Level up your creative strategy with Sir John Hegarty, will.i.am and leaders at TwentyFirstCenturyBrand, Walmart, Spotify, Hartbeat and more. RSPV and join Adweek Abroad in Cannes: The Business Case for Creativity at Whalar House, June 18–22.
When ad-tech’s glossy flotilla of super yachts took over the harbor at Cannes Lions in 2015, beaches were abuzz with chatter about the ad tech vendors dominating France’s annual festival of creativity.
In 2023, it’s creators’ turn to plant their flag in the sand.
By Influencer Hub estimates, the creator economy is currently valued at more than $104 billion and is projected to grow to more than $200 billion by 2026. With this in mind, several industry insiders told Adweek that CMOs are gearing up to hob nob with a new school of content makers and influencers at Cannes Lions.
Following official stage appearances last year from celebrity creator multi-hyphenates like Issa Rae, Paris Hilton and Ryan Reynolds, a lineup of creators are getting top billing on the main festival line-up for 2023.
Palais speakers include Alexandra Cooper, podcaster and host of pop-culture podcast “Call Her Daddy” and “The Good Place” actress, podcaster, activist and influencer Jameela Jamil. Whalar’s chief creative officer, Ashley Rudder, will also hold her own on the Palais stage for the first time, pitching the creator commerce platform to marketers. (For the second year, Adweek is partnering with Whalar for our programming stage along the Croisette, adjacent to Meta’s activation.)
Top billing, and hob nobbing, at Cannes
Platforms and influencer agencies have prominent beach spots and rented villas at the festival, hosting fringe programming, press meetings and exclusive parties.
- Google is hosting multiple events under the YouTube banner, which will “bring together top partners, brands and creators.”
- At Spotify Beach, the platform will host YouTuber and podcaster Emma Chamberlain and Alex Cooper, host of podcast “Call Her Daddy.”
- Amazon is hosting chats with actress, musical artist and producer Keke Palmer and creator Joseph Wilson.
- Meta is bringing content creators Rod Thrill and Sasha Pallar to its beach to talk about measuring ROI in the nascent space. At the time of writing, Twitter’s — which is facing its own business challenges as advertisers continue to pull spend — had yet to confirm if it would be sending execs to Cannes this year.
- TikTok’s programming at the Carlton Hotel garden will be largely focused on the future of creavitiy, with “Frosé Soirées” planned each evening to allow thought leaders and creators to mingle. A special creative workshop with TikToker and sustainable designer Peder Cho will invite delegates to get hands on.