Cannes Lions 2026: The 20 Activations You Don’t Want to Miss

Whether it’s your first Cannes Lions or your tenth, navigating the festival is never straightforward. 

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With hundreds of panels, countless networking opportunities and a seemingly endless stream of breakfasts, lunches, dinners and parties available, deciding how to spend your time can feel like a full-time job in itself. 

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That’s why we created the Propeller Cannes Lions Events and Parties List -  a comprehensive guide detailing more than 1,400 sessions, activations and events taking place throughout the week. To help you make the most of your time on the Croisette, we’ve picked out 20 trending sessions that should be on your radar. 

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Monday 22nd June

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Brand Harmony Group Singing

08:00-09:00, Canva Creative Cabana

Whether you’re someone that can hold a melody or believe that they’re a rhythm-setter, this session by Canva provides a unique way to start the week. Who knows, this may be the start of a brand new hobby that you didn’t know you loved! 

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LBB Presents: The CMO Growth Compass - Navigating Conflict, AI, and the New Global Consumer 

10:30-11:15, LBB & Friends Beach

What are the key challenges facing CMOs in 2026 and beyond? How are they navigating the macroeconomic fallout from conflict and disruption? These are just some of the questions this panel - featuring representatives from Marriott and Mastercard - will aim to address.

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The End Zone is Everywhere: Building Fandom Beyond the Field

12:05-12:30, ADWEEK House

Brands and leagues across the globe are becoming much more creative with their playbook. No longer are they putting all of their eggs in the stadium basket. This is an opportunity to hear from the NFL about effective ways to connect with audiences. 

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The Great Brand Reset: From Attention to Connection

13:30-14:15, WACL Empower Café

It’s no secret that the future of social media has been in the spotlight over the past few weeks. With that in mind, why not check out Snapchat’s panel at the Empower Café to hear about the importance of building participation, resonance and relational depth. 

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BBC Studios: Happy Hour

17:30-18:30, BBC Studios

With the day drawing to a close, it’s time to enjoy some light-hearted networking. Don’t miss the chance to connect with some industry peers over food and rosé at BBC Studios’ Cannes HQ. 

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Tuesday 23rd June

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How Brands and Agencies can Get Back Their AI Investment

09:00-10:30, Campaign House, Hilton Canopy Hotel

Pouring money into AI tools, initiatives and pilots has become commonplace for brands and agencies. But the time has come to stop chasing innovation and start seeking a return. Tune in to Campaign and Marketing Week’s morning panel to find out how to make this a reality. 

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Front Row Seat: Inside the Future of Live Sports

11:00-11:30, Amazon Port

Modern fandom has evolved beyond passive viewing; fans want to get closer to the action, with active participation top of their priorities. From Amazon Ads, this session will discuss what this transformation means for brands attempting to connect with a hyper-engaged audience. 

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Short-Form is Not Short for Shortcut

12:30-13:15, TikTok Garden, Carlton Cannes

In today’s feed-first world, short-form content requires more discipline - not less. At least, that’s according to Mark Ritson, who will examine why the brands that lead with strategy, brand-building creative and intent-led media choices succeed on TikTok. 

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The New Rules of Scaling Brands with AI

14:00-14:45, DEPT® Secret Garden

Scaling used to mean consistency. Now? It means speed. For brands, the challenge isn’t just to add AI to the mix - it’s to rethink how communication flows across teams, markets and channels. Join this session to learn how brands are keeping quality high whilst everything accelerates. 

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Small Agency Network at Cannes

17:00-18:00, Ad Age The List Lounge

If you’re searching for somewhere to connect with agency peers and discuss the realities of running and growing indie shops in today’s market, this networking event hosted by Ad Age can’t be missed. 

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Wednesday 24th June

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The Flavour of Distinctiveness: How to Seize your Opportunity in a Sea of Sameness 

09:00-10:30, Canelle

In order to cut through, food and drink brands rely on seven strong brand cues. If you’re keen on learning what these are - and how to make a Culinary Identity to mistake for anyone else’s - head down to this research-based panel from System1 and Chuck Studios. 

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The Truth about Trusted Sources

11:00-13:00, Nikkei FT Teahouse

Who do business leaders trust when making their most important decisions? In today’s cluttered landscape, where AI-generated content and misinformation multiply, the Financial Times looks to identify the sources, signals and voices shaping leadership decision-making. 

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The New Influence Equation: Balancing Human Trust & Algorithmic Reach

12:00-13:30, WPP Rooftop

Winning brands don’t just accommodate customer journeys within the social feed; they also cater to AI answer engines. This session will unpick how human and algorithmic influences drive decisions - and the importance of becoming a trusted, authoritative presence. 

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Be a Women’s Health Hero

15:00-15:45, WACL Empower Café

To be a true Women’s Health Hero, brands need to build supportive cultures internally and use creativity to shift stigma externally. Want to learn what this looks like in practice? Don’t miss this deep-dive into a complex topic, courtesy of WACL. 

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Sunset Drinks with Samsung Ads

17:00-19:00, Samsung Ads Marina Lounge

For anyone that’s searching for a venue that combines great conversations with unbeatable sunset views, this relaxed seaside happy hour is the one for you. 

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Thursday 25th June

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Accelerating Advertising with Retail Media Networks

09:00-10:00, Journal House

What accelerates discovery, conversion and time to value in the expanding world of retail media networks? Deloitte looks to shine a light on the increasingly valuable role media networks play in a rapidly accelerating digital advertising ecosystem. 

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Redefining the Role of Brands in Entertainment

10:50-11:10, ADWEEK House

The most valuable attention in a content-first world doesn’t interrupt entertainment - it lives inside it. For brands, that means rethinking how they authentically participate and collaborate. This session will provide insight into how marketers exist in this new landscape. 

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Wired Different. B.R.O.s at Work

13:00-14:30, Criteo Yacht

As the world races towards artificial intelligence, this industry may finally be rediscovering emotional intelligence. Criteo has assembled a completely female C-suite that will feature on this panel to shine a light on how every voice provides a different angle on the same fundamental shift.  

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Meet Us Where Music Moves the World

17:00-18:30, JW Marriott Cannes

With K-pop firmly established as a worldwide cultural phenomenon, JW Marriott promises an evening with Grammy award-winning artist EJAE for the chance to explore how music, entertainment and fandom continue to shape identity, travel and connection across the globe. 

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Pride on the Croisette

20:00-23:00, Vega La Plage

Close the week out right by celebrating Pride by the sea. This promises to be an evening full of good energy, open conversations and the kind of connections that last long beyond the night. 

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If you’d like to see what else Cannes Lions has in store, be sure to download the Propeller Cannes Lions Events and Parties List here: https://cannes.propellergroup.com/

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