The Ad Council at Cannes Lions 2025
We’re thrilled to be kicking off another impactful year at Cannes Lions! Join us throughout the week to learn what’s possible when we come together around complex issues and celebrate the power of storytelling to drive real change. See you there!
Monday, June 16
The New Playbook for Mental Health
When: Monday, June 16, 8 – 10am
Where: Stagwell SPORT BEACH (52 Boulevard de la Croisette)
RSVP by invitation only
Check out what else is happening at SPORT BEACH here
Find out how you can get involved in the biggest mental health movement of our time at an exclusive, invite-only breakfast with some of the top marketers in the country. Kick off your week with the Ad Council, Stagwell and 72andSunny for an inside look at a new effort harnessing the power of sports to transform the face of mental health for good. Hear from leaders at the heart of this growing movement to bring together the biggest brands, the biggest athletes and the biggest moments in sports for a new playbook on mental health in America. Unlock what’s possible when we come together to shape culture beyond the field and “Love, Your Mind.”
An Industry First: Brand Studios Unite to Drive Change
When: Monday, June 16, 3:30 – 4pm
Where: The Washington Post Lounge (29 Rue du Commandant André)
Register for the Washington Post Lounge here
In a groundbreaking collaboration with the Ad Council, The Washington Post Creative Group and T Brand, the content studio of New York Times Advertising, are joining forces for The Number One—a new effort raising awareness that gun injuries are now the leading cause of death for children and teens in the U.S. This session offers a behind-the-scenes look at how top brand studios are coming together, using emotive storytelling to break through polarization and drive meaningful change.
Speakers:
Vida Cornelious (SVP, Creative & Strategy, The New York Times)
Gemma Floyd (Global Head of Advertising Sales, The Washington Post)
Michelle Hillman (Chief Campaign Development Officer, the Ad Council)
Tuesday, June 17
The Power of the Trusted Messenger
When: Tuesday, June 17, 12 – 12:30pm
Where: The FQ Lounge (Hotel Martinez - Suite 731)
Register for The FQ Lounge here
Incredible things can happen when we expand the influencer ecosystem to include our audiences’ most trusted circles. From athletes and content creators to parents and health care providers, discover how trusted messengers are playing a critical role in tackling issues like mental health, gun violence and more. Join this dynamic discussion to hear firsthand from the leading voices using their unique platforms to bring critical resources and messaging to the communities they serve like never before.
Speakers:
Robin Arzón (VP of Fitness Programming & Head Instructor, Peloton)
Lauren Carlini (LOVB Madison Athlete & Olympic Medalist)
Ramon Soto (SVP, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Northwell Health)
Lisa Sherman (President & CEO, the Ad Council)
Ad Council, The New York Times, Yahoo! Cocktails and Conversation
When: Tuesday, June 17, 5 – 7pm
Where: Motel Yahoo! at Martinez Beach (73 Boulevard de la Croisette)
RSVP by invitation only
Please join the Ad Council, The New York Times and Yahoo for cocktails on the beach with a welcome from Kat Downs Mulder, Senior Vice President & General Manager of Yahoo News and a fireside chat from The New York Times featuring DealBook’s Andrew Ross Sorkin, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini and Michael Barbaro, host of The Daily, and Joy Robins, Global Chief Advertising Officer.
Speakers:
Michael Barbaro (Host, “The Daily,” The New York Times)
Kat Downs Mulder (Senior Vice President & General Manager, Yahoo News)
Meredith Kopit Levien (CEO, The New York Times Company)
Joy Robins (Global Chief Advertising Officer, The New York Times)
Dianna Russini (Host of Scoop City; Senior NFL Insider & Reporter, The Athletic)
Andrew Ross Sorkin (Writer at Large, DealBook, The New York Times)
Rob Wilk (Chief Revenue Officer, Yahoo!)
Lisa Sherman (President & CEO, the Ad Council)
Wednesday, June 18
Barry’s on the Beach Mental Health Moment
When: Wednesday, June 18, 8 – 10am
Where: Influential Beach (La Mandala Beach, Boulevard de la Croisette)
RSVP by invitation only
Check out what else is happening at Influential Beach here
Unlocking Hidden Barriers for Sustainable Brands
When: Wednesday, June 18, 10:30am – 12pm
Where: Deloitte Apartment (7 Boulevard de la Croisette)
RSVP by invitation only
Brands have a significant opportunity when it comes to engaging consumers in sustainable products... but the path to success might be different than you think. Recent trends in consumer behavior unveil that advancing sustainable commitments alone won’t secure a brand’s competitive advantage. In a live recording of The CMO Podcast, the Ad Council Research Institute and Deloitte will give an exclusive first look at a new study on consumer perceptions of brand sustainability, unveiling insights that can help marketers and executives unlock more effective brand strategies around sustainable products.
Speakers:
Nelson Kunkel (Chief Marketing Officer: Sustainability, Climate & Equity, Deloitte)
Sherry Weiss (Chief Marketing Officer, Dow Jones)
Derrick Feldmann (Managing Director, Ad Council Research Institute)
The Key to Gen Z: Communicating Through Purpose
When: Wednesday, June 18, 12:30 – 2pm
Where: Hearst House (29 Rue du Commandant André)
Register for Hearst House here
Gen Z doesn’t just want brands to incorporate purpose, they demand it. Reaching this critical audience goes beyond the message—it’s about recruiting the right messengers. Join the Ad Council, Hearst Magazines and UTA Next Gen to explore how we can bridge influence and authenticity to reach Gen Z with the messengers they trust, on the issues that matter most. This dynamic conversation will bring together leaders in storytelling for Gen Z and social impact advertising to uncover best practices for connecting creativity with cause and tapping into the power of trusted messengers.
Speakers:
Willa Bennett (Editor-in-Chief, Cosmopolitan and Seventeen)
Shaina Zafar (Executive, UTA Next Gen)
Paula Veale (Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, the Ad Council)
The Creative Solution to Meaningful Change
When: Wednesday, June 18, 5 – 6:30pm
Where: Microsoft Beach House (Ondine Cannes, 64 Boulevard de la Croisette)
Register for Microsoft Beach House here
Creativity has the power to drive societal change, even around the most complex issues. In this discussion, join Microsoft, the Ad Council, IPG and Ogilvy for an honest look at the convening power of bold creative ideas and the process for crafting high-engagement storytelling that unites and uplifts.
Speakers:
Mark D'Arcy (CVP and Global Creative Director, Microsoft AI)
Susan Credle (Global Creative Advisor, IPG and Former Global Chair & CCO of FCB)
Rafael Rizuto (Chief Creative Officer North America, Ogilvy)
Michelle Hillman (Chief Campaign Development Officer, the Ad Council)