Cannes Lions Recap: From Boardroom Breakthroughs to Beachfront Buzz
Another Cannes Lions is in the books, and this year brought together the worlds of sport, media, tech, and culture in a way that felt especially powerful. From high-profile panels to rooftop conversations, our CEO, Jamie McLaughlin’s, week on the ground was packed with standout moments that sparked new ideas and deeper connections across the industry.
Standout Scenes
SportsBeach set the tone early, with a commanding appearance from Serena Williams that celebrated both legacy and leadership. Diplo’s high-energy set lit up the beach, drawing a massive crowd, thanks to Yahoo! The momentum continued with a powerful conversation between Billie Jean King and e.l.f. Beauty CMO, Kory Marchisotto, offering honest reflections on equity, influence, and building something greater than yourself. Across the way at Medialink Beach, industry heavyweights including Draymond Green, Aaron Gordon, and Virgil van Dijk made appearances, keeping the buzz going.
One of the most talked-about moments came from the panel with Fara Leff (Klutch Sports) and Julian Jacobs (UTA), where insights around talent representation, cultural relevance, and strategic influence offered a fresh perspective on where this space is headed.
Peak Programming
Beyond the beaches, the week delivered across rooftops and boardrooms. Our cocktail hour with Archive brought together a vibrant, packed crowd of changemakers—an evening marked by meaningful introductions, creative energy, and conversations that carried well into the night.
Burson and Axios’ roundtable event sparked cross-sector dialogue, with leaders like Jamie diving into what’s next for media, marketing, and reputation. The panel was attended by companies like United Airlines, Reddit, and Dow Jones. T-Mobile’s intersection activation brought an immersive edge to the week, pairing live panels and digital installations with some of the most refreshing conversations of the festival.
With the PTTOW! crew, things got deeper. From real-time hiring conversations to strategic discussions at the board level, it was a space for substance, reminding us that at the heart of all the buzz is a shared commitment to building lasting, values-driven work.
The week closed with an unforgettable afternoon hosted by Oscar Charlie x Meta, where great food, sharp minds, and thoughtful conversation rounded out the experience with vision.
All in all, Cannes 2025 brought the industry together in a way that felt urgent, exciting, and rooted in real connection. Until next year… Au revoir!
