Yahoo’s World Cup Party, Stogies and Stories
Kendra Barnett, senior tech reporter
I’m looking forward to Yahoo Sports’ Fête du Foot World Cup viewing party on Wednesday afternoon. The collision of Cannes and the World Cup is a timely one: advertising investment in live sports—both on linear and connected TV—is skyrocketing, expected to surpass $20 billion next year.
Not to mention, there are few things I can imagine being more fun than being in Europe and watching the beautiful game on a beach with a cocktail. In the meantime, of course, I’m tracking Yahoo’s movements as it competes heartily for media spend in sports and elsewhere against the likes of Amazon and The Trade Desk.
Another one that caught my eye: Basis’ Stogies and Stories invite-only event Tuesday evening, marketed as a place for “cigars, drinks and informal storytelling among senior industry guests.” No, I’m not a cigar person, but that might be a good room to be in.
Collins House
Mark Stenberg, senior media reporter
When three separate creators all recommend the same event, and that event is a week of unstructured access to a restored beachside chateau, the question of what to do with your free time at Cannes finds an easy answer.
The Collins House, the third iteration of the invite-only salon hosted by the namesake agency, feels more artist retreat than activation. Attendees come from a variety of backgrounds, blending creators, marketers, designers, and musicians, and the gorgeous backdrop makes for a convenient conversation starter.
You might not walk away with a new agentic workflow, but you will be grateful for the change of pace.
Creator Mixers and Canva’s Cabana
Rebecca Stewart, brand editor
In case you haven’t noticed, creators have been planting their flag in Cannes’ sand for the last few years. This year, Lions Creators is going to be bigger than ever.
I’ll be intrigued to see how creators and CMOs mingle at Adobe’s invite-only creator-marketer mixer on Thursday evening and all week long in TikTok’s garden and Influential’s beach. I’m seeing AI creep into the descriptors for said events, and I think the tech’s impact on the creator-verse (see: the recent reaction to SheerLuxe’s AI-powered ‘influencers’) is going to be a big topic of conversation on stage and on the ground.
I’m also excited to swing by Canva’s Creative Cabana for a gelato, and I’ll be finding somewhere to watch the Scotland vs Brazil World Cup game, if I’m still standing in time for the 12am kickoff. I don’t think we’ll win that one, but indulge me.
ADWEEK House, UTA Beach
Ryan Joe, editor-in-chief
It’s probably self-serving if I mention ADWEEK House as the place to be at the Majestic Hotel, but whatever, I mean it when I say this is the activation to check out.
