Cannes Lions returns at a moment of profound uncertainty — and opportunity — for the global marketing business. Artificial intelligence has moved from theoretical disruption to everyday reality, sparking fierce debate over the future of creative work, while the rise of online creators continues to reshape how brands connect with audiences. More than 500 speakers from across advertising, technology, entertainment and media will participate, including such headline names as uber-producer Jerry Bruckheimer, Traitors host Alan Cumming, Indian star Priyanka Chopra Jonas, actress-creator Hannah Stocking, fashion designer Stella McCartney and “Queen of All Media” Oprah Winfrey, who will receive Cannes Lions’ LionHeart Award in recognition of her decades-long influence on culture and social change. Among the tech and ad C-suite honchos set to attend are Apple senior vp Eddy Cue, Instagram chief Adam Mosseri, P&G chief brand officer Marc Pritchard and Unilever global marketing officer Leandro Barreto.
Cannes Lions CEO Simon Cook spoke to THR ahead of this year’s event about the challenge in harnessing AI as “an enhancer for creativity rather than a negative force,” how online creators are transforming the ad business and why Oprah embodies the Lions’ spirit.
