The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is just around the corner, and this year’s event promises to be a game-changer for creators and brands alike. 

The festival will host discussions with industry giants like the President of (Mr) Beast Industries, the CEO of X, and Viral Nation’s CEO, alongside panels featuring innovative creators, and a star-studded Viral Nation Creator Rooftop party. This year’s lineup is packed with unmissable events. 

Join us on the road to Cannes Lions and explore the panels, events, and awards that make this festival a landmark moment in the marketing calendar.

What is LIONS Creators?

From June 18 to 20, LIONS Creators, a new Cannes Lions initiative in partnership with Viral Nation, will spotlight the creator economy and the transformative power of social-first marketing. This new track marks a significant shift, reflecting the industry’s move towards creator-led content and the social platforms where audiences live.

Traditionally known for its emphasis on legacy advertising, the festival has evolved to embrace the fast-growing creator economy. With curated programming, exclusive learning sessions, networking opportunities, and high-profile panels, LIONS Creators aims to foster collaboration among creators, creator economy professionals, brands, and agencies. 

This year’s focus highlights the growing influence of creators in shaping consumer behavior and driving brand success, making Cannes LIONS 2024 a pivotal moment for the future of marketing.

Steven He will be speaking on the panel: A New Era of Entertainment

Steven He will be speaking on the panel “A New Era of Entertainment”

5 Unmissable People, Panels, and Events at LIONS Creators

Cannes is a whirlwind of pitches, idea exchanges, and crucial networking. To help you navigate the festival, we’ve curated the best people, places, and events to add to your itinerary.

1. Exchange Roundtable LIVE! Shift Happens – Blazing a Trail for an Equitable Creator Economy.
Wednesday June 19 from 12:15 – 13:00 Hi5 Studio

Joe Gagliese (CEO, Viral Nation), Ashley Cole Seidman (VISA), Rahul Titus (Ogilvy), Kim Farrell (TikTok), and creator Caspar Lee tackle profit-sharing, industry standards, and building a fair marketplace for creators and brands.

2. A New Era of Entertainment: Redefining the Future with Top Creators
Thursday June 20 from 10:45 – 11:15 Terrace Stage

Steven He (Comedy Sketch Creator), Josh Richards (CrossCheck Studios), and Drea Okeke (Next Level Influence) explore how creators are experimenting, innovating, and driving cultural trends on an epic scale, and how brands and agencies can effectively collaborate with creators as the creator economy matures.

3. The Creators Rooftop
June 19 – 20 from 9:00 – 18:30 6th floor, le Palais des Festivals

Join us as we launch the Creators Rooftop space: an unforgettable hub filled with gourmet food, specialty gifts, and unique activations. Celebrate creativity and community with us!

4. Social-First Tactics to Revolutionize Your Consumer Engagement
Thursday 20 June from 14:30—15:00 Terrace Stage

Featuring Emma Ferrera (Chief Business Development Officer, Viral Nation) and Patrick O’Keefe (Vice President, Integrated Marketing Communications, e.l.f. Beauty), this actionable talk unpacks how and why social-first brands are outperforming media-led brands.

5. Cannes LIONS Social & Influencer Awards
Wednesday 19 June at 19:00—21:00 Lumière Theatre

Celebrate the best in creative social thinking and strategic influencer marketing. Judged by idea, strategy, execution, and results, this award ceremony is a festival highlight.

With so much happening at the show, rest assured we’ve got you covered with our LIVE from Cannes LIONS Creators updates.

LIVE from LIONS Creators

Viral Nation is on the ground at Cannes Lions this year, bringing updates from industry leaders discussing the future of the creator economy in the larger marketing landscape.

Next to our live blog feed, Instagram will be our prominent LIONS social channel with live stories and daily reels, so don’t forget to follow us!

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The Road to Cannes LIONS Creators Starts Here

Last year, AI and the demise of cookies dominated headlines. This year, the introduction of the new Cannes LIONS Creators track, with its thought-leader panels, star-studded events, and first-ever creator award, is set to take center stage. 

Check back on Viral Nation’s blog or our various socials to get the full scoop on Cannes LIONS Creators as it happens and join the conversation. 

For those attending Cannes, our Viral Nation team will be on-site to talk about social-first marketing. If you want to connect with one of our experts on the ground, let us know via this form.