Cannes Lions reveals content programme line-up; over 250 speakers confirmed to take the stage

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cannes2015.jpgCannes Lions is poised to deliver its most diverse content programme to date. More than 250 speakers have been confirmed as taking to the stage during the Festival in June, all of whom will offer insights and inspiration from an array of creative disciplines.

Says Philip Thomas, CEO, Lions Festivals: “One of the most common questions I am asked is how we choose the speakers at Cannes Lions.

“When you come to Cannes Lions, we say you should bring an open mind and expect to have it broadened. We programme the high profile industry people you know you need to see alongside people you’d never expect, household names alongside incredible as-yet unknowns. But the criteria are simple – can they influence and inspire the industry to make better work? The 2015 programme is packed with people that can and will.”

High-profile names

Big names from the music industry include the Lion-winning Pharrell Williams, who will join iHeartMedia to look at how different areas of creativity can be brought together, and the controversial Marilyn Manson who joins Tor Myhren for the 9th Annual Grey Music Seminar.

As the United Nations gets set to launch global goals to end extreme poverty and tackle climate change, Richard Curtis will join SAWA (Global Cinema Advertising Association) to talk about his seven-day global campaigns aim, which the UN has called the biggest pro-bono marketing challenge of the century. SAWA, the Global Cinema Advertising Association, who are founding partners to the initiative, will launch at Cannes Lions the first ever global Cinema campaign bringing Curtis along with BBH founder, Sir John Hegarty and journalist and presenter, Mariella Frostrup together on stage.

Elsewhere, Publicis Groupe chairman and CEO Maurice Lévy meets the rockstar DJ David Guetta, while award-winning actress and comedian, Julia Louis-Dreyfus joins HBO Chairman and CEO, Richard Plepler.

Science and technology

Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the computer scientist responsible for developing the World Wide Web, will take to the stage with PHD’s Worldwide CEO Mike Cooper to look at the next great tech revolution of Artificial Intelligence, while Cosmopolitan’s editor-in-chief, Joanna Coles, will discuss adapting to the generation of Millennials with Snapchat’s co-founder & CEO, Evan Spiegel.

Global creativity

Multi-award winning Japanese agency, Hakuhodo, will decode the complex creative landscape, while FCB will reveal how the eclectic LatAm region has found a way to tap into its culture and create award-winning campaigns which are wildly creative.

Production talent

Viewed as the most popular podcast in the world, Serial has received 80 million downloads. The Executive Producer, Julie Snyder, Producer, Dana Chivvis and Host, Sarah Koenig, will join McKinney’s Jonathan Cude for a behind the scenes look at how expert storytelling combined with rigorous reporting turned the record-breaking podcast into a global cultural phenomenon.

High performing brands

As European brand Heineken take the Creative Marketer of the Year Award this year, its senior brand director, Gianluca Di Tondo and executive director global marketing, Soren Hagh, take delegates on a tour of legendary creativity, exploring the importance of having the right partners, the right culture and the right brand of creative leadership.

The Cannes Lions programme this year sees speakers coming from 24 different countries. Content is delivered through main stage seminars as well as more targeted workshops, forums and master classes. In total more than 150 sessions will take place across the 7-day Festival week.

The full programme is now available online at www.canneslions.com, where further information on the delegate packages available can also be found. Cannes Lions, now in its 62nd year, runs from 21-27 June in Cannes, France.