Cannes Lions announces first speakers

70th edition will see a curated programme of world-class experts, challengers and disruptors from across the spectrum of creativity

Angelica Munson, Danai Gurira, Gilson Rodrigues, Johanna Faries, Les Binet, Michael Johnson, Michelle Gass and Tiffany Rolfe are confirmed

The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has announced the first wave of speakers confirmed to take to the stages in June. The 70th edition will see a curated programme of world-class experts, challengers and disruptors from across the spectrum of creativity.

Jenni Middleton, SVP/Editor-in-Chief, LIONS, said about the programme, “Every year our open call for content attracts a wealth of submissions and this allows us to bring together the brightest minds and most inspiring speakers from across the globe. For our 70th edition, speakers will represent the full creative marketing spectrum. Collectively the speakers will provide a future-facing view and provide actionable advice for all delegates. At the heart of this year’s Festival, we will champion and continue to make the case for creativity, and we will ensure that the global community leaves with the tools and evidence they need to demonstrate that creativity drives progress for business, people and society.”

Impactful creativity 
Impactful creativity and the role that creativity can play in supercharging sustained commercial growth will be addressed throughout the Festival. The programme will feature Michelle Gass, President, Levi Strauss & Co., who will share how the 150-year old brand made their product the hero with their new global creative platform, "The Greatest Story Ever Worn"; Tiffany Rolfe, Global Chief Creative Officer, R/GA, who will encourage people to rethink how we build a digital world - joining forces with the creators of the world’s best tech on stage; and adam&eveDDB’s, Group Head of Effectiveness, Les Binet, who will join a session alongside Molson Coors and DDB Worldwide to demonstrate how to use the principles of effectiveness, brand fame and creativity to develop impactful, deep relationships with diverse audiences to yield stronger, long-term business results.

Creativity can come from anywhere 
Offering a breadth of opinions and ideas, speakers will come from across the creative spectrum - including the rapidly evolving and powerful worlds of Gaming and Sport. With gaming revolutionising the entertainment industry and influencing popular culture, Johanna Faries, SVP, GM, Call of Duty, Activision Blizzard, will give the inside scoop on navigating this fast-moving industry, including how to harness the creative injection brought to the creative marketing industry by gaming. From the sporting world, Michael Johnson, four-time Olympic Gold Medallist will show how brands and organisations can engage with the Olympic movement by using the athlete voice more powerfully.

Smashing stereotypes
Revealing the stories of how she combats stereotypes in her career, her roles, and her life - and now through her work with the Unstereotype Alliance - award-winning actress, playwright and UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Danai Gurira will unveil how brands and creatives can turn DE&I intention into action.

A Global Festival 
Angelica Munson, Global Chief Digital Officer, Shiseido Group, will show how bringing DE&I into a company’s DNA can do more than transform culture - it can deliver genuine business transformation too. While Gilson Rodrigues, President, G10 Favelas reveals how social entrepreneurship can lead to a boost in fortunes. 

Many more speakers will be announced in the coming weeks with the full programme launching on 18 April 2023. 

Pass options to attend Cannes Lions, including the new Creative Brand Marketer Pass which is exclusively for brands, are available on canneslions.com. Cannes Lions takes place between 19 - 23 June in Cannes, France.