Source: Libération, Vendredi 16 Mars 2007
In the article entitled “Présidentielle: L’appétit vient en croissant.” from the above newspaper, the expression “Tête d’affiche” is used.
Des réunions qui font le plein, même sans tête d’affiche.
The expression “Tête d’affiche” means:
The person who plays the main part. (Normally in a theatrical or musical context).
I personally like the expression “leading figure”. Hence the translation of the whole phrase could be:
The meetings are packed, despite the absence of the leading figure.