Philips "Carousel", the Grand Prix winner in the Film category at the 2009 Cannes Lions.

Some conspiracy theorists, those with a particular skew towards advertising, might suggest that the King of Pop's death was timed to buoy what many were predicting to be a dull and lackluster Cannes.

Those theorists (admittedly fictional) would be as off target as those who figured that the absent heaving throngs of ad types would make the 2009 Lions an anemic and unnecessary experience.

Sure, Michael Jackson's untimely death provided an impromptu and unifying soundtrack that only the loss of an icon could achieve, but any sense that fewer people at the festival would dampen its success was quickly obliterated by quality programming and exceptional opportunities for more intimate and valuable networking. Not to mention it was worlds easier to order a drink.

On the social front, we made our foray into a proper Cannes beach bash on Friday night, which kept us away from the keyboards for our daily dispatches (apologies, but I'm sure you can understand). The casual but jam-packed night was punctuated by, what else, "Thriller", which turned the entire Plage Goeland into a common dance floor. An encore of "Billy Jean" left us all positively apoplectic.

On Saturday, judges of Titanium, Integrated and Film juries turned in a couple of thrilling results. First, the Film jury announced at an early morning press conference that Phillips "Carousel" would win the Grand Prix. Clearly the best piece of film work this year amidst an odd and largely disappointing list (why did so many of the Silvers feel like Golds and so many Golds feel, well, just wrong?), the Grand Prix winner was thrilling for other reasons. First, that an online-only film with well-integrated interactivity won the top Film award further signals the future direction of the industry. Secondly, and more personally, "Carousel" was produced by Stink Digital, which is led by former Boards associate editor Mark Pytlik. To say we're proud of our own PYT would be an understatement. Yes, that was us yelling from the balcony. Way to go, buddy!

Other highlights from the winning Film work included Golds bestowed on James Boag Draught's "Pure Waters", Sagami Rubber's "Love Distance", T-Mobile "Dance" and Breast Cancer Research Trust "Dying Old". Notable Silvers include Nike "Fate" (no Gold, really?), adidas "Break-up Service", Careerbuilder.com "Tips" and Shelter "House of Cards". Jury president David Lubars made note at the beginning of the awards that the jury was giving a special commendation to Wassup 08 "True Vote", a redux of Charles Stone's 2000 "Wassup" for Budweiser that was not technically eligible for a Lion.

The Palme D'Or this year went to Thai production company Phenomena, followed by Smuggler and Hungry Man in second and third, Academy and O-Positive in a tie for fourth, MJZ, Partizan, Rattling Stick and Wanda Productions in a four-way tie for sixth, and Argentina's Landia in 10th. Agency network of the year was BBDO followed by DDB, Leo Burnett and Ogilvy & Mather. Agency of the year was DDB Brazil, followed by ALMAPBBDO Sao Paulo and DDB&CO. Istanbul, a list largely fuelled by success in print.

Next, the Titanium and Integrated jury made a bold move by unanimously awarding both Grand Prix awards to a campaign that, ultimately, had very little to do with advertising in the traditional sense: the Obama Presidential Campaign. Jury president David Droga of Droga5 noted that Titanium should "celebrate those great ideas that are made better by all its touch points" and should honor "ideas that create a movement".

The remaining work in the Titanium and Integrated categories are what we at Boards consider to be some of the year's best work. Titanium Lions went to Burger King Whopper Sacrifice, "The Great Schlep" for the Jewish Council for Education and Oasis Dig Out Your Soul. Gold Integrated awards went to The Zimbabwean Trillion Dollar campaign and Sprint's Now Network widget.

While it's true that numbers were certainly down at Cannes (indeed, we had half of our usual editorial presence, making for a hefty workload), the connections made felt more significant and kudos must be given to the festival's organizers who produced probably the best lineup of content we've seen to date.

Now that the festival's over and we're trickling back to normal life, one that exists quite happily without rosé, keep looking back to Boards for video footage of our week in Cannes, including an exclusive sea-side video with Grand Prix winner Adam Berg.

With that, off to sleep and detox. Safe travels home and thanks to all who entertained. Until next year! RIP MJ.