Brendan
Gaul
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company
McCANN
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position
Global Chief Entertainment Officer, McCANN & Global President, TRAVERSE32
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website
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when
Tuesday 7 Oct 17:35
about the speaker
Brendan Gaul is Global Chief Entertainment Officer at McCann Worldgroup, where he develops original narrative, unscripted, and theatrical projects.
An award-winning producer, his work has been honored at Cannes Lions, Festival de Cannes, Sundance, Tribeca, and is included in MoMA’s Permanent Collection. Gaul produced the groundbreaking documentary 5B—the first brand-funded film selected by Cannes—earning a Lions Grand Prix and other top honors.
His recent credits include the 2025 Cannes Lions Film Grand Prix-winning short The Final Copy of Ilon Specht, DEAR SANTA (film and Hulu series), and Queen of New York. With a career spanning McCann, UM, and IPG Mediabrands, he has built globally recognized content. He lives in Connecticut with his husband, their son, and their dogs and chickens.
when
at ciclope
For over 50 years, L’Oréal Paris has been defined by its iconic tagline, “Because I’m Worth It”, with its bold statement of female empowerment. The phrase was written in the 1970s by brilliant but little-known Ilon Specht at McCann, then one of only a few women in advertising to be a copywriter.
Directed by two-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker, Ben Proudfoot, and produced by Breakwater Studios, with Traverse 32 and McCann, The Final Copy of Ilon Specht provides an intimate account of the work of an unsung advertising genius. Producer Brendan Gaul will join us in Berlin, to dive into the making of a documentary that explores how the iconic tagline still resonates today, and allows audiences candid glimpses of Ilon’s extraordinary life and fiery spirit.