Cannes Lions lines up key themes, speakers for 2019

Creative festival Cannes Lions has revealed the key themes and announced the first group of speakers for 2019. Based on an industry survey on the biggest issues of creative marketing today, this year the programme of talks and events will address topics identified across eight key themes. It is designed to arm one with the insights needed to tackle these business-critical areas in organisations and put creativity to work.

1. The impact of creativity

In a world of big data and shiny tech, how and why does the 'Big Idea' matter? Does efficiency mean effectiveness? How do you marry creativity with commercial results? Are we still selling creativity short?

2. Equality, diversity, inclusion

Hear original and credible perspectives from diversity champions about how to create fair and equal workforces. What are the new benchmarks for brand work that promotes diversity and inclusion? And what are the wider benefits for culture and society?

3. Industry transformation

We'll explore the deep structural changes and shifts to the branded communication landscape. How can we build outstanding creative capabilities, whatever workspace we inhabit? And where will the best talent be in two, five or 10 years’ time?

4. Digital transformation

Hear case studies from some of the world's largest brands. How are they transforming to maintain customer relevance? What does best-in-class digital transformation look like? How can you marry technology and creativity to create customer-centric communications?

5. Creative strategy

Understand the ideas behind the idea. Hear from strategists, psychologists, futurists and behavioural economists. They'll share the human insights that have changed how we think about targeting, personalisation and reach. Can creativity solve fundamental business problems?

6. Creativity as a force for good

See the breakthrough work inspiring positive action and change in an uncertain and stormy world. How can creativity drive lasting cultural change? Do consumers expect brands to fill the void left by politicians? Should brands today pick a side?

7. Multi-touch point storytelling, craft and experience

Dive into how to develop long-lasting consumer engagement in the age of fast content and fads. What does the new customer value exchange look like? How can you create consistency across touchpoints and provide rich consumer journeys in the 'age of me'?

8. Trust, ethics and transparency

What can we do to restore trust? Which brands are already doing this well? What can we learn from new challenger brands whose entire ethos — from material, product development, supply chain and advertising — is sustainably set up.

The 66th International Festival of Creativity has also announced the first group of speakers. D2C brand founders, classic companies undergoing transformation, marketers from disruptive high-growth start-ups, creatives from across the new ecosystem, and future-defining thinkers are among the first speakers named.

The founders of disruptive luggage company, Away, mattress firm Casper and contact lens retailer Hubble are just three of the D2C contenders confirmed for Cannes Lions.

Jen Rubio, Philip Krim and Jesse Horwitz will join marketers from disruptive up-starts like HelloFresh and Farfetch to explore how new players are thinking about communications otherwise.

Moreover, a double Academy Award winner, Dr Mark Sagar, CEO and Co-founder of Soul Machines, will be there. He was involved with the creation of technology for the digital characters in blockbusters such as Avatar, King Kong, and Spiderman 2. He'll be joined by some of the world's most innovative thinkers, including Tracey Follows from Futuremade, Adobe's Jamie Myrold, Chinese tech community GeekPark and incubator founder Bessie Lee. Together they will explore what the future of society might look like and where communications sit.

Some of the world's biggest brands will also be represented on stage. Marketers from Mercedes-Benz, OneMain Financial and P&G will all discuss how their companies are dealing with disruption and transforming for the modern world. They have also confirmed award-winning creatives from Accenture Interactive and ServicePlan.

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