Cannes Lions has always been more than an awards festival. It's where the industry's most influential leaders come together to discuss what's next for brands, agencies, media, and marketing leadership.

This year, we're excited to be part of several conversations exploring the future of the CMO role, the evolving independent agency landscape, and the leadership principles that drive growth in an increasingly complex marketplace.

Whether you're looking for fresh perspectives, meaningful networking opportunities, or candid discussions about where our industry is headed, we'd love to connect.

Confessions of a CMO 

CMO Dinner with Uncensored CMO’s Jon Evans and Mark Riston

We’re bringing together Uncensored CMO podcast’s Jon Evans and global brand consultant Mark Riston for an off-the-record conversation fueled by our Confessions of a CMO research. We’ve booked a private villa far enough off the Croisette to turn down the noise, brought in a renowned Chef, and invited 25 of the world’s leading senior brand marketers. This is the third year we’ve hosted this dinner, and guests consistently say it’s one of their favorite events of the festival. 

The Role of Indies in Amplifying CMO Influence 

Tuesday, June 23 | 12:30–13:15 - Indies Rising @ Cannes | Indie Agency News house

We’ll be digging into the Confessions of a CMO research again at the Indie Agency News house. This session, moderated by Monigle's Gabriel Cohen along with two CMO panelists, will explore the different "CMO species" emerging across organizations, the shifting expectations placed on marketing leadership, and a few unfiltered confessions from the front lines of the profession. Expect honest perspectives, practical insights, and a deeper look at how the modern CMO continues to evolve.

Registration information coming soon.

The Future of Independent Agencies

Tuesday, June 23 | 15:00–17:00 - Basis Oasis | 42 Boulevard de la Croisette

Independent agencies continue to prove that agility, specialization, and entrepreneurial thinking can be powerful competitive advantages. But as technology, media consumption, and client expectations continue to evolve, what comes next?

Join us at Basis Oasis for a conversation moderated by Michael Olson of Basis featuring our partners Dooley Tombras, President of Tombras, Jean Freeman, Principal and CEO of Zambezi, and Stephen Brown, CEO of FUSE Create. Together, they'll discuss how independent agencies can continue to adapt, innovate, and thrive in today's rapidly changing media and marketing environment.

Following the panel, attendees are invited to stay for drinks, light bites, and networking with fellow agency and industry leaders.

Register here: https://basisevents.com/cannes2026wpi

Independent Agencies Making Their Mark at Cannes

One of the most exciting aspects of Cannes this year is the growing visibility and influence of independent agencies. Across the festival, agency leaders are creating opportunities for meaningful conversations, community building, and fresh thinking.

Zambezi: Building Community Through Sports and Leadership

Throughout the week, Worldwide Partners agency Zambezi will host a series of gatherings at its "Energy House," bringing together clients, marketers, and leaders from across the sports marketing ecosystem.

Among the highlights is an intimate salon dinner focused on emerging opportunities in sports and culture, as well as a global gathering of women agency owners and leaders through Own It, the network co-founded by Zambezi CEO Jean Freeman. The expansion of Own It's mission beyond the U.S. reflects a growing commitment to fostering leadership and entrepreneurship across the global agency community.

Giant Spoon: Turning Heads Before Cannes Begins

Worldwide Partners agency Giant Spoon x Wpromote is making an unmistakable first impression this year with a bold out-of-home campaign at Nice Airport. Designed to greet arriving marketers and brand leaders before they even reach Cannes, the campaign showcases the combined agency's positioning at the intersection of culture and performance.

It's a reminder that for many agencies, Cannes has become as much a platform for showcasing their own brands as it is a venue for celebrating client work.

Noble West: Confidence as a Competitive Advantage

On June 24, Ali Cox, Founder and CEO of Worldwide Partners agency Noble West, will join a select group of business leaders on a main Palais stage to explore a deceptively simple question: What transforms confidence into impact?

The conversation will examine how leaders inspire belief before results are proven, secure stakeholder and investor buy-in amid uncertainty, and translate conviction into action that drives measurable business outcomes. At a time when organizations face constant change, the ability to create confidence may be one of leadership's most valuable skills.

Keino Group: Investing in the Next Generation of Creative Talent

Cannes Lions isn't just where the industry's leaders gather—it's also where the next generation of talent gets its opportunity to shine.

This year Keino Group, one of our newest partners, will play a key role in one of the festival's most prestigious programs, with its team leading the development of all seven competition briefs for the Young Lions competitions. These briefs serve as the foundation for the global contest, challenging emerging creative talent from around the world to solve real-world marketing and communications challenges under intense time constraints.

Keino will also be represented on the competition stage itself. Val and Anna from the agency earned the opportunity to compete in the Digital category after winning their national competition and will join 56 teams from around the world at Cannes to showcase their skills on an international stage.

Their participation reflects an important aspect of Cannes Lions: celebrating not only today's industry leaders, but also the rising talent that will shape the future of creativity, marketing, and communications.

A Common Thread Across Cannes

While the topics may vary from the future of the CMO role to agency evolution, sports marketing, entrepreneurship, and leadership, a common theme is emerging across many of this year's most compelling conversations.

Success today requires more than expertise.

It requires the ability to build trust, create conviction, foster community, and navigate change with confidence.

Those are the conversations we're most excited to be part of at Cannes Lions 2026, and we look forward to connecting with clients, partners, and industry leaders throughout the week.

If you'll be in Cannes, we hope to see you there!