UK Advertising has unveiled a schedule of 27 events to highlight UK creativity at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity.

The ‘Business of Creativity’ programme is being backed by the Advertising Association, APA, Clear Channel, Mail Metro Media, Pinterest, Sky Media and UK Advertising Exports Group (UKAEG). The programme will include a Global Dinner created in partnership with BBC Studios and featuring the award-winning satirist, presenter and producer Munya Chawawa as an after-dinner speaker. The event will also include networking roundtables with global media organisations including Reuters Plus and Campaign.

The unstoppable rise of women’s sports will be in focus in an interview with Lioness and entrepreneur Mary Earps, in partnership with Relo Metrics, along with a session with ex-Lioness Carly Telford and Liverpool FC’s Gemma Bonner.

The week-long showcase, coordinated by UKAEG and led by UKAEG Chair and exports ambassador Julian Douglas, will connect 40 UK businesses with global leaders to explore how creative effectiveness can help grow their businesses.

UK Advertising’s ‘Business of Creativity’ programme will offer attendees the chance to delve into topics such as the upcoming summer of sports, creative effectiveness and strategic storytelling.

There will be an inspirational networking breakfast and panel with Microsoft on Championing Women in AI, highlighting the importance of Inclusive Artificial Intelligence.

Highlight sessions also include ‘Beyond the Title: Understanding the Modern CMO’ with Rightmove CMO Matt Bushby, and Cathay Pacific’s Head of Marketing & Lifestyle (Europe) Lisa Delaney who will discuss the ‘Taylor Swift Effect’ at the Empower Café.

In addition, there will be an Indie Creative Leaders Meet-Up. The programme will culminate in the England vs Denmark men’s Euros game shown at the APA villa. The full UK Advertising programme is supported by partners including the Advertising Association, APA, Clear Channel, Mail Metro Media, Pinterest, Sky Media, and UKAEG.

To support UK Advertising’s growing programme on the ground, UKAEG is running a special podcast ‘Caught up on Cannes’ in partnership with Storythings. The daily podcast will provide a 10-minute one-stop shop for all global news from Cannes Lions each day, ensuring attendees stay informed and engaged with the latest developments and insights. 

UK Advertising will also be tracking Team UK’s performance in terms of award wins with UK agencies hoping to top last year's haul of 106 Cannes Lions. 

While in Cannes, 12 young creatives will compete on behalf of the UK in the Global Young Lions competition, across the categories Design, Digital, Film, Marketers, Media, and Print, which last year saw Marion Miranda and Joe Sayer from the Leith Agency win Gold.

Aisling Conlon, International Director for UK Advertising, Advertising Association, explained: “We are excited to once again bring together the brightest minds in UK advertising to showcase the immense talent and creativity that our industry has to offer. Cannes Lions provides a unique platform to not only celebrate our achievements but also to explore new avenues for growth and collaboration on a global scale.”

Julian Douglas, Chair of the UKAEG and Group CEO at VCCP, added: “We’re excited to reveal our fantastic line-up for Cannes Lions 2024, where industry professionals can connect, learn, and be inspired. As the global advertising landscape evolves, UK Advertising is dedicated to being at the forefront, championing creativity, driving innovation, and shaping the future of our industry.”

For a full list of events and to join UK Advertising at Cannes Lions 2024, head to the website. For those interested in joining the UK Advertising Exports Group at their future events, such as SXSW, please email [email protected].