Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity - 2025

In January 2025, I made a spontaneous decision: I needed to study abroad before it’s too late. Just a few months later, in May, I graduated college, and by June, I found myself at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity through the Cannes Lions Experience Study Abroad course at the University of Miami turned out to be one of the most transformative experiences of my entire college career. And to top it all off, it was also my first time in Europe! Talk about going out with a bang.

NAVIGATION:

• Pre-Festival Recap

• Cannes Lions Festival

• My Favorite Awarded Work

• My Advice for Future Cannes Lions Students

• Final Thoughts

Pre-Festival Recap

Wed, June 11 - Arrival & Check-In

Almost all of us arrived in Cannes on this day! After a long day of travel, we checked into our hotel, grabbed some lunch, and started exploring the city. Later that afternoon, we had our orientation session where we met our amazing tour guide, Gabriel. He gave us a ton of helpful advice about French culture, plus some great recommendations for quality restaurants and shops nearby.

Our hotel happened to be right next to a bus stop, which made getting around easy. We were given the rest of the night off to continue exploring and get settled in!

Thur, June 12 - Cannes Tour & Catamaran Cruise

Our second day started a little later than most, giving us some extra time to catch up on sleep to fix our jetlag. Coffee was also friend this trip. We began with a guided walking tour of Cannes, where we saw the iconic Palais des Festivals and visited the local farmers market, Marché Forville. Everything about Cannes is simply breathtaking.

After the tour, we had lunch at Maison Cresci, then headed to the Port of Cannes to catch a short ferry to Sainte-Marguerite Island. From there, we boarded the Rivage Croisière Catamaran for a relaxing cruise.

The Catamaran was an undeniable highlight of the week  - paddleboarding, relaxing, tanning, and enjoying the view. It was a great way to take in the beauty of the French Riviera while breaking the ice with everyone on the trip.

Fri, June 13 - Saint-Paul-de-Vence & Nice

Day three kicked off with a visit to the Fondation Maeght, followed by free time to wander through Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a stunning medieval hilltop village. If you’re ever in the South of France, this is a must-see in my book. With breathtaking views and fascinating history -  it actually inspired me to prioritize visiting more medieval towns during my personal travels after the program.

Later, we took a bus to Nice, where we had a guided walking tour through the city and Old Town. That evening, after returning to Cannes, everyone in our group went to a cabaret show at Medusa- such a fun night out, I highly recommend!

Sat, June 14 - Picasso Museum & Antibes

We started the day with a short trip to Antibes, where we had lunch at Café Brun and visited the Picasso Museum. After, we explored the local market and spent some time on a charming local beach. It was a beautiful, more laid-back day filled with art, food, good shopping, and time in the sun. I recommend having some euros on you if you’re going to shop in the market, as not all of the stands take card.

Sun, June 15 - Festival Prep

I’d describe this day as the calm before the (exciting) storm. We went to the Palais des Festivals to register and pick up our festival badges. It was incredibly helpful to get a feel for the venue ahead of time. I think I would’ve felt way more overwhelmed walking in cold on the first day.

After registration, we had a class session, followed by a lovely group dinner at La Maison Belle Vue in Le Cannet. It was the perfect sendoff into the next (less leisurely) phase of our journey: Cannes Lions Festival week!

Cannes Lions Festival

Day 1 | Mon, June 16th

11:00 AM | Storytelling That wins hearts and minds

This session was a powerful way to kick off the festival. Jamie Lee Curtis, alongside Sue Kroll (head of global marketing at Amazon MGM Studios), delivered a candid and compelling talk about the role of authenticity in brand storytelling.

Jamie Lee Curtis was, unsurprisingly, simply magnetic. Her unapologetic presence and raw honesty made her the perfect person to speak on the topic of this session. She shared personal stories from her career in the film industry, including how she first got into acting, how she met her husband of 40 years, and what it's been like working with brands and marketers over the years, and the level of respect she has for their craft.

One of the most memorable themes she explored was the idea of “metamorphosis” - embracing change and being open to new opportunities that come your way. She didn’t shy away from hard truths. “Life is pain,” she said, “and anyone who tells you otherwise is lying.” That line stuck with me because it reinforced the idea that overly polished narratives don’t resonate. Audiences know when they are being presented with something inauthentic and out of touch. Overall, this talk definitely raised the bar for the sessions that followed.

12:15 PM | Beyond the Generational Divide: The New Rules for Consumer Connection

This session offered a refreshing perspective on age-based marketing - or rather, why we need to move beyond it. Claire Paull, Isaac Bailey, and Elliot Pigram challenged the idea of relying solely on generational demographics (like Gen z or millennials) and instead pushed for interest and value based marketing.

One of the key insights mentioned from their research: at least 25% of people don’t even identify with their generation. So if marketers are putting all their energy into making assumptions about their audiences based on age (for example: only targeting Gen z on TikTok), they’re likely going to miss the mark. The speakers emphasized the importance of pushing ideas as far as they can go before pulling back, rather than limiting them from the start on age-based assumptions. 

Another point that stuck with me: small budgets can actually be a creative advantage. In a more broad way of putting it: constraints forces innovation, and that’s where the most culturally resonant ideas often come from. They also talked about the importance of giving yourself permission to fail -  because learning through experimentation is how the best ideas emerge. Overall, it was a session full of smart, practical takeaways.

1:00 PM | The tech marketer’s playbook for building a beloved social-first brand

This talk, led by Emmanuel Orssaud, Chief Marketing Officer at Duolingo, was just as bold and entertaining as the brand itself. It opened with Duo the Owl twerking in a bright bikini on stage before being told he’d have to save it for one the beach parties. It was a hilarious way to kick things off, setting the tone for a session all about creativity, boldness, and not taking yourself too seriously.

One moment that really stood out was when Orssaud explained how Duolingo uses data to stay in tune with pop culture. For example, they noticed a spike in users learning Korean around the release of Squid Game on Netflix and by the time season two rolled around, Duolingo had cleverly incorporated that trend into their marketing efforts. It was a perfect example of how timing and cultural awareness can elevate a brand’s relevance.

He also emphasized the importance of experimentation, not just with content, but with tone and personality. As someone who’s seen Duolingo’s chaotic and hilarious social media comments, I can confirm they fully lean into this approach. Their tone online is just as playful as the app notifications they send to remind users to do their language lessons.

2:45 PM | Neurodivergent Minds: They Don’t Need Advertising - Advertising Needs Them 

With so many festival sessions focused on AI and tech, this particular talk featuring up-and-coming music artist, Lola Young, stood out in the best way because it put the spotlight on human creativity, specifically the power of neurodivergent minds in the creative industry.

Rather than framing neurodivergent minds as something to manage or work around, the speakers emphasized it as a source of strength, especially in the marketing and advertising industry. Neurodivergent minds have a unique lens that can lead to out of the box creative thinking. It was a reminder that creativity doesn’t come from fitting in to a mold you are not meant to (as Lola Young’s hit song Messy sings about).

Lola Young, in particular, delivered a deeply personal and moving reflection on her recent ADHD diagnosis. At one point, I stopped taking notes just to be fully present as she read a poem about her experience. It was honest, emotional, and unlike anything else I heard all week.

4:00 PM | Meeting with Cara Cecchini and Mia Rafowitz

Our professor, Meryl Blau, arranged a meetup for our class with two University of Miami alumni, Cara Cecchini and Mia Rafowitz, at a pub just outside the Palais. It was a great opportunity to connect, ask questions, and hear firsthand about their journeys since graduating and entering the industry as young professionals. Both now work as creative directors at Droga5, one of the top creative agencies in the world.

Listening to Cara and Mia speak about their careers was incredibly grounding and inspiring. They answered our questions with honesty and thoughtfulness, offering real insight into what it takes to stand out in the industry. One of the biggest takeaways for me was the importance of putting in the extra work and being okay with looking a “little crazy” in the process if you want to create truly great work.

It was also really encouraging to see how they’ve maintained a strong connection with Meryl and the UM community even years after graduating. It reminded me just how important it is to nurture the relationships you build, especially with professors and mentors who’ve played a role in your growth.

Day 2 | Tue, June 17th

10:00 AM | Reckitt - Impact Innovators: Building a Healthier World

To start off Day 2, I grabbed a free coffee and a free personalized A.I. generated perfume from the Amazon tent (as one does) before heading into a session back in the Palais featuring Tania Bryer, Catherine Casey Nanda, Sheila Redzepi, and the one and only Serena Williams. Seeing Serena in person, even from far away, was obviously surreal. But to be honest, the talk itself felt a bit underwhelming.

One key stat that stuck with me was that women make up 90% of the global healthcare workforce, an important reminder of the critical roles women play in global systems. The speakers also introduced Reckitt Catalyst, a global initiative aimed at supporting women who are driving positive change in the world. While the message was meaningful, the conversation itself felt somewhat vague.

12 PM | Simon & Schulser - The Life Brief: Harnessing Creativity to Live a Fulfilled Life

This talk with Bonnie Wan, author of The Life Brief, was deeply impactful for me. Her session focused on how to navigate uncertainty in your life, something that felt especially relevant as I stand at the edge of this next chapter post-graduation.

One of her main takeaways was that to truly figure out what you want, you have to let yourself get messy. Allow the big, sometimes uncomfortable questions to rise and answer them honestly, even if the answers surprise you. She actually had us take a moment to write honest responses to the simple questions: What do you want? What are you avoiding or resisting?

She reminded us to invest time into reflecting on these questions and to pay attention to what truths come up. The raw and honest answers are often the ones that scare us the most, but giving in to fear only leads to letting ourselves down. She also emphasized the importance of staying in a learning mindset no matter where you are in your life or career. That perspective really stuck with me and was a much-needed reminder that uncertainty is not something to fear but a space for growth.

12:30 PM | Meet the speaker: Bonnie Wan, The Life Brief

After Bonnie’s talk there was a 30-minute window to line up meet her in person and get a free signed copy of her book. This turned out to be one of the most heartfelt moments of my day. Bonnie took the time to ask thoughtful questions about my post-grad plans and offered genuine advice. She emphasized the importance of recognizing and celebrating this achievement I have just made especially in a world that constantly pushes us to keep moving at full speed.

I genuinely plan to put her suggestions into practice: journaling for 10 minutes each day without judgment or hesitation for the two weeks following the festival. Talking with her about this stage in my life having just graduated college and receiving her encouragement felt incredibly grounding and inspirin

1:15 PM | The Quollective -  When life gives you lemons, start a lemon-flavoured revolution

This session was presented as a masterclass on cultural immersion and how to influence culture rather than simply replicate it. The talk was led by Alemu Emuron, Chief Creative Officer at The Quollective, who was an engaging and polished speaker, which made it enjoyable to listen to. That said, the content itself felt a bit underwhelming and vague. Maureen Rutabingwa, who was originally scheduled to co-present, wasn’t able to attend, and her absence was definitely felt. She played a key role in shaping the strategies discussed, and without her insights and lived experience, some of the points didn’t land as strongly as they might have. While the session was smoothly delivered, it ended up being one of the less impactful ones for me.

3:00 PM | MORE GRLS - The Negotiating Playbook for Women in Creativity - WORKSHOP

This was the first workshop I attended during the festival and it did not disappoint. Before, during, and after the session, I had the chance to network with industry professionals, from peers my age to women with years of experience. The room was filled entirely with women, and at one point, one of the speakers humorously pointed out the total absence of men. How peaceful…

Just kidding.

The focus of the session was on negotiation and how to advocate for yourself professionally. One of the most valuable pieces of advice I took away was to keep a running log of your accomplishments. It helps you track your growth and prepares you to confidently speak about your value when the time comes to ask for a raise, promotion, or new job opportunity.

The speakers also reframed rejection during negotiations as redirection, encouraging us to ask questions and understand what our companies truly value in order to stand out. No one will advocate for your personal goals more than you. It was inspiring to see women at all stages of life walk away from the session feeling more confident and empowered.

5:00 PM | The Uncensored CMO - Advertisers vs Creators: who really built poppi’s US$2bn Sale?

I ended the day attending this session with most of my fellow University of Miami students, all of us excited to see alumni and TikTok star, Alix Earle, in conversation with Joe Evans about the brand Poppi. As she walked out, we got her to throw up the “U,” which was a fun moment.

The session focused on how creators are no longer just brand ambassadors reading from a script, they’re becoming real business drivers. Alix is not only a content creator but also an investor in Poppi, which shows how deeply involved creators can be in the brands they align with. Poppi serves as a great example of how brands benefit when they give creators the freedom to lead content direction, instead of forcing a scripted message. If followers can tell a creator doesn’t actually use or care about the product, the message falls flat. Therefore, authenticity isn’t optional, it's what makes or breaks good marketing on social media.

Day 3 | Wed, June 18th

10:30 AM | Cannes Lions and Contagious - The Festival Lowdown: Wednesday

This session with Alex Jenkins and Chloe Markowicz from Contagious was a great to ease into another busy festival day. They shared highlights from the previous night's award show, including campaigns like Night Phishing and Payback Time.

The session reinforced key takeaways like the importance of letting creators speak authentically, using storytelling to sell rather than just showing off a product, and taking creative risks to achieve meaningful results. It was a smart, insightful breakdown of what makes great work stand out.

The Payback Time campaign, featuring footballer Erling Haaland, stood out as a prime example of creative risk. Instead of targeting his fans, the campaign invited his rivals to raid his in-game village, turning animosity into engagement. Haaland's genuine involvement as a long-time Clash of Clans player added authenticity to the initiative.

10:45 AM | Tik Tok - How corndogs, cucumbers and creators can change everything

I enjoyed this session because I’ve followed both Keith Lee and Logan Moffitt for quite some time on TikTok and enjoy their authentic content. While many of the points they made were familiar to me, the session still reinforced some important insights: Creators play a vital role as “trust builders” with their audiences, authenticity is key and that audiences connect deeply when creators stay true to themselves, brands often make the mistake of trying to tightly control influencers when partnering with them.

They also touched on the reality that creators will always face criticism online, and it’s important to accept that not everyone will agree with or like what you do. Learning to navigate that negativity and take genuine feedback productively is crucial to success in any field.

11:15 AM | Inside the Jury Room: Design Lions

I had been really looking forward to the talk with Dida Atassi, Mahima Mathur, and Jessica Walsh, and it definitely lived up to my expectations. I have been a fan of Jessica Walsh and her work since I started studying advertising, so hearing her insights was especially exciting. 

One of the biggest takeaways was the importance of communicating ideas clearly and effectively through design. For example, the award-winning work Ghost Town stood out because it promoted sustainability in such a powerful way that it helped people actually visualize the environmental issue, making the problem of fishing pollution feel more real and urgent. Visual storytelling goes beyond words. Great stories connect with people from all walks of life, no matter their language or background. 

Another key point was how “short-sighted” it is for brands to create campaigns that only require consumers to keep buying again and again. Brands should instead create something that lasts to build brand loyalty and trust. The idea of keeping things simple came up repeatedly. “Keep it simple stupid” is something I’ve heard from multiple professors at school. 10/10 session overall.

11:45 AM | Cannes Lions - Creative Champion Seminar - The New Creative Frontier: Ai as Muse & Marketer

This session featured two creative powerhouses: Arthur Sadoun, Chairman and CEO at Publicis Groupe, and Shantanu Narayen, Chair and CEO at Adobe. To be fully honest, I originally attended just to camp out for the next two sessions in the same theater with Reese Witherspoon and Jimmy Fallon. But this ended up being a surprisingly interesting and even comforting conversation about AI and its impact on the world.

Yes, you read that right. A comforting conversation on AI. That’s rare, especially since the topic usually sparks anxiety about robots taking over our jobs. What made this session different was how the speakers framed AI as something that can amplify human ingenuity rather than replace it. They emphasized the need for companies to treat their AI platforms as intellectual property that is commercially safe and thoughtfully regulated.

There will be AI in every industry whether we like it or not, and that is not something to be afraid of. When used well, AI can be a powerful tool to support creativity and push boundaries in a positive way. But it needs to be approached with care and intention. The speakers made it clear that AI becomes a weak and frustrating tool only when it is used lazily or without purpose. Creative industries setting a thoughtful standard for how we use AI is what will allow it to elevate creatives’ work rather than diminish it.

12:45 PM | Hello Sunshine - Joy is rebellion: hello sunshine and gen z rewrite the narrative

This session was fabulous in every way. Featuring Reese Witherspoon, famous actress and founder of Hello Sunshine, and Kory Marchisotto, Chief Marketing Officer at e.l.f. Beauty, these two women were poised, articulate, and truly inspiring to listen to, especially as a young woman.

Reese Witherspoon opened up about her early experiences in the entertainment industry, including the uncomfortable and inappropriate encounters she faced as a young actress. These experiences helped shape her vision for Hello Sunshine, the media company she founded to put women at the center of every story it tells. For too long, women’s narratives in television and film were told through the lens of the male perspective. Hello Sunshine was created to change that by empowering women to take creative control and ensure their stories are told with honesty and depth.

Kory Marchisotto spoke about e.l.f.’s bold and unapologetic marketing, specifically highlighting their recent “Too Many Dicks” campaign. The campaign called attention to the lack of gender diversity in leadership roles by using humor and direct language to make a serious point.

The session wrapped with the launch of Sunnie, Hello Sunshine’s new sister brand created for Gen Z. Sunnie focuses on helping young people navigate the highs and lows of life with confidence and optimism. It aims to tell real and relatable stories that reflect the unique challenges Gen Z faces today, continuing Hello Sunshine’s mission in a more playful and youthful tone. Easily one of my favorite talks from the week.

1:45 PM | NBCUniversal - The Late-Night Hustle: from comedic gold to a business empire

I absolutely loved this session and felt lucky to have snagged a good seat - the theatre was packed! Jimmy Fallon's stage presence is fascinating; his talent is unmistakable, and his energy is genuinely contagious. This particular session was primarily to announce his new show On Brand.

On Brand is a marketing reality-competition series premiering fall 2025 on NBC. Think of the cooking competition show Chopped meets Mad Men, but focused entirely on creating real, high-impact campaigns with real brands. Fallon leads a team of creative contestants who compete to deliver standout marketing ideas for major companies like Dunkin’, Samsung, Southwest Airlines, and etc. The winning idea gets turned into a real campaign, and the top creator earns a cash prize and national recognition.

Overall I’m excited to watch On Brand because this kind of show (where marketers compete and real campaigns result) has never existed on television before. I think it will be very interesting to get to watch marketing ideas get developed in real time.

Day 4 | Thur, June 19th

10:00 AM | Inside the jury room - PR Lions

This talk with Tom Beckam, Joaell Chca Wambura, and Archanca Jain focused on one of the most politically bold campaigns of the week, the Gulf of America Bar. The campaign, created by Tecate, involved setting up a floating bar in the Gulf of Mexico, which was both a physical space and a symbolic statement. The beer served at the bar was brewed using Gulf salt, and the space was positioned as a borderless zone meant to challenge ideas around division and identity.

What made this campaign so impactful was its clear commentary on the current political climate in the United States. It was a direct yet artful criticism that leaned into cultural pride and inclusion without being heavy-handed. The campaign took a major creative risk, and the audience responded strongly. The night before, during the award show, the room erupted with applause when the work was shown, a moment that felt deeply affirming and powerful.

Getting to hear more about the thinking behind this campaign was important to me. It reminded me that the best creative work often walks a fine line. When brands take real risks that reflect real-world tensions or injustices, they have the power to connect in lasting ways.

11:00 AM | The winning strategy of nostalgia marketing

I attended a session moderated by Carly Zipp, Global Director of Brand Marketing at Amazon Ads, which explored how nostalgia can be a powerful emotional tool that connects across generations and helps brands stay relevant today. The panel included Sofia Colantropo, Chief Marketing Officer at Omnicom Media Group; Faby Torres, Chief Marketing Officer at Gap; and Leah Kateb, a creative entrepreneur and season 6 Love Island USA star. As a big Love Island fan, I was especially excited to see Leah in person. Overall, the session was OK, but I didn’t learn many new insights about marketing. The points they made about using nostalgia as a marketing strategy felt familiar and intuitive to me already.

1:00 PM | Laughing at Doom: Using Humor to Talk about Illness/Hellscapes

I had been looking forward to this particular talk with Chris Charles, Fiona Cauley, and the legend Bill Nye the Science Guy all week, and it ended up being my favorite session of the entire festival. I grew up watching Bill Nye in school, so seeing him in person was surreal!

Not only was the session entertaining and memorable, but it also gave me a new perspective on the role of humor in advertising. One point that really stuck with me was the idea that humor can be a sign of respect and mutual understanding. Using humor in a campaign can say to the audience, “I know you’re smart and mature enough to laugh at this.” It builds a sense of trust.

I realized how powerful humor can be when it comes to connecting with people. It taps into authenticity and invites the audience in without talking down to them. Humor creates space for honesty and relatability, which is often more impactful than overly polished or sugar-coated messaging. This talk’s emphasis on using humor to reach authentic storytelling reminded me of the very first talk I attended with Jamie Lee Curtis (certain topics tend to keep coming full circle at this point in the festival).

2:00 PM | Inside the Jury Room - Direct Lions

At this point in the festival, I wasn’t taking as many notes because I was pretty burned out from the week and had already attended all of my must-see sessions.

However, this session with Rachel Kennedy, Leticia Rodrigues, and Gaetan de Peloux reinforced some important takeaways I had learned throughout the week. 1.) Marketers must remember that they are humans talking to humans. 2.) Creating simple solutions by building on a social behavior that already exists is a great strategy for making an impactful campaign. 3.) The greatest ideas always start with strong, true insights.

2:45 PM | WPP - Lessons from Shondaland: Say “Yes” to Brave Storytelling

I went into this talk without knowing who Shonda Rhimes was and her impact on television, which was embarrassing considering I am a huge fan of Grey’s Anatomy and Bridgerton. But I left as a new fan of her work. 

She emphasized not viewing audiences as just fans, but rather as communities, a mindset that should be applied in many different creative industries. She shared stories from the beginning of her career and offered advice to young professionals. As a creative person starting out, don’t take a job just because it’s offered - learn when to say yes and when to say no. She also talked about her no asshole policy: work only with people you want to work with, because hard skills can be learned but a good attitude is something you have to bring. When coming up with creative ideas, write them all down, even the bad ones, and see which ideas keep coming back to you, those are  usually the ones to go with.

Day 5 | Fri, June 20th

10:15AM | Tour of basement as a class

Since we weren’t required to attend any talks on this final day, our class took a tour of the basement where all of the awarded work is displayed. A new addition to the festival this year was a section showcasing physical work like posters and products, which made the experience even more engaging. I ended up staying in this room to look at all of the work for our entire tour because I had already taken myself through the rest of the basement earlier in the week.

11:00 AM | Festival debrief with the class

After the tour, we gathered as a class to reflect on the week. We shared some of our most impactful moments and offered advice for future students in the program. I really appreciated having this time together to hear everyone’s personal highlights and takeaways.

12:00 PM | GS&P - Going from Agency Flash in the Pan to Eternal Flame

To be fully honest, I don’t have many notes from this session. I mainly attended so I could be ready for my meeting with Meryl and Sami afterwards - and that’s okay, burnout is real.

1:00PM | Getting advice from my class professor

I goal at the beginning of the week to carve out time time with my professor, Meryl Blau, and our TA for the trip, Sami, to get advice on my post-grad career plans. This was definitely the most heartfelt moment of my day. Talking with Meryl about the next steps I should take to keep my momentum going after the trip was incredibly valuable and I really appreciated her transparency about how hard you need to work in order to be truly great at what you do. I also really appreciated her reminding me to give myself grace and recognize that I am doing my best, especially as someone who switched majors in junior year. I cannot emphasize enough how much picking Meryl’s brain during this trip has meant to me.

7:00PM | Closing Party directly after the final awards ceremony.

After the final award ceremony, we attended the closing party as a group. It had live DJs, free drinks and food, and great vibes all around. It was such a fun and celebratory way to wrap up a truly unforgettable week!

My Favorite Awarded Work

The Best Place in the World to Have Herpes - The New Zealand Herpes Foundation

Caption With Intention - Chicago Hearing Society

Considering What? - Channel 4 x Paralympics

The Final Copy of Ilon Specht - L'Oréal Paris

Better On A Better Mobile Network - Telstra

Collateral Stain Stories - Tide

The 4th Judge - The Ring Magazine

My Advice for Future Cannes Lions Students

• Coordinate a shuttle from the airport.
  Schedule and split a shuttle with your peers to get from the airport to the hotel. After a long international flight, this was such a relief. Give yourself one less thing to worry about once you land.

• Do your research ahead of time.
  You’ll probably change your mind about which talks to attend as the week goes on, that’s totally fine! But doing your research beforehand gives you a strong sense of what sessions are happening and who will be there. (This also helps with networking)! Sometimes the smaller, less flashy panels offer deeper insight and more engaging conversations. Big names on sessions might draw the crowds, but they don’t always guarantee the most compelling content.

• Bring a notebook.
  I loved having a mini notepad to jot down thoughts during talks. It was way better (for me) than typing on my phone. To each their own, but I found it easier, more efficient, and it helped me remember specific moments from the sessions much more clearly.

• Conversation openers: compliments.
  Most of the conversations I started began with a compliment of someone’s outfit. Once you break the ice, people are usually excited to share advice, chat, and exchange contact info.

• Wear comfortable shoes.
  You will walk a lot. Ladies, bring one pair of heels if you plan to go out to dressier places in the evening. My group learned this the hard way when we were turned away from a cabaret show at Medusa for not being dressed appropriately. Humbling but understandable.

• Use a work email, if possible.
  If you're trying to get into exclusive tents or talks, using a professional/work email instead of a school email can sometimes improve your chances. It’s important to remember that many attendees are there to network for business (not necessarily to connect with students) so presenting yourself professionally can help open more doors.

• Leave the hot hair tools at home.
  If you use hair tools, I honestly wouldn’t bother bringing them. I recommend embracing your natural hair texture and planning low-maintenance styles around the heat and humidity. 

• Travel after, not before.
  If you’re planning to continue traveling around Europe (like I did), I highly recommend saving your adventures for after the program. The Cannes Lions Festival is an amazing experience, but it’s also intense - long days, lots of walking, tons of socializing, constant stimulation. You’ll want to arrive fresh and well rested so you can properly soak it all in.

• SUNSCREEN. SUNGLASSES. GOOD TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS.

Final Thoughts

If you’re on the fence about going… DO IT.

Do it even if it feels out of your comfort zone. Saying yes to this experience completely changed the way I see the industry and what it takes to create truly impactful, award-worthy work - all while making new friends and traveling in one of the most beautiful regions in France.

I’ll carry the memories, insights, and creative inspiration from this trip with me for life. What an absolutely phenomenal way to close out my undergraduate chapter at the University of Miami.

Click here to view a Day-In-The-Life vlog I made while I was on the trip.