Jess Zafarris

Jess Zafarris

Jess Zafarris is the author of two books, Once Upon a Word and Words from Hell, with a third forthcoming in 2025. She has contributed to three other books on topics such as social media and gaming. In the past year, she has been quoted in The New York Times and The Guardian, profiled in The Boston Globe, and interviewed on NPR and BBC World Service Radio. She speaks at conferences about writing careers and social media strategy. After 15 years in B2B and enthusiast media, she went independent to write and create content for organizations including Dictionary.com, PR Daily, Writer's Digest, and Indie Agency News, as well as a host of communications and advertising agencies. Her podcast, Words Unravelled, has reached more than 2.5 million listeners, and her etymology videos are followed more than 100,000 word lovers.

Show Off: This One’s for the Losers

Red line drawing of a smug donkey showing off in a beret and smoking a cigarette, with the text “Le Dîner des Perdants Cannes” below it.

Welcome to our weekly roundup of the latest and greatest from IAN members. If you’re reading this, odds are you’re gazing wistfully at the latest updates from your Cannesed colleagues and contemporaries. But fear not, entertainment and enlightenment await below.…