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The Ad Council at Cannes Lions 2024

We were thrilled to come together for our biggest-ever presence at Cannes Lions! With more than 20 panels and activations on topics including gun violence, mental health, and DEIB, it was a powerful opportunity to share insights and find new paths to create impact at this critical moment in our country’s history.

Monday, June 17

What CMOs Need to Know about the Mental Health Crisis

When: Monday, June 17, 9 - 10 am
Where: Stagwell Sport Beach, 52 Boulevard de la Croisette
RSVP here.

Join us for an exclusive look at the Ad Council’s Mental Health Initiative, including a preview of an important new study on how brands can communicate effectively around this critical topic and the “Love, Your Mind” campaign with Huntsman Mental Health Institute. Plus, get an exclusive sneak peek at Generation Flex, a documentary film from Men’s Health addressing body dysmorphia and mental health among young men.

Speakers:
Lisa Ryan Howard (EVP/Global Chief Revenue Officer, Hearst Magazines)
Rich Dorment (Editor-in-Chief, Men’s Health US)
Ryan Linder (Global Chief Marketing Officer, Stagwell)
Brandon Marshall (former NFL player & host, I Am Athlete podcast)
Heidi Arthur (Chief Campaign Development Officer, The Ad Council)



A League of Their Own: Sports Giants, Creators, and the Ad Council's Bold Move for Mental Health

When: Monday, June 17, 10:30 - 11 am
Where: Influential Beach, La Mandala Beach, Boulevard de la Croisette
Check out what else is happening at Influential Beach here.

In today's highly charged atmosphere, the power of sports continues to be an essential tool for engaging audiences on crucial issues like mental health. Major sports leagues are collaborating to amplify the Ad Council's initiatives in raising mental health awareness and impact. Join this discussion to hear from athletes who share a profound commitment in addressing this crisis by reducing stigma and changing the narrative around mental health. Join us to explore how sports serve as a universal language to address mental health challenges and provide support for millions.

Speakers:
Cody Irizarry (EVP, Strategic Partnerships, Influential)
Bianca Belair (WWE Superstar)
Montez Ford (WWE Superstar)
Johnny Townsend (2x All-American Football Player)
Anthony Signorelli (SVP, Corporate Partnerships, The Ad Council)



SXM Media’s Pass the Mic

When: Monday, June 17, 1 - 1:30pm
Where: The Female Quotient’s Equality Lounge, Hôtel Martinez, 73 Bd de la Croisette
Learn more about SXM Media’s Pass the Mic here.

Ad Council’s Group Campaign Director, Ro Patrick will be interviewed by Pass the Mic host Jocelyn Hudak about advice for future female leaders in media. Ro will share her journey in social impact marketing and insights from her time overseeing impactful communications efforts like gun violence prevention and the overdose crisis.



Lasting Legacy: A Conversation with Media Legends 

When: Monday, June 17, 2 - 2:30pm
Where: The Female Quotient’s Equality Lounge, Hôtel Martinez, 73 Bd de la Croisette
Learn more about The Female Quotient’s Equality Lounge here.

Digital transformation has reshaped the media industry, demanding innovation and agility for survival. This session cuts through the headlines to bring you a powerful conversation with the women who have paved the way for the current media landscape. Join us as they share their insights on navigating disruption, thriving under pressure, the power of paying it forward, and leaving a legacy.

Speakers:
Bozoma Saint John (Hall of Fame Marketing Executive, Entrepreneur and Author)
Orlando Reece (Head, Global Sales, Insider)
Maggie Milnamow (Chief Revenue Officer, Business Insider)
Wenda Harris Millard (Chairman, Sinecure.ai)
Janet Balis (Marketing and Growth Strategist, Independent Advisor)
Jerri DeVard (Founder and CEO, Black Executive CMO Alliance, BECA)
Lisa Sherman (President & CEO, The Ad Council)



Creativity for Good

When: Monday, June 17, 2:30 - 4pm
Where: Adobe’s Space The Majestic Hotel (10 Boulevard de la Croisette)
RSVP here.

Join us for a discussion about creativity, marketing magic, and meaningful work. This fireside chat between FCB, Ad Council, and Adobe will explore the brand impact, business benefits, and human connection that can emerge when brands place people and purpose at the center of their marketing.

Speakers:
Stacy Martinet (VP, Marketing Strategy and Chief Communications Officer, Adobe)
Mike Williams (Executive Creative Director, FCB New York)
Heidi Arthur (Chief Campaign Development Officer, The Ad Council) ​



From Content to Action: Creators and Campaigns for Inclusion

When: Monday, June 17, 3 - 3:30pm
Where: Whalar House, Cabana Row (above Meta Beach)
Check out what else is happening at Whalar House here.

This panel explores the intersection of creator-driven content and social impact marketing, focusing on the Ad Council’s Love Has No Labels campaign. Learn about the innovative strategies that creators are using to amplify this cause, engage communities, and drive real-world impact. Discover how the campaign has collaborated with creators to champion our shared humanity, promote love and inclusion, and confront discrimination, hate, and bias head-on. This session will provide insights into creating compelling, action-oriented content that transcends traditional advertising to inspire meaningful actions that create a more inclusive society.

Speakers:
Brittaney Kiefer (Creativity Editor, Adweek)
Bayyina Black (Global Director of Impact, Sustainability and Make Good, R/GA)
Carl Nassib (Former NFL Player)
Paula Veale (Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, The Ad Council)



Smokey’s 80th Birthday Party

When: Monday, June 17, 4:30 - 5:30pm
Where: Boat FCB, Jetée Albert Edouard

Susan Credle (FCB Global Chair & IPG Creative Advisor) and Ro Patrick (Ad Council’s Group Campaign Director) will kick off Cannes Lions with a toast to 80 years of Smokey Bear and the longstanding partnership between the Ad Council and FCB to reduce human-caused wildfires in the U.S. Join us for the celebration!


Tuesday, June 18

IPG and the Ad Council: Working Together to Make Lasting Impact

When: Tuesday, June 18, 8:30 - 9:30am
Where: IPG Common Ground, The Ruya Restaurant, Carlton Hotel
RSVP here.

The Ad Council’s mission is to convene the best storytellers to educate, unite and uplift. By opening hearts and inspiring action, together we accelerate change. IPG is proud to be a long-standing partner with The Ad Council. Join us to celebrate The Ad Council’s impactful campaigns and discuss how to incorporate diverse representation and inclusive storytelling within advertising in a way that is meaningful to truly make a lasting impact.

Speakers:
Susan Credle (FCB Global Chair & IPG Creative Advisor)
Marc Wilson (Executive Director of Strategic Inclusion, FCB Chicago)
Gail Heimann (CEO of the Weber Shandwick Collective)
Robin Forbes (Global CEO, R/GA)
Heidi Arthur (Chief Campaign Development Officer, The Ad Council)



Well-Being and Marketing Effectiveness in the Age of AI

When: Tuesday, June 18, 10 - 11 am
Where: Inkwell Beach, Vegaluna Beach, Boulevard de la Croisette
Check out what else is happening at Inkwell Beach here.

As AI continues to redefine the marketing landscape, it is crucial that we address the potential impact on consumer wellbeing and mental health, particularly through the lens of inclusion and equity. In leveraging AI, we as marketers have a responsibility to create engagement and experiences that reinforce positive emotions and behaviors, leading to more inclusive and equitable outcomes.

This panel aims to bring together industry leaders, experts, and innovators to explore the intersection of AI, wellbeing, and inclusion and equity in marketing. We will discuss the challenges CMOs, and agency leaders face in understanding the potential impact of their AI-driven campaigns on diverse identities and proposing practical solutions for incorporating inclusive design principles into their strategies.

Speakers:
Emily Graham (Global Chief Equity & Impact Officer, Omnicom)
Tony Hobley (Global Business Lead & Chief DE&I Officer, OPMG)
Carl Willoughby (the Chief Creative Officer of Hunt Lascaris)
Laurie Keith (VP, Emerging Media, The Ad Council)



Gun Safety Alliance Workshop: Culture Changing that Works & Implications for the Gun Safety Movement

When: Tuesday, June 18, 10 - 11am
Where: Gelato Junkie, 4 Rue Félix Faure

Speakers:
Brian Monahan (Global Client President, dentsu international)
Todd Haskell (Chief Marketing Officer, Hearst)
Johanna Mayer-Jones (Global Chief Advertising Officer, The Washington Post)
Mona Munayyer Gonzalez (Chief Growth Officer, Pereira O'Dell)
Ro Patrick (SVP, Group Campaign Director, The Ad Council)



Changing the Game Around Mental Health

When: Tuesday, June 18, 12:30 - 1pm
Where: Stagwell Sport Beach, 52 Boulevard de la Croisette
Check out what else is happening at Stagwell Sport Beach here.

Leading sports leagues and organizations are uniting to address mental health – leveraging their reach and influence to inspire everyone to prioritize their mental health as much as their physical health. This conversation will explore how 11 major sports organizations have come together with the “Love, Your Mind” campaign and Huntsman Mental Health Institute to create a more open, accepting and proactive society when it comes to mental health. Panelists will uncover what’s possible when we tap into the unique fandom of the sports industry and the power of advertising to address the mental health crisis. Join Heidi Arthur, Chief Campaign Development Officer, the Ad Council; Tim Ellis, CMO, NFL; Tammy Henault, CMO, NBA; Elliott Pettit, Senior Director of Retention & Brand, USTA; and Brandon Marshall, former NFL player & host of I Am Athlete podcast, for a discussion on how they are each rallying behind a shared mission to change the conversation around mental health – and how we all can play a role.

Speakers:
Tim Ellis (CMO, NFL)
Tammy Henault (CMO, NBA)
Elliott Pettit (Senior Director of Retention & Brand, USTA)
Brandon Marshall (former NFL player & host of I Am Athlete podcast)
Heidi Arthur (Chief Campaign Development Officer, the Ad Council)



Ad Council | The New York Times | Yahoo Cocktails and Conversation

When: Tuesday, June 18, 5 - 7 pm
Where: Yahoo! Beach at the Hôtel Martinez, 73 Bd de la Croisette
By invitation only (RSVP here).

Hosted by Lisa Sherman of The Ad Council, Elizabeth Herbst-Brady of Yahoo, Meredith Kopit Levien and Joy Robins of The New York Times, Ad Council Chair Emeritus Jacki Kelley of IPG and incoming Ad Council Chair Tara Walpert Levy of Google. Joy Robins, global chief advertising officer, The New York Times, will sit down with Michael Barbaro, host of "The Daily," Astead W. Herndon, national politics reporter and host of "The Run Up," and Andrew Ross Sorkin, founder and editor at large, DealBook, to broach the world ahead from all vantage points: the economy, the U.S. election and the toll that this takes on us. Join us for a wide ranging discussion about the collective action needed for a more prosperous future.


Wednesday, June 19

The Case for Inclusive Design

When: Wednesday, June 19, 11 am - 12 pm
Where: Mastercard Villa, 3067 Bd des Horizons
Check out what else is happening at the Mastercard Villa here.

In today’s market, inclusive design isn’t just about meeting the needs of a specific group, but rather creating products and programs that resonate with a diverse audience. Take curb cuts, originally intended for wheelchair users but embraced by parents with strollers and joggers alike. Similarly, voice assistants, initially designed for accessibility, have become indispensable tools for many. By prioritizing inclusivity, brands can tap into diverse markets, showcasing their commitment to accessibility and attracting a wider customer base. It’s not just about the product - it’s about the message it sends and the market it captures.

Speakers:
Cheryl Guerin (EVP, Brand Strategy & Innovation, Mastercard)
Bonin Bough (Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, GroupBlack)
Nina Warburton (Global Head of Design, Philips)
Katy Talikowska (Chief Executive Officer, The Valuable 500)
Elise James DeCruise (Chief Diversity Officer, The Ad Council)



Driving Connectivity for Global Impact

When: Wednesday, June 19, 12:30 - 1pm
Where: Uber Villa, 10 Rue Jean-Baptiste Dumas
Check out what else is happening at the  Uber Villa here.

Imagine a world where every piece of technology not only connects us but also elevates our potential to do good. Join us at the Uber Villa, in partnership with the Ad Council, for an insightful discussion on the role of technology in shaping a better tomorrow. “Driving Technology as a Force for Good” will explore how innovative tools and platforms are transforming our approach to global challenges.

During this session, we will look at examples of technologies that have significantly improved emergency responses, strengthened community support, and accelerated positive outcomes worldwide. Our distinguished panel will share insights on how these technologies serve not just as tools, but as partners in our collective mission to build more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient communities.

Speakers:
Ashan Khan (Head of US Agency Partnerships, Uber Advertising)
Brandon Marshall (Founder, IAMATHLETE)
Alison Moore (CEO, Comic Relief US)
Laurie Keith (VP, Emerging Media, The Ad Council)



Building a Sustainable and Supportive Ecosystem for Women and Girls in Sport

When: Wednesday, June 19, 2:40 - 3pm
Where: Women’s Sports House (Mougins)
Check out what else is happening at Women’s Sport House here.

This panel will focus on the infrastructure required to build a sustainable and thriving ecosystem for girls and women in sport.

Speakers:
Sarah Spain (Emmy & Peabody Award Winning Sports Journalist)
Danette Leighton (CEO, Women's Sports Foundation)
Peter Frintzilas (CEO, TeamSnap)
Anthony Signorelli (SVP, Corporate Partnerships, The Ad Council)



Moments of Hope: Brands Changing the Conversation around Emotional Wellness

When: Wednesday, June 19, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Where: Hearst House, 63 Boulevard de la Croisette

Join us for happy hour and an important conversation around the transformative power of empathy-based brand partnerships in creating sustained social impact and breaking the stigma around mental health.

Speakers:
Todd Haskell (SVP, Chief Marketing Officer, Hearst Magazines)
Laurie Lam (Chief Brand Officer, e.l.f. Cosmetics)
Leanne Hainsby (Cycle Instructor, Peloton)
Samantha Maltin (Chief Marketing & Brand Officer, Sesame Workshop)
Heidi Arthur (Chief Campaign Development Officer, The Ad Council)


Thursday, June 20

Equity Brunch - Reframing Mental Health Together Panel

When: Thursday, June 20, 9:30 - 11 am
Where: Microsoft Beach House (Main Stage), Ondine Plage 64 Boulevard de la Croisette
Learn more about Microsoft Beach House programming here.
RSVP Code: BHDMH24

The conversation around mental health is crucial, and our industry has a unique opportunity to help reshape it. Join industry leaders Lisa Sherman, President and CEO of the Ad Council, Drew Panayiotou, Global CMO of Pfizer, Carol Hutchinson, General Manager, Global Advertising of Microsoft and David Pugh-Jones, Chairperson and Trustee of Neurodiversity in Business, as they discuss the role that advertising plays in advancing a more equitable conversation around mental health. By sharing both personal stories and key messaging insights, they’ll uncover how honoring diverse perspectives on mental health in advertising can ultimately foster a culture of empathy and move the needle on this critical issue. Learn how normalizing mental health as an everyday priority can improve outcomes for everyone.

Speakers:
Lynne Kjolso (VP, Global Partner & Retail Media, Microsoft)
Carol Hutchinson (General Manager, Microsoft)
Drew Panayiotou (Global Chief Marketing Officer, Pfizer)
David Pugh-Jones (Chairperson and Trustee, Neurodiversity in Business)
Aaron Walton (CEO, Walton Isaacson)
Lisa Sherman (President & CEO, The Ad Council)



Vote for Brands
When: Thursday, June 20, 10 - 11 am
Where: Ipsos Beach, RTL Beach - La Croisette

2024 is a year of global elections where more than 4billion will be heard at the ballot box in more than 70 countries. The outcomes will be varied but one trend is clear: citizens place less trust in governments than brands. This trust vacuum presents an opportunity for brands to shine where parties and politicians fall short by addressing the macro ESG context and micro context of people. Hear how different brands are navigating this vacuum and meeting citizens where they are.

Speakers:
Dr. Emmanuel Probst (Global Lead, Brand Thought Leadership, Ipsos)
Clifford Young (President of Polling and Societal Trends, Ipsos)
Samantha Moore (Director Corporate Market Insights, Microsoft)
Myralda Derks (Chief Customer & Business Intelligence Officer, L'Oreal)
Elise James DeCruise (Chief Diversity Officer, The Ad Council)



Changing Perspectives and Going Beyond: Why Culture is the Key to the Future

When: Thursday, June 20, 12:50 - 1:20 pm
Where: Hotel Le Majestic, 10 Bd de la Croisette

In an era marked by rapid technological advancements and unprecedented global interconnectedness, understanding and harnessing the power of culture is more critical than ever. Panelists will explore how shifting our perspectives on culture can pave the way for innovative solutions and sustainable progress in every sector, regardless of where you are in the world.

Speakers:
Elizabeth Campbell (Vice President of Field & Culture Marketing, McDonald's)
Gilbert Davila (Co-CEO, DMI-Consulting, Co-Founder, AIMM)
Heidi Arthur (Chief Campaign Development Officer, Ad Council)



Tracing the Legacy and Future of Smokey Bear

When: Thursday, June 20, 4 - 4:30 pm
Where: Inclusion Cafe/ Infillion Stage, Mondrian Cannes Hotel, 45 Blvd de la Croisette
RSVP here.

2024 marks a significant milestone: the 80th birthday of Smokey Bear, America's enduring symbol of wildfire prevention. This year at Cannes Lions, join XR Extreme Reach and the Ad Council as we honor Smokey’s decades-long journey. This special session will delve into the rich history, creative triumphs, and technological advancements that have shaped Smokey over the last 80 years.

From his inception during World War II to the digital age, Smokey Bear has not only been a beloved figure but a pivotal messenger in wildfire prevention. This discussion will explore how Smokey’s message, "Only You Can Prevent Wildfires," has captivated and educated generations, thanks to the pioneering efforts of his creators and the enduring partnership between the Ad Council and creative agency, FCB – a partnership which continues to this day.

XR Extreme Reach, has played a vital role in delivering Smokey’s creative to every conceivable media outlet. XR Extreme Reach ensures that Smokey's message reaches a broad audience by making his creative spots accessible and viewable to all audiences, including those with hearing impairments, and by seamlessly connecting him with media partners across the spectrum. This includes traditional broadcast networks like NBC, which has been a staple in disseminating Smokey’s message since the dawn of television, as well as cutting-edge digital platforms. This capability has been instrumental in keeping Smokey’s message prevalent and poignant in public consciousness.

Looking forward, the incorporation of new technologies ensures that Smokey’s message is both adaptable and resonant with diverse audiences worldwide. As we celebrate the legacy of Smokey Bear at Cannes Lions, we also anticipate future innovations that will continue to propel his mission forward, making his message even more powerful and relevant in the years to come.

Speakers:
Meredith Brace (CMO, XR Extreme Reach)
Jamie Madge (Co-Editor, Shots, XR Extreme Reach)
Todd Sussman (Chief Strategy Officer, FCB)
Laurie Keith (VP, Emerging Media, The Ad Council)