Cannes Lions First Impressions
The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2025 was nothing short of incredible. Although I’d heard great things, I kept my expectations low and went with an open mind.
From the moment I boarded my flight, the energy was electric. Most passengers were heading to the same destination, and people were swapping business cards mid-air. One generous seatmate even covered my taxi to the hotel – everyone appeared to be in great spirits!
By the time I touched down in London a week later, I felt mentally charged and creatively fuelled after being surrounded by CEOs, CMOs, celebrities and role models alike.
Navigating the Chaos: Strategy Meets Spontaneity
Each day brought hundreds of brand activations. Some official, some off-schedule which tested both my networking stamina and organisational finesse.
To make the most of it, you needed to be prepared and flexible. Many events required pre-registration, most overlapped, and distances across town weren’t ideal for quick turnarounds. Add the South of France heat, long queues and limited capacities, and punctuality became non-negotiable.
Serena Williams, Reckitt and Real Impact
Day two marked my official start at the festival. I attended a powerful talk featuring Serena Williams and Reckitt, hosted by CNBC’s Tania Bryer.
The session explored how businesses and changemakers can accelerate progress toward a cleaner, healthier world. In just half an hour, we got genuine insight into Reckitt’s impactand how Serena plans to be hands-on in driving future change.
Rooftop Networking and Haute Couture Balmain Whisky
After missing our next scheduled talk (we were still finding our footing), we headed to the Creators Rooftop. We stopped by LTK, YouTube and Adobe for face-to-face conversations with brand reps and occasionally, heads of marketing.
Free treats and a complimentary lunch kept us fuelled and surprisingly out of pocket. From there, we went straight to a captivating talk with Olivier Rousteing and Diageo’s Luxury Group.
Olivier shared his creative process behind the “haute couture” whisky collaboration with Johnnie Walker. The flavours, packaging, and storytelling offered a masterclass in sensory craftsmanship. His passion was magnetic.
Champagne, Strategy, and Issa Rae on the Riviera
Later that afternoon, I discovered HarbourView – a global investment firm focused on inclusive opportunities in entertainment and media.
Their yacht quickly became a personal festival highlight. It offered a peaceful escape from the buzz, alongside inspiring discussions between creatives and investors. The champagne and sweeping Riviera views didn’t hurt either.
Here, Issa Rae shared the launch of her new management company, aimed at empowering women and people of colour. The announcement felt timely, bold, and deeply motivating.
Final Thoughts: What I’d Do Differently
By the end of the first day, one thing was obvious. Arriving earlier would have helped me settle in and plan more strategically.
Even so, the experience delivered beyond expectation. Whether you’re there to learn, connect, pitch or simply be inspired, Cannes Lions offers a powerful, energising blend of creativity and opportunity.