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©2026 The Ad Council
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The Ad Council at Cannes Lions 2026

We’re returning to Cannes Lions for another impactful year and look forward to connecting throughout the week. Join us for moments rooted in purpose, meaningful connection, and conversations that spark fresh thinking and bring people together around ideas that matter.

Check back here for the latest on where we’ll be and follow along on @AdCouncil social channels for live updates throughout the week, including recorded content with our partners at PayPal Ads, Reddit, The Washington Post and more. For any inquiries, reach out to Events@AdCouncil.org. See you there!
Sunday, June 21, 2026 Monday, June 22, 2026 Tuesday, June 23, 2026 Wednesday, June 24, 2026 Thursday, June 25, 2026

Sunday, June 21, 2026

The Solstice Leadership Forum: Leadership in Full Light | Human + Machine Session
In partnership with Virtuosi League
When: Sunday, June 21, 3:00 - 3:45pm
Where: Château de la Croix des Gardes
RSVP by invitation only. Learn more here.
Speakers:
  • Heidi Arthur (Chief Campaign and Program Officer, the Ad Council)
  • Nadine Dietz (Co-founder and CEO, Virtuosi League)
  • Nathan Rosenberg (Chief Brand Experience & Marketing Officer, Virgin Voyages)


Monday, June 22, 2026

Beyond the Skills Gap: Building Teams That Can Keep Up With AI
In Partnership with LinkedIn
When: Monday, June 22, 3 - 3:30pm
Where: LinkedIn Rooftop (Carlton Rooftop - 58 Bd de la Croisette Cs 40052)
Speakers:
  • Michelle Hillman (Chief Campaign and Program Officer, the Ad Council)
  • Ekta Chopra (Chief Digital & AI Officer at e.l.f.)
  • Marissa Dacay (Global VP of Enterprise Marketing, Adobe)
  • Alyssa Merwin (LinkedIn) - moderator
  • Olivier Pilgerstorfer (CMO, IFS)


Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Tearing the Paper Ceiling Brunch
In partnership with the Financial Times
When: Tuesday, June 23, 11 - 1pm
Where: Nikkei FT Teahouse (11 Rue de Belges)
Request an invitation here.
Speakers:
  • Michelle Hillman (Chief Campaign and Program officer, the Ad Council)
  • Jonathan Adashek (Senior Vice President, IBM) - moderator
  • Brendan Spain (VP of Advertising, US, Financial Times) 
    • Dan Thomas, Global Media Editor, Financial Times

FQ CEO: The Making of a CEO
In partnership with The Female Quotient
When: Tuesday, June 23, 12 - 12:30pm
Where: FQ Beach (73 Bd de la Croisette)
RSVP to attend here.
Speakers:
  • Lisa Sherman (President & CEO, the Ad Council)
  • Eva Erdmann (CEO & Brand President, Kate Spade New York)
  • Christine Gambino (CEO, Omni)
  • Jean Laurent Poitou (Global Chief Executive Officer, Ipsos)
  • Shelley Zalis (CEO, The Female Quotient) - moderator

Inelastic Brands in an Elastic World
When: Tuesday, June 23, 3:30 - 4pm
Where: Vieux-Port de Cannes (exact location will be confirmed)
RSVP to attend here.
Speakers:
  • Laurie Keith (SVP, Emerging Media & Technology, the Ad Council)
  • Alastair Cotterill (Head of Creative Lab, Spotify)
  • Vince Lynch (CEO, IV.AI) - Moderator
  • Eric Oldrin  (Co-Founder, Original Model)

The Ad Council's Cocktails and Conversation
In partnership with Canva and The New York Times
When: Tuesday, June 23, 4:30 - 7pm
Where: Canva Creative Cabana at Vega La Plage (Lot C13 Bd de la Croisette)
RSVP by invitation only. Event details here.
Speakers:
  • Lisa Sherman (President & CEO, the Ad Council)
  • Rita Ferro (President, Global Advertising, The Walt Disney Company)
  • Jordyn Holman (Business Reporter, Corner Office, The New York Times)
  • Zach Kitschke (Global Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Canva)
  • Meredith Kopit Levien, President and CEO, The New York Times Company)
  • Joy Robins (Global Chief Advertising Officer, The New York Times Company)
  • Andrew Ross Sorkin (Founder and Editor at Large, DealBook, The New York Times)
  • Pablo Torre (Host, Pablo Torre Finds Out, The Athletic)

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

From Tokens to Health Credits: The Art of What's Possible
In partnership with BILT and Sharecare
When: Wednesday, June 24, 7:30 - 9am
Where: LVMH Villa
Limited space, RSVP here.
Speakers:
  • Heidi Arthur (Chief Campaign and Program Officer, the Ad Council)
  • Jeff Arnold (co-Founder and Executive Chairman, Sharecare; founder, WebMD)
  • Sam Bakhshandehpour (President of Merchants, Bilt – Moderator)
  • Anvita Karara (VP of Commercialization AI Strategy and Analytics, Bristol Myers Squibb)

IRL for Good: How Real-World Media Can Show Up for Mental Health
In partnership with OUTFRONT
When: Wednesday, June 24, 10 - 11:30am
Where: SPORT BEACH (52 Bd de la Croisette)
Request an invitation here.
Speakers:
  • Heidi Arthur (Chief Campaign and Program Officer, the Ad Council)
  • Brad Alperin (Head of Brand Solutions, OUTFRONT)
  • Damaune Journey (Global Chief Growth Officer, 72andSunny)
  • Stacy Minero (Chief Marketing & Experience Officer, OUTFRONT)
  • Jim Norton (Chief Revenue Officer, OUTFRONT)
  • David Sable (Vice Chairman, Stagwell)
  • Evin Shutt (Global CEO, 72andSunny)

How AI is Empowering People to Prevent Gun Injuries and Deaths
In partnership with DEPT ® and Microsoft
When: Wednesday, June 24, 4 - 4:30pm
Where: DEPT® Secret Garden (5 Rdpt Duboys d’Angers)
Request an invitation here.
Speakers:
  • Laurie Keith (SVP, Emerging Media, the Ad Council)
  • Sara Jerde (Managing Editor, Digiday) - moderator
  • Jennifer Kattula (General Manager and Chief Marketing Officer, Microsoft Advertising)
  • Carryn Quibell (CEO of the Americas, DEPT®)

Thursday, June 25, 2026

More Voices. Smarter AI: From AI Built for Women to AI Built with Women
In partnership with Microsoft
When: Thursday, June 25, 9:30 - 11am
Where: Microsoft Gardens (Ondine Beach, 64 Bd de la Croisette)
Request an invitation here.
Speakers:
  • DJ Perera (Chief Media Officer, the Ad Council) – moderator
  • Roy Armale (Chief Product Officer, DEPT)
  • Lekha Doshi (Vice President, GTM Operations, LinkedIn)
  • Mascha Driessen (Regional Vice President Continental Europe Global Media, Microsoft)
  • Dara Treseder (Chief Marketing Officer, Autodesk)