We were excited to support our members during the 2025 Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity 2025, and to network, discover, and discuss the latest innovations with industry partners. Discussions on La Croisette spanned a range of topics, including AI, creators & creativity, commerce media, CTV/streaming, measurement, technology, and more engaging conversations.
Check out some key insights from our IAB CEO, David Cohen, and IAB Tech Lab CEO, Tony Katsur on this year’s Cannes Festival.
2025 Cannes Photos
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Executive Recaps
You can read insights and thoughts from our IAB CEO David Cohen, and IAB Tech Lab CEO, Tony Katsur who were on La Croisette de Cannes during the Festival.
As Cannes 2025 winds down I find myself reflecting on over 20 years of attending the Festival. When I started coming, there were no activations on the beach, hardly any media folks in attendance and certainly no digital companies on the Croisette. I was a digital media guy walking amongst creative legends, and it was incredibly inspiring and humbling.
Now, the Festival looks nothing like it did back then although the same energy, creativity and optimism fills the streets from morning, until well…morning.
Au Revoir Cannes Lions 2025 – A Recap from the IAB Tech Lab: AI Urgency, CTV Standards, and the Future of Digital Media
As the dust (and sand) settles from Cannes Lions 2025, the IAB Tech Lab is reflecting on what we saw, heard, and discussed with industry leaders from around the world. While creativity took its usual spotlight, this year’s conversations pointed to some major shifts—and some critical gaps—in how we’re collectively preparing for the future.
Cannes was fine. And that’s a problem.I just got back from my first Cannes Lions. Everyone’s been asking: How was it?
Truthfully, it was…fine.
I know, I know, who the hell describes a week in the South of France as “fine”?! The setting is incredible. Great food and wine, stunning views, five-star events. That part was 10/10. But that’s not what I’m here to discuss.
AI stole the spotlight, but Cannes made clear that human imagination still drives the machine. IAB vice-president of AI, Caroline Giegerich, shares why the creative industry doesn’t need to brace for impact – it needs to get sharper about the choices ahead.
The question at Cannes Lions 2025 wasn’t whether AI would dominate. It did, predictably and pervasively. The conversation had evolved beyond the breathless hype that characterized previous years.
IAB and IAB Tech Lab Executives in Cannes
David Cohen
Chief Executive Officer
IAB
Anthony Katsur
Chief Executive Officer
IAB Tech Lab
Sheryl Goldstein
EVP, Chief Industry Growth Officer
IAB
Carryl Pierre-Drews
EVP, Chief Marketing Officer
IAB
Collin Colburn
VP, Commerce & Retail Media
IAB
While In Cannes
We met with our members and participated in partner panel discussions on the issues most impacting the industry.
Monday | June 16, 2025
The New Brand Code: Disrupting the Status Quo.
Carryl Pierre-Drews
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Chief Suite at 67 Bd de la Croisette, Cannes
Roundtable: The Invisible Friction in CTV Buying Today
David Cohen
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Spectrum Reach Suite at Apt 57, 57 Blvd De La Croisette, Cannes
Scaling CTV: Creative Innovation Meets Standardization
Anthony Katsur
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
GumGum’s Le Rétro Studio at 44 Bd de la Croisette, Cannes
Google’s Welcome to Cannes Reception
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
The Google Beach, Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes
By Invitation Only
Tuesday | June 17, 2025
Closing the Loop: How Agencies Can Drive Revenue by Getting Closer to the Sale
Collin Colburn
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Infillion Garden at the Mondrian Cannes
The Compliance Layer: Tech Standards for a Trusted Identity Future
Anthony Katsur
11:35 AM – 11:55 AM
Lions Beach House on La Plage Croisette, Cannes
Curation Over Caution: Unlocking Campaign Performance in News
Anthony Katsur
2:45 PM – 3:15 PM
OpenX Apartment Suite at 3 Bd de la Croisette apt 401, Cannes
Wednesday | June 18, 2025
Unlocking Creative Performance Across Platforms: How AD-ID Supports Marketers to Drive Big Results
Anthony Katsur
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
VideoAmp’s Penthouse at 52 blvd de la Croisette, Cannes
Guiding AI with Humanity: The Decisions Ad Leaders Need To Make To Turn An “Existential Threat” Into Positive Change
David Cohen
12:30 PM
Infillion Garden at the Mondrian Cannes
Kroger & Barrows VIP Lunch with Chef Fabio Viviani: Immersive Media in the Aisles
Collin Colburn
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Kroger Salon, KPM Private Suite, Boulevard de la Croisette & Square Merimiee, Cannes
Creative Intelligence: Where Culture, Tech, and Media Collide
Carryl Pierre-Drews
4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
MediaLink Beach, Cannes
From Ads to Answers: How AI Will Reshape Advertising in the Next 18 Months
Sheryl Goldstein
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Ogury Suite at Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes
Verve Recharge Panel Happy Hour
Anthony Katsur
5:30 PM
10 Rue des Frères Pradignac, 06400 Cannes, France
Thursday | June 19, 2025
Watermarks, Trust, and the New Identity Infrastructure
Anthony Katsur
12:00 PM – 12:20 PM
Lions Beach House on La Plage Croisette, Cannes