The LBB & Friends Beach: Cannes Content Programme 2026
We’re returning to the sunny shores of Cannes for the LBB & Friends Beach - five full days of networking, learning, and connection at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity 2026.
Now in its 15th year, the LBB & Friends Beach was founded in 2010 with a simple mission: to make the Cannes experience easier, more accessible, and more enjoyable for our community. The idea was straightforward - create a relaxed, welcoming space within the festival where industry leaders, advertisers, and creative professionals could come together to meet, eat, and unwind.
With the support of returning content partner MurphyCobb, back for a fourth consecutive year, we’ll deliver a packed programme of inspiring panels and beachside conversations, bringing together some of the industry’s most influential voices throughout the week. Read on to find out all we have in store Monday 22nd June - Friday 26th June.
LBB invites its company members to submit names for the LBB Beach guest list.
FIND OUT HOW TO REGISTER FOR THE BEACH HERE
PLEASE NOTE: Some speakers and panels are yet to be announced and this page will be updated as the line-up evolves, so make sure to check back in!
Jump to:
MONDAY 22nd
10:00 - Beach Opens
10:30 - 11:15 LBB Presents: The CMO Growth Compass: Navigating Conflict, AI, and the New Global Consumer
Marketers already had their plates full. 2026 has piled a whole lot more onto their to-do lists, from figuring out how to optimise their brands for AI agents to navigating the macroeconomic fallout from conflict and disruption. So as Cannes 2026 kicks off, we’re gathering a panel of top CMOs to find out focusing their energies, and what do they need from their partners? Read more here.
Moderator: Matt Cooper, CEO and founder, Little Black Book
Panellists:
- Behnaz Ghahramani, Senior VP/President Marketing, Marriot
- Rustom Dastoor, EVP, Marketing and Commmunications, Americas, Mastercard
- Chris Rodi, Global Vice President of Marketing, Pedigree & Dog Portfolio, Mars Pet Nutrition
11:30 - 12:15 LBB Presents: Can You Build a Future-Fit Business in the AI Era?
In the scramble to adopt and embrace new tech, are we setting up our businesses and the industry for future success? With AI mopping up entry level jobs, are we cutting off our talent supply? How do we make sure we’re nurturing the next generation of tastemakers? And then there’s the question of cost - can we make the most of new technologies without becoming so hooked that we’re stung by the inevitable price hike? Our panel of business leaders, AI experts and sceptics discuss having your AI cake and eating it. Read more here.
Moderator: Laura Swinton Gupta, editor in chief, Little Black Book
Panellists:
- Wesley Ter Haar, Co-Founder, Monks and chief AI officer
- Jason Day, Head of EMEA, LUMA
- Johnny Rohrbach, Founder, Head of Global Partnerships and Preparations, Silverside AI
- Laura Jordan Bambach, Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Uncharted Studio
- Tim Katz, Managing Partner, Knucklehead
- Ben Clark, Executive Director, Global Creative Solutions – TransPerfect, The Mill
12:30 - 13:15 LBB Presents: The Infinite Stage: How Media Owners are Powering 2026’s Most Creative Work
Truth and trust are in short supply, but inspiration doesn't have to be. While the industry grapples with the 'Slop Age,' a new wave of media innovation is proving the platform itself can be the most powerful creative tool in a brand’s arsenal. Whether it’s the immersive scale of 3D OOH, the intimate power of audio, or the ‘analogue’ resurgence of print, media is taking centrestage. We’ve invited a diverse group of media owners and a top CCO to dig into how the best media companies are helping brands cut through the noise with ingenuity. Read more here.
Moderator: Brittney Rigby, managing editor AUNZ, Little Black Book
Panellists:
- Tusar Barik, senior vice president, marketing, New York Times
- Kellie Espina, head of creative strategy, Americas, Spotify
- Mark Bucknell, chief commercial officer, JCDecaux
- Jennifer Carey, director of media and effectiveness, Channel 4
- Samira Ansari, Chief Creative Officer, Grey US
13:30 - 14:15 Panel Presented By MCA: The Generative Revolution: From Prompt to Production
Stop talking about what AI might do and see what it is actually doing for global brands. We pull back the curtain on the vendors re-inventing the canvas, demonstrating how high-end assets are generated from scratch using ethical, high-velocity generative workflows.
Moderator: Simon Sikorski, President, MurphyCobb
Panellists:
- Michele Gauthier, VP Production NA and LATAM, Shutterstock Shutterstock
- Carl Addy, Co-Executive Creative Director, Mayda
- Andrew O’Dell, Co-founder, Silverside
14:30 - 15:15 Panel Presented By Claritas: When Creative Meets the Algorithm: Who’s Really Driving Performance?
Today’s conversation builds on a fundamental shift: AI is no longer just powering media execution - it’s increasingly determining how campaigns are optimised end-to-end, from audience and channel decisions to the creative itself.
As AI takes on a more central role in optimisation, the critical question isn’t simply how to use it - but what signals are informing it, how those signals translate into decisions, and where marketers must maintain control to ensure outcomes are both effective and accountable.
In this session, we’ll explore how robust, accurate performance insights are becoming the foundation for continuous optimisation across the entire campaign lifecycle - connecting media, creative, and measurement in a single feedback loop. We’ll examine how brands and their partners are moving beyond siloed optimisation toward holistic campaign orchestration, where creative variation, audience targeting, and media investment are dynamically aligned to drive growth.
Moderator: Don, Sklenka, SVP of AI Optimization, Claritas
Panellists:
- Cliona Hayes, Senior Director of Brand Marketing, Indeed
- Will Double, Executive Director, Global Client Lead, WPP
- Paul Frampton - Calero, CEO, Goodway Group
- Danielle Kramer, SVP of Sales, GroundTruth
- Dawn Williamson, CRO, Comcast Advertising
- Alexa Ritacco Raff, CMO, goop
15:30 - 16:15 Panel Presented By Sounds Profitable: Riches vs Niches: A discussion about the value of community in podcasting and where smaller shows can deliver big results
The biggest opportunity in podcasting isn’t always the broadest reach - it’s the deepest category ownership. This panel explores how creators who dominate a vertical are commanding premium CPMs, loyal subscription bases, and deal structures that rival legacy media. From hosting and distribution to ad monetisation and subscriptions, the companies here are building the infrastructure that turns category-defining shows into durable media businesses.
- Mike Reznick, President and COO, SoundStack
- Chris Peterson, VP of Business Development, Red Seat Ventures
- Billy Hartman, Head of Revenue, ART19
- Elsie Kaplan, VP of Partnerships, ADOPTER Media
15:00 - 16:00 Sponsors Welcome Drinks
16:00 - 17:45 Happy Hour Sponsored by Bauer Media Outdoor
Join for networking and refreshments at the Bauer Media Outdoor Happy Hour.
16:00 - 17:45 LBB Presents: THE FEED Q2
On Monday 22nd June, LBB and Omnicom Production invite the global Cannes community to the LBB and Friends Beach for a special showcase and panel discussion focussed on the outstanding social media and community-based work of Q2 2026.
Hosted over the LBB & Friend's Beach legendary Happy Hour, guests can expect to enjoy drinks on arrival before a short panel and screening of the campaigns selected by its Creative Council. The council is made up of a world‑class group of creative leaders from some of the most influential companies shaping culture today, including TikTok, Meta, Reddit, Snap, Spotify and many more. See the full creative council for this edition of The Feed here.
The panel discussion will see Matt Cooper, LBB’s founder and CEO, host a panel of experts in a quick-fire discussion on the evolving media landscape and why the migration of ad spend means social is now wholly inextricable from advertising.
Moderator: Matt Cooper, CEO & Founder, Little Black Book
Panellists:
- Jo Cotton, Chief Executive, Omnicom Production
- Christina Miller, Chief Social Officer, EMEA VML
- Kay Hsu, Head of Global Creative Lab, Spotify
- Andrea Ogunbadejo, Global Head of Production, VaynerX
Schedule:
Arrival & Happy Hour: 16:00
Panel Start Time: 16:30
Screening Start: 17:15
Screening End: 17:45
17:45 - 18:00 Beach Closes for Wristband Holders
18:30 - 21:00 Aussie Cannes Welcome Party In Partnership with Bear, Revolver, Rumble and ACA
PLEASE NOTE:This event requires a separate ticket from any LBB wristband for daytime events. If you work in Australia or New Zealand or are a native to these countries who is currently working abroad, email events@lbbonline.com to request more information.
21:00 Claritas & Partners: World Cup Match Screening
Claritas are inviting guests to come and start Cannes by networking on the beach as the sun goes down. Football fans and non-fans alike can watch the match, or find plenty of space to carry on networking and enjoy the evening as everyone eases into the week. Not bad work, if you can get it. RSVP HERE
TUESDAY 23rd
9:30 - 10:15 Panel Presented By Ad Association: From Gen Z to Gen Zalpha: The Attention Generation
As the industry continues to debate how younger audiences are reshaping marketing, attention is turning to Gen Zalpha, the 13-19 year olds coming of age in a world of permanent connectivity, platform fluidity and limitless choice.
This session will tease early findings from new research from Channel 4 into this generation’s online worlds, set to launch later this year, as we unpack the implications of the research for marketeers.
Moderator: Melda Simon, UK Chapter Lead, Unstereotype Alliance
Panellists:
- Katie Jackson, Chief Marketing & Audience Officer, Channel 4
10:30 - 11:15 DR PEPPER BABY! Keeping the Fandom Humming and the Brand in Motion | How Dr Pepper Turned 140 Years of Legacy into One of the Year's Biggest TikTok Moments
On Tuesday 23rd June at 10:30 am Troy Ruhanen, Global CEO and Chairman, Omnicom Advertising, Drew Panayiotou, Chief Marketing & Innovation Officer, Keurig Dr Pepper, and Ryan Lehr, Co-Chief Creative Officer, Deutsch will convene on the LBB & Friends Beach to discuss how Dr Pepper turned 140 Years of legacy into one of the year's biggest TikTok moments.
For 140 years, Dr Pepper has built a brand around one-of-a-kind fans. From college football to the FYP, the brand has turned heritage into lore, creating ideas, characters, and worlds that people want to be part of.
When creator Romeo Bingham posted an organic 11-second TikTok singing, "Dr Pepper baby, it's good and nice," the internet took notice. Rather than simply chasing a viral moment, Dr Pepper recognized it as a pure display of fandom. Working alongside Deutsch, the brand moved quickly to pivot and place the fan generated anthem on the brand’s largest stage. By taking a TikTok ear worm to the College Football Playoff National Championship, Dr Pepper turned a creator's jingle into a national moment.
Moderator: Troy Ruhanen, Global CEO Omnicom, Advertising
Panellists:
- Ryan Lehr, Co-Chief Creative Officer, Deutsch
- Drew Panayiotou, Chief Marketing & Innovation Officer, Dr Pepper
11:30 - 12:15 Panel Presented By EACA: VoxComm Exchange: Let’s talk about The New Agency Model
Panel Discussion with some of the most influential representatives of the industry. Get to know the key highlights we have to share about the new VoxComms' guidance paper: 'Recognising the Agency Value Model', from EACA's CEO and VoxComm president, Charley Stoney. Request your Guide here
Moderator: Giorgos Vareloglou, co-founder and managing partner, REBORRN
Panellists:
- Floriane Tripolino, CEO, WPP Open X
- Justin Thomas-Copeland, CEO, 4A's
- Patricia Corsi, Chief Growth Officer, Kimberly-Clark
12:45 - 13:30 Panel Presented By MikeTeevee: Senior In-House Creative Leadership: The Brand Priority No One Can Ignore
Is in-house creativity the next great competitive advantage for brands?Is in-house creativity the next great competitive advantage for brands?
This panel brings together senior in-house creative leaders from global brands to get honest about what it really takes to lead creativity from the inside.
We'll explore how in-house roles are evolving, the importance of connecting creative work to commercial outcomes, and what brands really want from agency partnerships.
At its core, this discussion is about creative leadership and why it must be a priority for brands wanting to remain relevant and distinctive.
Moderator: Ellen Utrecht, founder and EP, MIKETEEVEE
Panellists:
- Xanthe Wells, VP, Global Creative, Pinterest
- Cat van der Werff, Executive Creative Director, Canva
- Danielle Hawley, Head of Global Creative & Brand, UBER
- Kirsten Rutherford, Executive Creative Director, Doordash
14:30 - 15:15 LBB Presents: Mark Ritson’s Secret to Profit and Trust: Audio
Professor Mark Ritson will take the stage with brand new global research, proving audio’s disproportionate power in supercharging commercial impact. In research conducted specifically for this session, Mark and System1 analysed 1,250+ Effie campaigns spanning the UK, Ireland, US, and Europe. Read more here.
The evidence is the kind you cannot unhear.
His presentation will be followed by a fireside chat between:
- Andrew Tindall, System1 chief growth officer, who worked with Mark on the research
- Brittney Rigby, LBB AUNZ managing editor
The evidence is the kind you cannot unhear.
15:30 - 16:15 Panel Presented by Sounds Profitable: Why After 20 Years, Podcasting Is Finally Getting the Attention It Deserves
Podcasting has been building quietly for two decades and the industry is finally having its mainstream moment. This panel brings together the infrastructure builders, measurement pioneers, and brand strategists who have watched the medium evolve from niche hobby to legitimate media channel. From programmatic pipes to proving ROI, they'll unpack what actually changed, why now, and what it means for advertisers who are only just starting to pay attention.
Panellists:
- Anne Frisbie, SVP of Global Business Development, AdsWizz
- Cameron Hendrix, Co-Founder at Magellan AI
- Krystina Rubino, GM of Offline Practices at Right Side Up
- Rick Selah, Chief Revenue Officer at Libsyn
16:00 - 18:00 Happy Hour Sponsored By The Mill
16:00 - 17:30 LBB Presents: The Monthly Cut 014 Cannes
Little Black Book’s sell-out screening series continues its global tour, landing right on the iconic Croisette for an unmissable beach edition. Taking place during the legendary happy hour, the Cannes screening marks a major milestone for an initiative that, in just over a year, has become a powerful barometer for global creative excellence. Read more here.
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- 16:00 - 16:30: Drinks & welcome
- 16:30 - 17:00: Screening
- 17:00 - 17:45: Drinks & networking
WEDNESDAY 24th
09:00 - 09:45 Panel Presented By EACA - Don’t Lose the Magic: How to Harness Effectiveness at Scale
Welcome & intro by Christian de La Villehuchet
Moderator: Charley Stoney, CEO, EACA
Panellists:
- Myralda Derks, Chief Customer and Business Intelligence Officer, L’Oréal
- Begonia Fafian, Global VP, The Coca-Cola Company
- Jane Ostler EVP, Global Solutions Marketing and Thought Leadership, Kantar
09:45 - 10:15 Panel Presented By EACA - Purpose at Scale: Effective Advertising Across Europe
Moderator: Charley Stoney, CEO, EACA
Panellists:
- Tommaso Mangiarotti, Client Manager at Dentsu Creative and EACA Young Board Co-Chair
10:30 - 11:00 Panel Presented By Mark Allen & Co.: How Do You Build a Confident Brand?
Brands that walk with confidence attract everything – customers, partners, talent, and capital. Confidence isn't just a feeling, it's a signal. Consumers, partners, and markets can sense when a brand knows exactly who it is and what it stands for, and they respond to it. This session explores how marketing leaders build and project that confidence through positioning, creative conviction, and the consistency that turns a brand point of view into a competitive advantage.
Panellists:
- Rhonda Hiatt, CEO , M+C Saatchi Consulting
- Michael Nyman, Founder and CEO, Acceleration Community of Companies (ACC)
- Ali Cox, Founder and CEO, Noble West
- J. Brooks, Founder and CEO, GlassView
- Edmond Handwerker, CMO, APR
- Paige Grossman, Vice President of Global Brand and Creative, Ancestry
11:00 - 11:30 Panel Presented By Mark Allen & Co.: Why Playing It Safe Could Be The Biggest Danger To Your Brand
In a market where AI is flattening differentiation and consumers are drowning in content, the riskiest move a brand can make is the cautious one. Hedging and softening isn't avoiding failure, it's accelerating irrelevance. This session brings together C-Suite leaders who’ve led with boldness when the safer path was right in front of them.
Panellists:
- Charles Ifegwu, Founder, Convergence
- Peter Sloterdyk, CMO, Gist
- Lauren Austin, CCO, MKG
- Mark Tevis, EVP, Revry
- Nadja Bellan-White, CEO, M+C Saatchi NA
11:30 - 12:15 Panel Presented By Bauer Media and Hearts & Science: Do Category Entry Points finally settle the brand vs. performance debate?
Brand versus performance has been one of marketing's biggest arguments for more than a decade. Budgets, priorities and measurement frameworks have all been shaped by it. This session - bringing together experts from a variety of disciplines - makes the case that Category Entry Points (CEPs) offer a means for brand and performance to work together to drive growth.
Research presented last year at Cannes reinforced the premise that brands fail because they’re not thought of. And most choices are formed before consumers enter active consideration. CEPs explain how that pre-decision advantage is built: through consistent mental availability across the situations, needs and moments that matter most to buyers.
For marketers, the appeal of CEPs are that they are measurable, trackable and tied to market share growth - making them an excellent way to connect long-term brand building with shorter-term activation.
Rather than asking "how do we move consumers down the funnel?" we need to ask: "across the full range of situations in which our category is relevant, where is our brand mentally available — and where is it not?"
With marketing investment under increasing scrutiny, this session will show how CEPs can be employed across the marketing mix - with Allwyn, operator of the UK’s National Lottery, bringing real examples of how CEPs have played a key role for one of the UK’s most culturally embedded brands.
Moderator: Krissie Ford, Director of Client Strategy, Bauer Media.
Panellists:
- Simon Carr, Hearts & Science, Chief Strategy Officer
- Steve Parkinson, Allwyn UK, Brand and Marketing Director
- Lindsay Rapacchi, Bauer Media, Research and Insight Director
12:30 - 13:15 LBB Presents: "A World of Weird: Why We Can’t Get Enough of Absurdist Humour
Cuts, cost of living perma-crisis, politics and apocalyptic AI predictions. Oof. It’s a bit grim right now. But at least adland has managed to retain its sense of humour. One of the big trends to emerge from LBB’s Immortal Awards and The Monthly Cut is the rise and rise of absurdist comedy from around the world - and audiences and judges alike can’t get enough of it. This panel showcases some of the funniest work to emerge from around the world this year - and the creatives behind it. Read more here.
Moderator: Laura Swinton Gupta, Editor in Chief, Little Black Book
Panellists:
- Taylor Erin, ECD, Instacart
- Luis Madruga Enriquez, CCO, VML Mexico
- Manuel Borde, CCO, VML Commerce
- Pete Khoury Asia, CCO, Omnicom Advertising, Asia
- Tomás Ostiglia, ECD, LOLA Madrid
13:30 - 14:15 LBB Presents: Behind the Brief: The Calls That Made (or Saved) the Work
Attention is the scarcest resource in advertising, and most creative briefs are still being decided the same way they were ten years ago. In this live, interactive session, Taide Guajardo (global chief brand officer at P&G) opens the room before Kelly Gordon (With Not For) and walks through five real creative decisions from one of this year's most anticipated new campaigns.
The audience considers vatious options, the panel reveals what actually happened, why it worked, and the practical takeaway you can use in your next brief. Leave with a usable toolkit for sharper, more effective work and a fresh angle on the audiences you are already paying to reach. Some of this year's sharpest creative thinking is coming from accessibility led decisions, and this session shows you how.Read more here.
Moderator: Alex Reeves, managing editor, EMEA, Little Black Book
Panellists:
- Kelly Gordon, Co-Founder & CEO, With Not For
- Taide Guajardo, Chief Brand Officer, P&G
- Bobi Carley, Director, ISBA
- Michelle Yeadon, Chief Product Officer, Responsible Marketing Advisory
- Emma Gardner, Co-Founder and COO, With Not For
14:30 - 15:15 Craft + Curation: Why Weaving in Real-World Moments Creates Impactful Advertising
Join moderator Stephen Colvin, CEO of Trusted Media Brands and its viral video licensing division, Jukin, as he brings together a powerhouse line up of creative industry leaders on the LBB & Friends Beach for a discussion on the role authentic content plays in creating highly impactful advertising. This session will explore why brands that invest in genuine, human-led storytelling are seeing tangible returns, from stronger audience engagement and deeper consumer loyalty to demonstrably improved revenue performance.
The panel will bring together world leading brand marketers and agency creatives with content production experts and content creators.
Moderator: Stephen Colvin, CEO, Trusted Media Brands, Jukin
Panellists:
- Sergio Lopez, CEO, Omnicom Production
- Tass Tsistsopolous, Global Executive Strategy Director Wieden + Kennedy
- Cindy Chen, Art Content Creator
- David Freeman, Founder & CEO, Kynetic Media Ventures
15:30 - 15:50 Panel Presented by ICCO & PVBLIC Foundation /UNOOSA: Earth, Seen from Space: The Story We’re Still Not Telling
"The most powerful image in human history may still be Earth from space. Once limited to astronauts through the “Overview Effect,” that perspective now helps humanity see Earth’s living systems at scale. Space-based intelligence is shaping decisions across governments and industries, while creating a new frontier for culture and creativity. This session explores how the view from orbit can transform how we communicate about nature, resilience, and the future of life on Earth."
Moderator: Terry Savage, The Marketing Academy Chair, London International Awards
Panellists:
- Dr. Sian Leo Proctor, Visionary Artist, Futurist, Explorer and Astronaut
- Sergio Fernandez de Cordova, Executive Chairman, PVBLIC Foundation
15:50 - 16:10 Panel Presented by ICCO & FIBEP World Media Intelligence Association: AI Is the New Media: Evolving Media Intelligence for PR Measurement
This panel explores how to support PR strategies and build reputation in the age of AI. As AI evolves from a tool into a powerful media channel shaping brand visibility, traditional approaches are no longer enough. The discussion will focus on how media intelligence—enhanced by real-time AI capabilities—can measure visibility across both traditional media and LLMs, enabling more effective and impactful PR strategies.
Moderator: Magdalena Horanska, Secretary General, FIBEP | CEO at NEWTON Media
Panellists:
- Gregory Galant Co-Founder and CEO at Muck Rack
- Florian Laszlo, CEO, OBSERVER, GmbH Brand Intelligence
16:10 - 16:30 Panel Presented by ICCO & Worldcom PR Group: Words Matter, People Matter: The Importance of Bringing a Local Perspective to Global Communications
This session explores how brands and communicators can build authentic audience engagement in an increasingly AI-saturated media environment. Supported by multinational research across up to 40 countries, the initiative examines where trust truly lives today, how audiences perceive AI-generated content, and which platforms, formats and communication approaches remain most credible across local markets.
Moderator: Patrik Schober, Managing Partner, PRAM Consulting
Panellists:
- Bill Imada Chief Collaboration Officer and CEO, IW Group, Inc.
- Leigh McKenzie, Director of Online Visibility, Semrush
- Elisa Lesieur, PR Director, Yucatan Relations Publicis Paris
16:30 - 16:50 Panel Presented by ICCO & University of South Carolina: The Future of Trust: How AI, Sport and Storytelling Are Shaping Brand Power
In an economy where human creativity and AI work side by side, sports are redefining connection. Emotion, authenticity, and cultural relevance drive fandom, while technology and storytelling transform how games are experienced and how brands build loyalty. As data and creativity converge, leaders across media, marketing, and academia must balance scale with humanity and prepare the next generation to lead.
Moderator: Kristin Walker, Professor, University of South Carolina
Panellists:
- Tom Reichert Dean, University of South Carolina
- Suzy Deering CEO, Publicis Sports
- Rosalyn Durant, Executive VP, Programming & Acquisitions, ESPN
16:50 - 17:10 Panel Presented by ICCO & Kruger Media + Kaizzen Communication: "Make Some Noise“ - Go bold with Experiential PR in the AI Age
As AI floods every channel with content, brands face a new challenge: how do you stay culturally relevant when everyone can generate noise? This panel explores why experiential PR is becoming one of the most powerful tools in modern communication — creating moments people don’t just scroll past, but actually feel, share and remember.
At the center of this shift: PR and creators. As trust in traditional advertising declines and content becomes increasingly automated, PR gains new relevance through credibility, cultural context and real-world storytelling. At the same time, creators have evolved from media extensions into cultural amplifiers — turning experiences into conversations that travel far beyond the event itself.
From cultural stunts and immersive brand worlds to creator-led experiences and earned-first storytelling, we discuss how brands can break through the algorithmic sameness of the AI era. Featuring insights from campaigns at the intersection of culture, technology and entertainment, the session highlights why bold ideas, human connection and unforgettable experiences are becoming the true competitive advantage.
Moderator: Constance Fontaine, Business Development, Agence Cartel
Panellists:
- Michael Frohoff, Founder and CEO, Kruger
- Vineet Handa, Founder and CEO, KAIZZEN
- Lisa Airasca, Head of Charter, Management Europe, Fraser Yachts
17:10 - 17:30 Panel Presented by ICCO & M&A Advisory: Agencies of the Future in an AI Age: Beyond the Technology
How AI will be involved in management of agencies and how these agencies will be ready to be sold or how new set up of management of agencies will influence the price of agencies.
Moderator: Tina McCorkindale, CEO, IPRA
Panellists:
- Nita Song, CEO, IW Group
- Arun Sudhaman, CEO, ICCO
- David Blois, Founder and Managing Partner, M&A Advisory
16:00 - 18:00 Happy Hour Sponsored by Bauer Media
THURSDAY 25th
09:30 - 10:30 Panel Presented By Ad Association: Creativity Under Pressure: Making Work That Actually Works
In an era of AI-generated content, fragmented attention and relentless performance pressure, what does truly effective creativity look like now?
This session brings together leading creative voices to explore how big ideas are evolving, and why human insight and craft matter more than ever. From harnessing AI as a creative partner to building work that earns attention across platforms and drives measurable impact, the panel will share how agencies are redefining the relationship between creativity, media and effectiveness.
Expect a candid conversation on what’s changing, what isn’t, and how brands can create work that people actually care about in 2026.
Moderator: Tobi Asare, partner, AAR
Panellists:
- Xavier Rees, Group CEO, AMV BBDO
- Matt Gay, Executive Creative Director, adam&eveDDB
- Noel Bunting, Chief Creative Officer, Publicis London
10:30 - 11:15 LBB Presents: A Question of Taste
As AI booms, taste and discernment are being positioned as the ultimate human differentiator. That’s all well and good on an individual level but when you're leading creative on global brands looking to reach everyone on the planet? Join our panel of global creative leaders to find out how they cultivate taste and how they deploy it at scale.
Moderator: Zhenya Tsenzharyk, Managing Editor, Editorial Strategy, Little Black Book
Panellists
- Nils Leonard, Founder, Uncommon
- Justine Armour, Chief Creative Officer, International 72andSunny
- Danilo Boer, Global Creative Lead & Partner, McCann
- Franki Goodwin, Chief Creative Officer, Saatchi & Saatchi
11:30 - 12:15 Panel Presented By MCA: Putting Content to Work: The Post-Production Power Shift
Making the content is only half the battle; making it work is where the value lies. This session focuses on the "performance layer" of production—using AI to audit, localise, and adapt hero assets to ensure they resonate in every market and on every platform without multiplying the budget.
Moderator: Jessica Myers, Managing Director, EMEA, MurphyCobb
Panellists:
- Ben Clark, Global Executive Director Creative Solutions, Transperfect
- Sam Yates, Chief Solutions Officer at AI Studios, Jellyfish
- Misha Pimenov, Chief Growth Officer, Wantent.io,
12:30 - 13:15 Panel Presented By TogetherWith: What Brands Can Learn from the Rise of Latin Culture
Latin culture has evolved into a global growth engine, propelled by artists like Bad Bunny, Karol G, and Rauw Alejandro and cemented on stages like the Super Bowl and Coachella. This panel unpacks how cultural relevance is built at the intersection of music, media, and brand strategy, and what brands and agencies need to understand to engage authentically with one of the most influential audiences shaping global marketing today.
Moderator: Florencia Franceschetti, Managing Director, TogetherWith
Panellists:
- Flor Palazzolo, Partnerships and operations for Rauw Alejandro, Civil Mafia
- Gisella Fu-Ripp, SVP of Sales, Strategic Partnerships, LatiNation Media
13:30 - 14:15 LBB Presents: The Artisans of Advertising: Why the Independent Maker Scene Still Dominates Craft
With their ingenuity and peerless polish, independent makers are still stealing the show when it comes to the world’s most celebrated creativity. Speakers from some of the most innovative independent production and post houses demonstrate what a thriving independent craft scene does for the broader standard of creativity and craft, explore the evolving value of human craft at a time when technology is reshaping creative production, and share the secrets of some of this year’s most beautiful work. Read more here.
Moderator: Addison Capper, Managing Editor, Americas, Little Black Book
Panellists:
- Dustin Callif, President, Tool
- Joel Simon, Founder, JSM Music
- Taj Critchlow, Founder / Managing Partner, FELA
- Natalie Arnett, Global Managing Partner, Riff Raff
14:30 - 15:15 Sooooo… What Even Is An Agency in 2026?
The language of advertising is struggling. The simple enough vocab that we’ve used for years to describe the companies that make up the industry just doesn’t seem to cut it any more. There are holding companies doing everything they can not to be holding companies. Production companies that look suspiciously like agencies. Indies with footprints and capabilities to rival any network. New micro-holding companies bubbling up in surprising places. And hoardes of roaming loan wolves and two-three people mercenary bands doing the work of agencies. This session pulls together leaders from across the industry to discuss these evolving business models, where they’re going and what the heck we should call them.
Moderator: Laura Swinton Gupa
Panellists:
- Laurent Ezekiel, Global CEO, The Ogilvy Group
- Madison Wharton, COO Residence
- Tahira White, Founder, 19th & Park and 1Park9
- Nicole Rowett, Managing Director, New York, Mother
- Jackie Stevenson, Chief Global Strategy and Innovation Officer, M+C Saatchi Group
15:30 - 16:15 LBB Presents: Calling the Shots: The Women Leading the Future of Production
Production is in the C-suite and clients now realise that it is the key to driving growth. Meanwhile, production is also undergoing convulsive change, from AI to new operating models. Making high-impact work for clients while navigating change and protecting craft requires grit and vision. Meet the women who are leading the industry through uncharted waters as they reveal practical insights into where creative production is headed next. Read more here
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Moderator: Matt Cooper, CEO and founder, Little Black Book
Panellists:
- Laura Davis, Chief Client Officer, Publicis Production
- Melissa Tifrere, Chief Production Officer, Havas Creative
- Azahara Ramos, Production Director, Omnicom Production Spain
- Ali Brown, President, PRETTYBIRD
- Claire Young, CEO, Girl & Bear
16:00 - 17:45 Happy Hour
16:30 - 17:15 LBB Presents: Radical Creativity: Resisting the Commodification of the Big Idea
CMOs should stop buying assets and start buying answers. Creativity has been commodified as fodder for brands’ endless appetite for content. But with creatives on hamster wheels, competing with AI to pump out endless stuff, are marketers really getting the most transformative thinking from their partners? Our panel of independently-spirited swashbucklers make the case for radical creativity.
Moderator: Alex Reeves, managing editor, EMEA, Little Black Book
Panellists:
- Ana Balarin, CCO, Wieden+Kennedy London
- Megan Lally, CEO, Highdive
- Micah Walker, Founder & CCO, Bear Meets Eagle on Fire
- Dave Horton, CCO & Partner, Special U.S
- Alex Schill Global, CCO, Serviceplan Group
17:45 - 18:00 Beach closes for wristband holders
18:00 - 21:00 Celebrate at Sunset: 15 Years of the LBB & Friends Beach
BY PRIVATE INVITATION ONLY: To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the LBB & Friends Beach we're inviting 200 people from the creative community to join us for sunset drinks. We want to say a cheers to our biggest supporters and raise a glass (or two!) to the creative industries.
PLEASE NOTE: This event requires a separate ticket from any LBB wristband for daytime events. If you are one of our close connections, please check you inbox for an invitation.
FRIDAY 26th
10:00 - 12:45 Beach opens and final wristband collection
13:00 - 16:00 Spirit of Indie Lunch
BY PRIVATE INVITATION ONLY: Cannes Lions, Little Black Book, The Indie at Large Group and Rascal are hosting a special lunch event on Friday 26th June @ 1pm - The Spirit of Indie Lunch. The concept is simple: to bring together 100 people from all over the world to chat, listen and mingle with fellow independent agency folk and brands. Ticket holders will see out Cannes together on the LBB & Friends Beach with a Mediterranean buffet, drinks and networking followed by a 2-hour happy hour bar.
PLEASE NOTE: This event requires a separate ticket from any LBB wristband for daytime events but if you work at an independent brand or independent agency or a Cannes Lions Classic Challenger or Classic Start-up Pass holder and would like to go into a ballot for free tickets, you can apply via this form.
16:00 - 18:00 Happy Hour
Happy hour is open to all LBB wristband holders.
Content Sponsor: MCA - Murphy Cobb Associates: We are global production investment experts. We use innovation to support and drive value for clients in the creation of the most effective ecosystems.
LIA - Created for Creatives: A global awards festival that sets the benchmark for
creativity by bringing together the world’s best creative thinkers annually and funding a global training academy for young creatives.
The Advertising Association: We are the trade body for the UK advertising industry, representing UK advertisers, agencies, media owners, and tech companies.
Bauer Media Outdoor: Home to iconic publishing and audio brands and helping advertisers reach consumers through Out-of-Home assets, while providing public services and infrastructure solutions.
Broadsign: The platform that powers OOH. Where media owners and buyers come together to plan, manage, and transact out-of-home advertising.
Claritas: Identify. Deliver. Optimize. Meet better prospects. Market more precisely. Improve your ROI.
Mark Allen & Co.: A leading public relations firm specialising in managing the reputation of global brands, AI innovators, and top creative, experiential, and media companies.
Shutterstock Studios: A global end-to-end production partner transforming any concept into reality.
Sounds Profitable: A global trade association for the podcast industry.
Creatively Squared: The paid social creative system for global brands, built beyond the limits of traditional models for what social advertising actually requires. Media creates the opportunity to see your ads, Creatively Squared makes them work.
Nomix: Nomix Group delivers Commerce, Everywhere through performance media solutions to help brands and publishers capture intent, drive conversions and scale revenue across AI, creators and integrated search.
Jukin Licensing: Jukin finds, clears the rights to, and curates the top 1% of the world’s viral videos for advertisers to use in their campaigns. Through licensing compelling and impactful user generated content, we help brands harness the power of authentic human storytelling.
AudioStack Cannes Lions EACA - European Association of Communication Agencies
ICCO - International Communications Consultancy Organisation KEEP Luma AI
Mike Teevee Silverside The Mill TogetherWith VCCP G&B Project
