Ignite Creativity with Monks at Cannes Lions 2025

Event Details

Here's what you can expect this year from Monks.

• Les Monks Café

• Offsite Programming

• AI Now Sessions

• Les Monks Café

  • Brand is Back: Brand Storytelling & Consumer Impact

    Join us for a compelling conversation on the power of brands to move audiences responsibly and shape culture. Hear directly from industry leaders as they share how they are not only reaching audiences, but also influencing cultural conversations through the strength of their brand presence.

    • When: Monday, 16 June
    • Time: 17:30
    • Where: Les Monks Café 5 Sq. Mérimée
    • Speakers: (Moderator) Anna Magzanyan, President, LA Times Studios; Lauren Wood, President, The Yogi Foundation; Ziad Ahmed, Head of Youth Strategies, UTA; Adam Faze, Influencer and Founder of Gymnasium; Amy Powell, President, VICE Studios

    Register interest

  • Fireside Chat with Commonwealth Fusion Systems: Fusion Is The New F Word: HotAF

    Get an inside look at how Commonwealth Fusion Systems is shaking up the energy conversation. In this dynamic fireside chat, CMO Joe Paluska and Creative Director Jennine Willett sit down with Kristen Berke, VP of Branded Content Partnerships at the LA Times, to reveal the bold strategies behind making fusion energy relevant and accessible to consumer audiences.

    • When: Monday, 16 June
    • Time: 18:15
    • Where: Les Monks Café 5 Sq. Mérimée
    • Speakers: (Moderator) Kristen Berke, VP, LA Times Studios; Joe Paluska, CMO, Commonwealth Fusion Systems; Jennine Willett, Creative Director, Commonwealth

    Register interest

  • The Future of Creativity & AI: A Fireside with Sir Martin Sorrell & will.i.am

    Discover how industry pioneers are redefining collaboration and innovation at the intersection of imagination and technology. From democratizing knowledge to transforming global culture, learn how these trailblazers are shaping the future of human creativity. This is your front-row seat to a visionary dialogue on the power of AI, and the next frontier of influence.

    • When: Tuesday, 17 June
    • Time: 10:45
    • Where: Les Monks Café 5 Sq. Mérimée
    • Speakers: Sir Martin Sorrell, Executive Chairman, S4 Capital; will.i.am, Founder & CEO, FYI.AI

    Register interest

  • Knowledge is Power: The Real ROI of Media Transparency in the Era of AI

    Today’s CMOs need a Bloomberg Terminal for their brand content: real-time, always-on and fully transparent. This session explores why media transparency isn’t a nice-to-have but a business imperative, and how true performance visibility starts with end-to-end collaboration between brands and platforms.

    • When: Tuesday, 17 June
    • Time: 17:30
    • Where: Les Monks Café 5 Sq. Mérimée
    • Speakers: (Moderator) Linda Cronin, EVP, Global Head of Media, Monks; Jay Pattisall, VP, Principal Analyst, Forrester; Millie Chu, Sr Director, Media Analytics, T-Mobile; Meredith Zhang, Measurement Partner, TikTok

    Register interest

  • Future-Proof or Fall Behind: The AI Investments That Build Resilient Brands

    Smart technology investments are crucial for ensuring business resilience and growth, especially in uncertain times. This panel explores how forward-thinking companies leverage AI-driven solutions, such as generative AI for content creation and performance optimization, to unlock efficiencies and reduce costs. Join AWS, Monks, NVIDIA, and more to uncover how integrating cutting-edge technology and agile methodologies can drive sustained growth in challenging economic times.

    • When: Tuesday, 17 June
    • Time: 18:00
    • Where: Les Monks Café 5 Sq. Mérimée
    • Speakers: (Moderator) Lewis Smithingham, SVP of Strategic Industries, Monks; Matt Carter, Head of Industry, AWS; Jamie Allan, Director, AdTech & Digital Marketing Industries, NVIDIA; Bobby Mohr, Vice President of Revenue, Twelve Labs; Christian Fraser, Broadcaster, Writer, BBC; Caitlyn Rourke, Partnerships + Business Development, Leonardo.Ai

    Register interest

  • Playing in Perfect Sync: Orchestrating AI and Creative Intelligence

    As marketers face mounting pressure to deliver high-quality, consistent content at speed and scale across a fragmented digital landscape, experts from Monks, NVIDIA, and AWS will join together on stage to discuss how orchestration partnerships are transforming marketing operations by consolidating the content supply chain through AI-driven innovation and platforms like Monks.Flow.

    • When: Wednesday, 18 June
    • Time: 17:00
    • Where: Les Monks Café 5 Sq. Mérimée
    • Speakers: (Moderator) Bruce Biegel, Senior Managing Partner, Winterberry Group; Jon Williams, Global Head of Agency Partner Development, AWS; Matt Groshong, Business Development Director, AdTech & MarTech, NVIDIA; Dave Carey, Global EVP Studio & Embedded Solutions, Monks; Victoria Milo, SVP, Media Solutions & Emerging Technology, Monks

    Register interest

  • Where Creativity Meets Automation: AI and the Future of Marketing Workflows

    In this session, we’ll explore how the evolving relationship between creativity and AI-driven automation is transforming marketing workflows. We’ll discuss the symbiosis among foundational creative workflows, generative AI and AI-powered agents to create a more intelligent, responsive marketing ecosystem.

    • When: Wednesday, 18 June
    • Time: 18:00
    • Where: Les Monks Café 5 Sq. Mérimée
    • Speakers: (Moderator) Tanya Bogin, EVP, Global Head of Studio, Monks; Hannah Elsakr, Intrapreneur, GenAI, Adobe; Pat Murphy, Founder / CEO, MurphyCobb; Olga Mykhaylenko, SVP Operations, Monks; Christine Maguire, Global Vice President, Tripadvisor

    Register interest

  • Timeless, Not Static: Evolving Brand Identity with Purpose

    Staying true to your core doesn’t mean standing still. We'll unpack the blueprint for maintaining relevance and evolving as an organization without sacrificing authenticity. Industry leaders will explore how they are refreshing their brand identities—not through reinvention, but through intentional, values-driven evolution.

    • When: Thursday, 19 June
    • Time: 17:30
    • Where: Les Monks Café 5 Sq. Mérimée
    • Speakers: (Moderator) Anna Magzanyan, President, LA Times Studios; Rob Fried, CEO, Niagen Bioscience; Brendan Ripp, CEO, Pushly; Meridith Rojas, CMO, VidaCorp North America

    Register interest

  • Digital Alchemy: Transforming Experiences Through AI

    As the pace of innovation accelerates, leading companies are no longer just adapting to emerging technologies—they’re boldly harnessing them to unlock new levels of empowerment for employees, deepen client engagement, and elevate experiences. In this forward-looking conversation, we explore how AI and next-generation tools are reshaping the very architecture of modern brand-building.

    • When: Thursday, 19 June
    • Time: 18:00
    • Where: Les Monks Café 5 Sq. Mérimée
    • Speakers: (Moderator) Anna Magzanyan, President, LA Times Studios; Ganesha Rasiah, Chief Strategy Officer, HP; Patrick Marzullo, Senior Director, Creative Studio, Coinbase; Karan Chetal, Chief Growth Officer, Technology Services, Monks

    Register interest

• Offsite Programming

  • The Female Quotient FQ Lounge: The New Business Imperative: Leading with Personalization

    1:1 personalization, once the holy grail of digital brand experiences, is now a competitive necessity for brands that want to lead in the new era of engagement. This panel welcomes leaders who are successfully implementing AI-powered strategies that deepen connections and foster loyalty for all customers.

    • When: Monday, 16 June
    • Time: 11:00
    • Where: The Female Quotient FQ Lounge - Hôtel Martinez – Suite 731
    • Speaker: Jordan Cuddy, EVP, Experience, Monks

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  • LBB Presents: In a Future of AI Agents, How Do Brands Advertise Differently?

    As artificial intelligence agents begin to mediate how people discover, access and interact with brands, the rules of brand building are up for reinvention. This panel brings together agency leaders, AI technologists and branding experts to explore what advertising looks like when machines - not just people - become your audience, gatekeeper and creative collaborator.

    • When: Monday, 16 June
    • Time: 15:30
    • Where: LBB & Friends Beach
    • Speakers: (Moderator) Alex Reeves, Managing Editor EMEA, Little Black Book; Tessa Conrad, Head of Innovation, TBWA\Worldwide; Debora den Iseger, SVP, Head of Content & Innovation, Global Studios, Monks; Caitlin Ryan, Creative Partner, Dentsu Creative; Antonis Kocheilas, Global Chief Transformation Officer, Ogilvy

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  • Brands&Culture: Will AI Dehumanize Culture? How Brands Can Move Beyond the “Meh” to Create Genuine Community AI

    AI is omnipresent: in business, in society and in culture. It affects how we live our lives, how we interact and how we show up. It affects how brands show up too - but is it for better or for worse? In a sea of potential algorithmic sameness, our panelists will explore what role brands have in creating and fostering genuine human connections beyond the obvious.

    • When: Tuesday, 17 June
    • Time: 12:30
    • Where: B&C Villa, 13 Avenue de Benefiat
    • Speaker: Aki Spicer, EVP, Strategy, Monks

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  • Landmark Ventures: In-Scene, In-Market, In-Demand – The Next Frontier of CTV for Brands is Seamless AI Product Placement

    We’re seeing strong momentum and high partner engagement around in-scene advertising, with Ryff emerging as a category leader in AI-powered virtual product placement. As budgets shift from the open web (where quality and impact are eroding) to CTV, the need for innovation is clear. Success in this next chapter depends on formats that go beyond standard pre-roll and overlays, unlocking premium inventory and deeper brand experiences.

    • When: Tuesday, 17 June
    • Time: 13:00
    • Where: Mady, Cannes 10 rue des Frères Pradignac
    • Speakers: (Moderator) Tom Triscari, Landmark Ventures & Quo Vadis Newsletter; Shirley Hughes, Head of Global Sales & Customer Experience, Ryff; Grant Gudgel, SVP Marketing, Verve; Linda Cronin, Chief Media Officer, Monks

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  • Inkwell Beach: The Secret Sauce to a Culture Partnership Done Right

    • When: Tuesday, 17 June
    • Time: 14:00
    • Where: Inkwell Beach, Vegaluna Beach
    • Speaker: Aki Spicer, EVP, Strategy, Monks

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  • OpenX: Curation Over Caution: Unlocking Campaign Performance in News

    Forward-thinking advertisers are partnering with the supply side and trusted curation platforms to align with premium content, engage high-value audiences, and support quality journalism. With the power of data, AI, and performance-driven tools, brands can uphold brand safety while driving stronger ad campaign results.

    • When: Tuesday, 17 June
    • Time: 14:45
    • Where: OpenX Meeting Suite, 3 Bd de la Croisette - Apartment 401
    • Speaker: Tony Katsur (Moderator), CEO, IAB Tech Lab; Victoria Milo, SVP, Media Solutions & Emerging Technology, Monks; Amanda Forrester, VP, Marketing, OpenX; Peter Yardley-Jones, VP Inventory Management & Yield Ops, BBC Studios; Alena DeSalvo, Vice President of Marketing, Sightly

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  • The Wall Street Journal House: Fireside Chat on The AI Imperative and Navigating Economic Uncertainty

    Our CMO lunch will be featuring Martin Sorrell, Executive Chairrnan of S4 Capital, who will bring over five decades of experience in the advertising world and will share his insights on how Al is reshaping marketing and what companies must do to prepare for this seismic shift. This will be followed by a conversation with Track and Field Olympians Tara Davis-Woodhall, and her husband Hunter Woodhall will share how they have leveraged their athletic success and fanbase to support business opportunities.

    • When: Wednesday, 18 June
    • Time: 12:30
    • Where: Journal House
    • Speaker: (Host) Wendy Bounds, SVP and Head of Content for The WSJ Leadership Institute; Sir Martin Sorrell, Founder & Executive Chairman, S4 Capital; Tara Davis-Woodhall, Olympic Gold Medalist; Hunter Woodhall, Paralympic Gold Medalist

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  • Fortune: How Women Are Using Tech, Data, and Bold Ideas to Build the Brands of Tomorrow

    In a world where static campaigns no longer cut it, today’s most forward-thinking creatives are turning brand storytelling into a real-time, tech-powered engine for growth. This high-impact session brings together powerhouse women marketing leaders who are redefining what it means to build a brand in the digital era.

    • When: Wednesday, 18 June
    • Time: 12:30
    • Where: Hotel Barrière Le Gray D’Albion - Terrasse du Gray 38 Rue des Serbes
    • Speaker: (Host) Ruth Umoh, Editor, Next to Lead, Fortune; Ekta Chopra, Chief Digital Officer, e.l.f. Beauty; Dara Treseder, Chief Marketing Officer, Autodesk; Deborah Heslip, Global Chief Client Officer, Monks

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  • World Woman Foundation: What Women Really Want from Brands

    This session, hosted by World Woman Foundation, explores what today’s women really want from brands beyond marketing buzzwords. How can brands build real, lasting relationships with women as consumers, creators, and changemakers? This panel will examine trust, authenticity, inclusion, and purpose through the lens of culture, commerce, and community.

    • When: Wednesday, 18 June
    • Time: 15:00
    • Where: Hotel Splendid
    • Speaker: Amy Luca, EVP Global Head of Social, Monks; Tatyana Lafata, Beauty Influencer and Content Creator; Ddnard Napattalung, Author, Investor, and Entrepreneur; Elspeth Ianson, OiC Head, Unstereotype Alliance Secretariat

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  • Brand Innovators Media Buying Forum: Trends in Media Buying: Hype Vs. Reality

    This will be a candid discussion and exploration into the latest trends in media buying -- from AI, to iCTV, retail media and more.

    • When: Wednesday, 18 June
    • Time: 15:00
    • Where: LVMH Villa (Villa Bagatelle) 9 Rue Mozart
    • Speaker: Brittany Clauss, Director, Advertising & Social Media Strategy, United Airlines; Steve Hartmann, Head of Integrated Marketing, Experian; Max Gropper, Chief Operating Officer, Media, Monks

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  • ADWEEK House: Unlocking a New World of Storytelling with GenAI

    What if AI could not only generate ideas, but also challenge, critique, and help you build an award-winning case? Join us for an exclusive fireside chat exploring the evolution from generative AI to truly agentic, collaborative partners. Drawing on key industry challenges and cutting-edge developments, discover how the agentic world is shaping up and empowering creatives to develop more resonant, relevant and impactful work. 

    • When: Thursday, 19 June
    • Time: 14:45
    • Where: Hotel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes - 10 Bd de la Croisette
    • Speaker: Henry Cowling, Chief Innovation Officer, Monks

• AI Now Sessions

  • AI Now Sessions

    Schedule an AI Now session led by an executive from our Innovation team to learn how to validate and scale your AI investments. To schedule, ask your favorite Monk to put you in touch, or reach out to cannes@monks.com.

  • Unified AI workflows are key to achieving today's marketing goals.

    The scaled integration of teams, capabilities and technology is instrumental in meeting the most vital needs of the CMO's agenda. Successful workflows unlock a cascade of growth, savings, efficiency and effectiveness.

  • Failure to implement AI workflows leaves value on the table.

    Extract new value from prior investments. Latent insights lie beneath the surface of your existing data, waiting to be found in service of profitable growth; don't leave them behind.

  • Realizing AI's promise relies on paying gains forward.

    Agencies dangle productivity gains before their clients while holding cost savings close to their chests. We're building the model that offers both to our clients, underpinned by service-level agreements and ongoing advisory.