Program of the week - ACT in Cannes

Monday

ACT Responsible Exhibition

2026-06-22

9:00 - 18:00

Explore the social and environmental campaigns created this year by agencies from around the world, presented in four categories: Solidarity, Education, Human Rights, and Environment. If you cannot attend in person, don’t miss the opportunity to visit our online exhibition. Click “Read More”. At the ACT Exhibition, visitors are the jury. Raise your voice and cast your vote for the campaigns that inspire you most.

On-site, please ask our ACTive team members Yasmine, Coline, Yann, Manon and Guillaume for your voting ballot.

La FRENCH CO, French Voices

2026-06-22

10:30-11:15

Special Creative Country of the Year “LaFrench” brings together leading French voices from communications, media, brands, and the creative industries for a lively festival-focused show. Hosted by Pascal Cübb and Frédéric Roy, LaFrench (formerly MyFrenchCo) features daily guests who unpack the festival’s highlights, share behind-the-scenes insights, and showcase France’s presence on the Croisette.

Pascal Cübb, Founder of the French Co and President of IAA France

Frédéric Roy, Le Media Leader

MyACT – Voices for Impact

2026-06-22

11:30-12:00

The ACT Sisters kick off the LIONS Impact Hub by welcoming the changemakers, builders, and believers behind this year’s programme. Joined by voices from LIONS, Mr Goodvertising, Purpose Hive, and P&G, they’ll explore what’s in store for the week, why impact and collaboration matter more than ever, and how our industry can work together to drive meaningful change.

Phil Thomas, Chair Cannes Lions – Frank Starling, Lions Chief DEI Officer – Thomas Kolster Mr. Goodvertising, IAA Sustainability Council Co-Chair

Samuel Monnie & Touseef Mirza, Co-Founders and Co-CEOs, Purpose Hive – Damon D. Jones Chief Communications Officer, Procter & Gamble

Impact Debrief : Susan Credle, FCB former Global Chair

2026-06-22

12:15-12:45

Join Samuel Monnie and Toussef Mirza of Purpose Hive for the Impact Debrief: a candid, backstage-style conversation with leading voices at the intersection of creativity, culture, brands, and positive impact today. In a more relaxed and interactive setting, speakers including Susan Credle, FCB former Global Chair & Omnicom Creative Advisory, will go beyond the mainstage to share deeper reflections, untold stories, hard-earned lessons, and the experiences that continue to shape their thinking and work. From creativity and culture to leadership, humanity, and impact, these conversations create space for the ideas and moments that don’t always surface on the main stage. Each session offers a rare opportunity to connect more closely with influential leaders, hear what audiences often wish they could ask, and leave inspired by new perspectives, meaningful conversation, and fresh possibilities for impact.This session is organized at the LIONS Impact Hub on the first floor of the Palais des Festivals in the Debussy Foyer and is reserved for delegates only. A maximum of 30 people can participate in this intimate session, so please make sure to register.

Susan Credle, FCB former Global Chair & Omnicom Creative Advisory,

Samuel Monnie and Toussef Mirza of Purpose Hive

Cultured Connections: From Access to Acceleration – Bridging the C-Suite Seniority Gap

2026-06-22

13:45 - 14:45

Cultured Connections is bringing together the industry’s most high-potential underrepresented talent for an intensive speed-mentoring experience inside the Palais. By providing radical access to global CMOs and agency heads, we are equipping the next generation with the sponsorship and insights required to bridge the seniority gap. Join us to turn potential into boardroom presence.

LIONS Team

Marketing × Sustainability: The Growth Alliance Hiding in Plain Sight

2026-06-22

16:15-16:45

In this Cannes Lions conversation, Thomas Kolster, Mr. Goodvertising, explores why the strongest growth opportunities increasingly sit at the intersection of marketing and sustainability. Drawing on insights from global brands, award-winning work, and changing consumer expectations, he will show how sustainability can fuel innovation, strengthen relevance, and create competitive advantage. Featuring lessons from Impact Leaders—the world’s first accelerator for marketing and sustainability leaders—the session asks a simple question: can businesses afford not to use sustainability as a growth driver?

Mathias Wikström, CEO, Doconomy and Ali Rez, CCO, IMPACT BBDO

Khalik Sherrif, CEO, eMedia Group and Suhayl Limbada, Chief Marketing Officer, KFC India & Partner Countries

The new creative frontier is humans-at-the-center of AI

2026-06-22

17:15-18:45

AI+humanness elevates creativity, brand resonance, and growth by Touseef Mirza, Co-CEO, Purpose Hive. Although AI is here to stay, AI in of itself is not the “full” future. And that’s because of 2 main reasons: AI is becoming a commodity and AI is not human, and therefore does not emote or understand emotion. Our humanness is what makes us create, connect, and resonate. So the key is to find the right dynamic between humanness and AI as we embark on the next iteration of creativity and growth. In this conversation, we will also dive into the existential question of what is “creativity” to better understand its implication in the modern tech world and also showcase a model that delineates how to get to great creative work that leverages both what we uniquely offer as humans and what AI offers. There is no doubt that the future is human, perhaps even more human than at any other time in our advanced technological age.

Speaker : Touseef Mirza, Co-CEO; Purpose Hive

Tuesday

ACT Responsible Exhibition

2026-06-23

9:00 - 18:00

On-site, please ask our ACTive team members Yasmine, Coline, Yann, Manon and Guillaume for your voting ballot.

Understood.org: Neurodiversity as a Creative Advantage

2026-06-23

10:00-10:15

Paul Kemp Robertson, LIONS Chief Content Officer, and Nathan Friedman, Co-President & CMO of Understood.org, explore how neurodivergent minds offer a powerful, underused creative advantage in tackling industry sameness.

Paul Kemp Robertson, LIONS Chief Content Officer

Nathan Friedman, Co-President & CMO of Understood.org

La FRENCH CO, French Voices

2026-06-23

10:45-11:30

Pascal Cübb, Founder of the French Co and President of IAA France

Frédéric Roy, Le Media Leader

MyACT, Voicies for Human Rights

2026-06-23

11:45-12:15

Join us at the ACT Studio for a thought-provoking conversation on how creativity makes visible the rights we cannot afford to ignore. Human rights rarely disappear overnight. More often, they become invisible. Whether addressing violations of international law, corruption, or access to information, the campaigns featured in this episode share a common purpose: shining a light on issues that too often go unseen. Through inspiring discussions with the people behind these initiatives, discover how creativity can raise awareness, drive accountability, and give a voice to those who might otherwise go unheard. Explore the power of ideas to reveal hidden realities and inspire meaningful change.

Thomas Kolster, Founder of Goodvertising, Sustainability Marketing Advisor, Keynote Speaker & Author, IAA Global Sustainability Council.

Derek Green, CCO TBWA\RAAD UAE – Márton Jedlicska , ECD PUBLICIS GROUPE HUNGAR – Conner Tobiason, ECD LUCKY GENERALS NY – Charley Stoney, CEO EACA

The Next Job of Creativity: How Zespri turned a nutrition challenge into a cultural movement.

2026-06-23

14:15-14:45

What is the role of creativity when awareness is no longer enough? In Japan, hidden malnutrition affects millions despite widespread awareness of healthy eating. For Zespri, this was not just a communications challenge—it was a cultural one. If better nutrition was to become a lasting habit, culture itself needed to change. In this session, speakers will share the story behind the Nutrition Reform Project, a long-term initiative designed to make better nutrition part of everyday life. They will explore how a fruit brand moved beyond campaigns to spark a cultural movement, and how its first major initiative, the Bento Box Project, turned an everyday ritual into a platform for behavior change. The session offers a behind-the-scenes look at how creativity can drive both business growth and social impact—and why its next role may be to help change culture itself.

Kanako Inomata, Head of Marketing APAC at Zespri

Yuichi Kitada, Group Creative Director at Dentsu,

Impact Debrief : Marcus Collins, Professor University of Michigan

2026-06-23

16:15-16:45

Join Samuel Monnie and Touseef Mirza of Purpose Hive for the Impact Debrief: a candid, backstage-style conversation with leading voices at the intersection of creativity, culture, brands, and positive impact today. In a more relaxed and interactive setting, Dr. Marcus Collins, Professor University of Michigan & best selling Author will go beyond the mainstage to share deeper reflections, untold stories, hard-earned lessons, and the experiences that continue to shape their thinking and work. From creativity and culture to leadership, humanity, and impact, these conversations create space for the ideas and moments that don’t always surface on the main stage. Each session offers a rare opportunity to connect more closely with influential leaders, hear what audiences often wish they could ask, and leave inspired by new perspectives, meaningful conversation, and fresh possibilities for impact.This session is organized at the LIONS Impact Hub on the first floor of the Palais des Festivals in the Debussy Foyer and is reserved for delegates only. A maximum of 30 people can participate in this intimate session, so please make sure to register.

Susan Credle, FCB former Global Chair & Omnicom Creative Advisory,

Samuel Monnie and Toussef Mirza of Purpose Hive

From Capturing Attention to Empowering Intentionality

2026-06-23

17:15-17:45

The Next Frontier for Brands The digital economy was built on capturing attention. More clicks, more stimulation, more screen time, more consumption. But consumers are beginning to push back. In a world shaped by cognitive overload, algorithmic influence, and AI-mediated decisions, intentionality is becoming a new form of luxury — and a new source of competitive advantage. This session brings together marketing leaders from Diageo and Nestlé to explore a critical question for modern brands: How can companies remain culturally relevant and commercially effective without contributing to exhaustion, distraction, and the erosion of human agency? From responsible consumption to healthier digital behaviors and more conscious daily habits, this conversation will explore the role brands can play in helping people reclaim intentional choice in an age of excess. Moderator Thomas Kolster; Founder, Goodvertising, Author, Speaker and Global Sustainability Advisor, IAA Global Sustainability Council Co-Chai Hosted by IAA Brazil

Ionah Kochen, Vice-President of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Nestlé BraziL

Guilherme Martins, Marketing Sênior Vice President – Diageo Brazil

Wednesday

ACT Responsible Exhibition

2026-06-24

9:00 - 18:00

Explore the social and environmental campaigns created this year by agencies from around the world, presented in four categories: Solidarity, Education, Human Rights, and Environment. If you cannot attend in person, don’t miss the opportunity to visit our online exhibition. Click “Read More”. At the ACT Exhibition, visitors are the jury. Last day to raise your voice and cast your vote for the campaigns that inspire you most.

On-site, please ask our ACTive team members Yasmine, Coline, Yann, Manon and Guillaume for your voting ballot.

Designing for Financial Wellness: The Human Side of Money

2026-06-24

9:15-9:45

Join Amanda Estiverne, Board Member/Advisor NAFLI , Payments strategist, fintech leader & advocate for financial inclusion, for a conversation on The Human Side of Money with expert guest speakers. Financial stress touches every part of human life — relationships, health, ambition, and self-worth. Yet most financial products are still built around transactions, not people. Around data, not dignity. This session, presented by the National Alliance for Financial Literacy and Inclusion (NAFLI), reframes financial wellness as a design and storytelling challenge. Bringing together experts in behavioral finance, mental health, and the founder experience, we’ll explore how emotions — fear, shame, hope, and control — actually drive financial behavior, and what it looks like when creativity genuinely improves someone’s financial life. This is not a financial education session. It’s an invitation to the creative industry to close the gap between the empathy we bring to ideas and the empathy missing from the systems people navigate every day

Alejandra Rojas, Entrepreneur, Forbes contributor & founder of Brown Way to Money

Yin Mei, Software engineer, product leader & Principal of Moss Path Labs / Shira Lazar, Emmy-nominated digital culture expert, keynote speaker & mental health advocate

La FRENCH CO, French Voices

2026-06-24

10:45-11:30

Pascal Cübb, Founder of the French Co and President of IAA France

Frédéric Roy, Le Media Leader

MyACT, the Voices of the ACT Community - Special OHFG!

2026-06-24

11:45-12:15

Join Thomas Kolster, Mr. Goodvertising, at the ACT Studio for a Special Open House for Good, gathering the voices of partners and supporters of this special moment celebrating inclusivity, collaboration, and inspiration! You are all welcome to discover the ACT Exhibition and vote for your favourite campaigns. 📆 Wednesday, June 24th 🕐 2pm – 4pm

Thomas Kolster, Founder of Goodvertising, Sustainability Marketing Advisor, Keynote Speaker & Author, IAA Global Sustainability Council.

Pascal Cübb, President IAA France – Fabiana Scheffer, President IAA Brazil – Ionah Kochen, Vice-presidente Marketing, Nestlé Brazil – Guilherme Martins, Chief Marketing Officer, Diageo Brazil – Séverine Nubel International Brand & Communication, Orange – Cécile Chambaudrie, Managing Director, NRJ GROUP

The Good Series by Good-Loop

2026-06-24

13:15-13-45

These sessions are designed to interrogate measurable, objective examples of how responsible business drives commercial performance, hosted by the responsible media platform, Good-Loop. The brands winning on responsibility aren’t doing it because it’s right. They’re doing it because it’s effective. This conversation explores how to build responsible practice into the marketing infrastructure, so it compounds over time rather than sitting as a cost on the P&L. This is not a social impact conversation. This is a business strategy conversation. Join Amy Willams, Founder & CEO of The Good Engagement platform Good-Loop , alongside this incredible lineup of brand leaders and industry thinkers.

Laurie Lam, Chief Brand Officer ELF Beauty, Nestle – Katie Griffits, VP Global Cat Portfolio, Mars Pet Nutrition

Lola Bakare, CMO advisor, inclusive marketing strategist & author of ‘Responsible Marketing’ – Preeti Srivastav, Group Head of Sustainability, Asahi Group

OHFG - Open House For Good - no badge needed !

2026-06-24

14:00-16:00

A special moment celebrating inclusivity, collaboration and inspiration! You are all welcome to discover the ACT Exhibition and vote for your favourite campaigns. Organized by ACT Responsible and IAA Global with Cannes Lions, the OHFG! is designed to make the Festival more inclusive, purposeful, and impactful. What to Expect: Discover the latest ACT Responsible exhibition, spotlighting campaigns across four key themes: solidarity, human rights, education, and the environment The event will open with a symbolic celebration of international collaboration the the passage of the Creative Country of the Year flag between Brazil and and France. This moment will bring together Global brands Diageo and Nestlé from Brazil alongside French brands Orange and NRJ Global It will be followed by a unique moment to meet the pioneers and changemakers pushing the industry toward sustainability. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to meet them for a Good Chat !

Brands supporters Diageo and Nestlé from Brazil alongside French brands Orange and NRJ Global

Changemakers from Open Chair, Conscious Advertising Network, Cannes Can: Diversity Collective and more

The Good Series by Good-Loop

2026-06-24

17:30-18:00

Sara Brooks, Insights Driven and Customer Marketing Executive, Better Help – Tim Ellis, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer, National Football League

Kate Clough, Global Media Director, Lenovo – Toni Roller, EVP, Store Experience & Design, DICK’S Sporting Goods – Thomas Kolster, Author & Founder, Goodvertising Agency

Thursday

ACT Responsible Exhibition

2026-06-25

9:00 - 18:00

On-site, please meet our ACTive team members Yasmine, Coline, Yann, Manon and Guillaume

Water Rising Institute

2026-06-25

9:15 - 9:45

This session reframes water not as a resource to conserve but as an intelligence to recognize. Water is infrastructure and in the era of AI, that work is no longer optional.

La FRENCH CO, French Voices

2026-06-25

10:45-11:30

Pascal Cübb, Founder of the French Co and President of IAA France

Frédéric Roy, Le Media Leader

MyACT – Voices for the Planet

2026-06-25

11:45-12:15

Join Thomas Kolster, Mr. Goodvertising, at the ACT Studio for an inspiring conversation on how marketing can turn environmental awareness into meaningful action. Environmental challenges can often feel overwhelming, distant, and complex. While many people care, they don’t always know how they can make a difference. In this episode, we explore campaigns and initiatives that empower individuals to take part, transforming concern into participation and impact. Through engaging discussions with the people behind these projects, discover fresh ideas, challenge perspectives, and explore how responsible marketing can help shape a more sustainable future.

Thomas Kolster, Founder of Goodvertising, Sustainability Marketing Advisor, Keynote Speaker & Author, IAA Global Sustainability Council.

Fabrice Plazolles, Chief Creative Officer Havas Play France – Gabriela Rodrigues, Chief Impact Officer Droga5 / WALK – Ryan Caidic, Executive Creative Director TBWASMP, Sherri Aldis, Director UN Regional Information Centre

Impact Debrief : Monique Nelson, Executive Chair of UWG INC and this year’s Jury President for Glass : The Lions for Change

2026-06-25

13:15-13:45

Join Samuel Monnie and Toussef Mirza of Purpose Hive for the Impact Debrief: a candid, backstage-style conversation with leading voices at the intersection of creativity, culture, brands, and positive impact today. In a more relaxed and interactive setting, speakers including Monique Nelson,Executive Chair of UWG INC and this year’s Jury President for Glass: The Lions for Change, will go beyond the mainstage to share deeper reflections, untold stories, hard-earned lessons, and the experiences that continue to shape their thinking and work. From creativity and culture to leadership, humanity, and impact, these conversations create space for the ideas and moments that don’t always surface on the main stage. Each session offers a rare opportunity to connect more closely with influential leaders, hear what audiences often wish they could ask, and leave inspired by new perspectives, meaningful conversation, and fresh possibilities for impact.This session is organized at the LIONS Impact Hub on the first floor of the Palais des Festivals in the Debussy Foyer and is reserved for delegates only. A maximum of 30 people can participate in this intimate session, so please make sure to register.

Monique Nelson, Executive Chair at UWG

Samuel Monnie and Toussef Mirza of Purpose Hive

ACT Tributes to Creativity & Champions of Good celebration

2026-06-25

17:00-18:30

Celebrating Outstanding Campaigns & Champions of Good. Join the ACT Community and past Champions of Good as they come together to celebrate inspiring personalities and remarkable achievements for Good. This unique event is organized with the generous support of RTL. THE ACT RESPONSIBLE TRIBUTES CELEBRATE CHAMPIONS OF GOOD: an homage presented to inspiring personalities who have made a lasting impact on social and environmental issues, improving the world through personal contributions and creative campaigns. CREATIVITY FOR GOOD: a recognition for outstanding work presented to the talents behind the favourite campaigns of the ACT Exhibition

Friday

ACT Responsible Exhibition

2026-06-26

9:00 - 18:00

On-site, please meet our ACTive team members Yasmine, Coline, Yann, Manon and Guillaume