For one week every June, a sun-soaked stretch of the French Riviera turns into a marketing hotspot. This year, the International Festival of Creativity—better known as Cannes Lions—runs June 22 to June 26, but it’s far from a trade show.
Founded in 1954, the festival draws more than 15,000 attendees from over 90 countries to the Palais des Festivals and the adjacent, palm tree-studded Croisette. The Lions remain the most coveted prize in the business—the advertising world’s answer to the Oscars. But over the past decade, Cannes Lions has outgrown its insider roots to become a full-blown cultural phenomenon, where brand chiefs, celebrities, athletes, influencers, and creators converge.
The 2026 edition is nothing less than a collision of pop culture and the business of creativity. Brand executives have long made the trip to Cannes, but this year they’ll be joined by a larger mix of entertainers, sports figures, and digital creators. A major chief marketing officer and a Formula One driver are liable to appear on the same panel, while executives, athletes, and online creators will mingle and attend the same events. The central question at the festival this year, organizers say, is what creativity means in 2026 and who gets to define it.
The roster of confirmed brand executives spans several categories. In food and beverage: Dan Edwards (Steak ‘n Shake), Alison Payne (Heineken USA), Marcel Marcondes (AB InBev), Mark Kirkham (PepsiCo), Todd Kaplan (Kraft Heinz), Stephanie Perdue (Chipotle), Erin Silvoy (Starbucks), Rankin Carroll (Mars Snacking), and Ryan Dullea (Reckitt).
In sports and lifestyle: Tim Ellis (NFL), Emily Silver (Dick’s Sporting Goods), Ashley Kechter (Vuori), Jim Mollica (Bose), Louise McEwen (McLaren Racing), and Bonin Bough (Portrait Media Group). In tech and digital: Grace Koo (Snap), Nicole Parlapiano (YouTube), Jackie Jantos (Hinge), Manu Orssaud (Duolingo), and Danielle Hawley (Uber). Also attending: Tarang Amin (e.l.f. Beauty), Kelly Mahoney (Ulta Beauty), and Michelle Mesenberg (Target) in beauty and retail; Tara King (Bacardi and Bombay Sapphire) in spirits; and Doug Sweeny (Ōura) and Eric Edge (Alaska Airlines) in health and wellness.
Additionally, several celebrities have been confirmed, including elite athletes like Carmelo Anthony, Sue Bird, Cooper Flagg, Draymond Green, Hilary Knight, Lando Norris, Naomi Osaka, Chris Paul, George Russell, Carlos Sainz, Maria Sharapova, Lindsey Vonn, Alex Rodriguez, Shaquille O’Neal, and Sky Brown.
Attending A-listers from the entertainment and modeling spheres include Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Ciara, Alan Cumming, Ashley Graham, Bella Hadid, Paris Hilton, Colin Jost, Jadakiss, Fat Joe, Tina Knowles, Hoda Kotb, Don Lemon, Eva Longoria, Ludacris, Stella McCartney, Seth Meyers, Oprah Winfrey, Questlove, Ryan Seacrest, Ryan Serhant, Bozoma Saint John, Chrissy Teigen, will.i.am, Wyclef Jean, and Rachel Zoe. From the world of digital creators and influencers, expect to see Alex Cooper, David Dobrik, and Hannah Stocking. The Bravo network is represented by Mia Calabrese, Lindsey Hubbard, and Orlandria Carthen. Cultural strategist Dr. Marcus Collins is among the thought-leadership speakers.
Portrait Media Group
Portrait Media Group, an independent media company focused on connecting brands with Gen Next audiences, is curating a slate of programming and events during the festival. Operating from The Swayable House at Steak ‘n Shake, Portrait is hosting a thought-leadership series, World Cup watch parties, and the Maxim party, with the stated aim of bringing together brand leaders, creators, athletes and cultural voices.
Cannes Lions 2026 Event Schedule
Thought-leadership programming runs Monday through Wednesday, noon to 3 p.m., at The Swayable House at Steak ‘n Shake, with panels and conversations on commerce, creativity, and emerging trends. Evening watch parties run 9 p.m. to midnight.
On Monday, June 22, the Portrait Media watch party screens France vs. Iraq, with an 11 p.m. kickoff. On Tuesday, June 23, comedian JB Smoove hosts England vs. Ghana, kicking off at 10 p.m. On Wednesday, June 24, the Maxim watch party screens a doubleheader, Switzerland vs. Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Qatar, both at 9 p.m., with music by MICK—a DJ and culture strategist billed as the unofficial DJ of Cannes.
The Maxim Party: After Hours follows the Maxim watch party from midnight to sunrise. It’s presented by Portrait Media Group, Steak ‘n Shake, SOLÉ Natural Italian Mineral Water, and Swayable. The invite-only event, billed as the Amapiano Afrobeats French Riviera Experience, is curated by Unik Ernest with DJ Mercedes Benson.
Key partners for the week include Steak ‘n Shake, SOLÉ Natural Italian Mineral Water, Swayable, Portrait TV (now live on LG smart TVs), and Maxim.