Marketers at Cannes Lions discuss their expanding list of responsibilities, AI’s threat to creativity and the importance of having a CMO on the C-suite

The crosscurrents of discussion at Cannes Lions were hot topics for leaders during Day 2 of Variety in the C-Suite in collaboration with Canva.

For the first time, a growing number of CMOs are thinking about creative more broadly than creative agencies.

AI’s rapid expansion is reshaping how brands balance personalization and broad reach, creating new challenges and opportunities for marketing relevance.

Cannes Lions moved from anxiety to action in 2026. Hear how AI, creator strategies and gaming ad formats evolved—and what the shifts mean for marketers.

Marketers at Cannes Lions discuss their expanding list of responsibilities, AI’s threat to creativity and the importance of having a CMO on the C-suite

Day 3 of the Variety in the C-Suite in collaboration with Canva featured more lively discussion with marketing pros from Fox Entertainment, BBC, Mattel and more.