The FreeWheel Beach at Cannes Lions

Plage Goéland, Boulevard de la Croisette
Monday 16 to Thursday 19 June 2025

About

We’re thrilled to announce the FreeWheel Beach will be returning to Cannes Lions in 2025.

We’ll showcase recent industry advances, predict what’s next in advertising, and soak up the sun on the French Riviera. Stop by to mix and mingle, attend a session, or have a one-on-one chat with a FreeWheel expert.

Join the conversation on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Agenda

Join the FreeWheel team to see global experts speak about the undeniable power of premium video in driving business results. You’ll hear from leaders across the industry as they discuss the future of TV and the impact of streaming.

DAILY EVENTS

Breakfast Buffet

9:00 AM – 11:00 AM, Tuesday – Thursday

Lunch

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM, Tuesday – Thursday

Happy Hour

5:00 PM – 8:30 PM, Monday & Tuesday

3:00 - 4:00 PM
The New Face of FAST: The Power of Content, Distribution & Audiences

The television industry is evolving quickly, and so is the face of FAST. What was once merely known as free content is now becoming an integral part of the streaming ecosystem and marketers’ media mixes. In this session, you’ll hear perspectives from a variety of key industry partners about the future of FAST, from its challenges to its solutions in unlocking incremental value for advertisers and creating the best experience for viewers.

XUMO
3:00 - 3:20 PM
Fireside Discussion: The FAST Lane: Reshaping Sports Distribution & Monetization

As streaming continues to surge, publishers and premium brands are rethinking how they reach audiences – balancing accessibility, scale and user experience. This session will explore the strategies and innovations that are driving success beyond the sidelines and unpack the new distribution playbook that is reshaping how fans consume live sports.

Ying Wang
GM, Xumo Advertising - moderator

Tim Clark
Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer, NASCAR

Keisha Taylor Starr
Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer and GM, Scripps Networks

3:20 - 3:45 PM
Panel Discussion: From Broadcast to FAST: The Evolution of Brand Storytelling in Ad-Supported Media

The advertising industry continues to adapt to new formats, platforms, data and technology – and the ad-supported streaming world is no exception. This panel dives into how the industry is currently viewing and leveraging the evolving media ecosystem, specifically focusing on the interplay between traditional TV, cable, streaming, and FAST. We'll explore how brands, agencies, and publishers are reimagining storytelling and engagement strategies to effectively reach and captivate audiences across these diverse, ad-supported environments.

Mark Stenberg
Senior Media Reporter, ADWEEK - moderator

Carla Dodds
Chief Marketing Officer, The Aaron’s Company

Lauren Israel
Global Chief Commercial Officer, OneVue (IPG/Kenvue)

Eli Zang
VP Head of Sales, Xumo Advertising

5:00 – 8:30 PM
Happy Hour

Kick off the week with FreeWheel and Little Grey Cells Club at our Monday Happy Hour, an exclusive gathering of the world’s most elite senior-level marketers on the FreeWheel Beach. Come and make valued connections with top-tier marketing leaders and ease into the 2025 Cannes Lions Festival with cocktails, canapés and a DJ until 8:30 PM.

LITTLE GREY CELLS
9:00 – 11:00 AM
Breakfast and Welcome Reception
9:00 – 11:00 AM
Proof of Performance: The Power of Premium Video in Driving Measurable, Sustainable Business Results

For decades, TV—now shorthand for all the platforms delivering premium video content—has been the effective centerpiece of advertisers’ media strategies. But in the social era of “last click” attribution and instant reporting, TV doesn’t always get the credit it deserves for influencing action and driving sales.

In 2025, that’s changing.

Thanks to advanced data and new technologies, it’s now possible (and illuminating!) to measure TV’s proof of performance throughout the purchase funnel.

What are we saying? It’s Simple: Premium Video Performs.

Comcast Advertising
9:30 - 9:40 AM
Welcome to FreeWheel Beach!

Mark McKee
General Manager, FreeWheel

9:40 - 10:00 AM
Innovations in Performance for Premium Video

Most advertisers agree that data and technology is making it easier to use TV as a performance engine. Yet, the majority also say that more is needed in order for them to shift more media dollars into the medium. This panel will discuss recent advances that do just that—make it easier to drive and prove TV’s effectiveness.

Sarah Sluis
Executive Editor, AdExchanger - Moderator

Jason Kodish
Chief Media, Data & Analytics Officer, Dentsu

Dan Pantelo
Founder and CEO, Marpipe

Dawn Williamson
Chief Revenue Officer, Comcast Advertising

10:00 - 10:25 AM
Agencies & Brands: Partnering for Better Performance

Across the globe, driving better performance for brands takes a media village—including the unique relationship between a brand and its agency. This panel explores that relationship, delving into the latest innovations that one major industry holding company is bringing to advertisers, and hearing how two of its clients from opposites sides of “the pond” are tapping into these strategies, and beyond, to drive performance in a changing media landscape.

James Rooke
President, Comcast Advertising - Moderator

Sophie Ahmad
Chief Consumer Officer, Sky

Todd Arata
SVP, Brand & Integrated Marketing Communications, Xfinity

Carla Serrano
Chief Strategy Officer, Publicis Groupe

10:25 - 10:45 AM
Premium Video: Bringing the Power of Performance to Brands of All Sizes

Advertising innovation within the premium video category is opening TV to a broader range of advertisers and offering greater simplicity in terms of planning, buying and measuring the performance of TV campaigns to advertisers of all sizes. This panel encompasses the publisher, advertiser and agency perspectives on how premium video can best perform in the current media landscape.

James Grant
General Manager, Universal Ads - Moderator

John Halley
President, Paramount Advertising

Alison Levin
President, Advertising & Partnerships, NBCUniversal

Jasmine Taylor
Vice President of Brand Marketing, Instacart

Gene Turner
President, Global Chief Client Officer, Horizon Media

11:10 - 11:15 AM
Welcome - Televisionaries: The TV Leaders Panel

Thomas Bremond
Managing Director, International, Comcast Advertising

11:15 – 12:15 PM
Televisionaries: The TV Leaders Panel

The commercial chiefs from Channel 4, ITV, Sky, and Disney come together for a candid and thought-provoking discussion on the future of TV.

They’ll explore TV’s latest developments, the impact of streaming, how the TV companies are collaborating in new and innovative ways, and the opportunities for brands keen to get the best out of today’s TV.

Thinkbox

Lindsey Clay
Chief Executive, Thinkbox – Moderator

Deborah Armstrong
Senior Vice President, Disney Advertising EMEA
& Country Manager UK & Ireland

Brett Aumuller
Managing Director, Sky

Rak Patel
Chief Commercial Officer, Channel 4

Kelly Williams
Managing Director, Commercial, ITV

12:30 – 2:00 PM
Lunch
4:00 – 5:00 PM
Measure, Create, Transform: CIMM’s Media Future Forum at Cannes

Explore the convergence of creativity, AI and measurement with CIMM. Through expert fireside chats and cross-industry dialogue, discover how collaboration is reshaping the future of global media.

CIMM
4:00 - 4:15 PM
Humans vs. Algorithms: The Creative Crossroads

Amidst all the AI hype lies real tension amongst designers and wordsmiths — the push-and-pull between human creativity and algorithmic optimization. Is it possible to walk the line between automation and authenticity? Or are we headed for a brave new world of campaigns developed in the absence of (human) nuance and ingenuity?

Govind Balakrishnan
SVP, Express Product Group & Digital Media Services, Adobe

Sue DeSilva
EVP, Executive Creative Director, Digitas

Jon Watts
Managing Director, CIMM

4:20 - 4:35 PM
Evolve or Evaporate: Agency Reinvention in the Age of AI

It’s no surprise that AI is changing the media buying and measurement process — but it’s also creating friction, and challenging the very nature of how agencies provide value to clients. Can agencies thrive alongside the algorithms and bots designed to optimize them out of the equation?

Tameka Kee
SVP, Programming & Operations, CIMM

Jiyoung Kim
Chief Operating Officer, WPP Media North America

4:35 - 5:00 PM
All Together Now: Collaboration in Media’s Chaotic New Era

Media owners, agencies and platforms are being asked to deliver better results amidst market uncertainty and dramatic shifts in the way people consume content. This discussion explores why greater collaboration is the only way forward.

Tina Daniels
President & COO, Aquila

Vineet Mehra
Chief Marketing Officer, Chime

James Rooke
President, Comcast Advertising

Jon Watts
Managing Director, CIMM

5:00 – 8:30 PM
Comcast Advertising Happy Hour

Join Comcast Advertising on the beach after programming for a happy hour filled with refreshing cocktails and great conversation.

Comcast Advertising
9:00 – 11:00 AM
Breakfast
10:00 – 12:30 PM
Vive le Live with NBCUniversal and FreeWheel

From culture-shaping talent that unites brands and fans, to bold entertainment that cultivates business impact, to empowering news that informs viewers, and can't-miss sporting events that every advertiser can access, NBCUniversal is powering up its live programming this year and next to deliver unprecedented performance, reach, and opportunity. Join NBCUniversal at FreeWheel Beach for a window into the evolving role of advertising within storytelling and an immersive live experience with the beloved talent and IP that bring fans and brands closer together.

Vive le Live
10:00 – 10:05 AM
Opening Remarks

Mark Marshall
Chairman, Global Advertising & Partnerships, NBCUniversal

10:05 – 10:10 AM
Show Begins: Vive le Live – The Ultimate Live Content Experience

Zuri Hall
Television Host, American Ninja Warrior; Access Hollywood; Live from E! - Host

10:10 – 10:40 AM
Window to the World: From the 30 Rock Studios to the Croisette

Kick off your morning at Cannes with a live look into the latest news and entertainment happening on the Croisette, with Co-anchor of “TODAY” and NBC News Chief Legal Correspondent, Savannah Guthrie. Dive into the power of passion and creativity with special guest interviews including Jon M. Chu, Director, Wicked and Wicked: For Good.

Jon M. Chu
Director, Wicked and Wicked: For Good

Savannah Guthrie
Co-anchor of “TODAY” and NBC News Chief Legal Correspondent

10:40 – 11:10 AM
Leveling the Playing Field for the World’s Biggest Moments in Sports

It’s no secret that NBCUniversal will host nearly 40% of big event viewership in 2026. From the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics to the Super Bowl LX to the NBA All-Star Weekend and the Spanish-Language FIFA World Cup, NBC Sports and Telemundo Deportes will dominate the marketplace while opening up the ecosystem for advertisers of all sizes. Hear from Host & Play-by-Play, NBC Sports, Mike Tirico as he gives a ’25/’26 sports preview alongside beloved guests from the world’s biggest sporting events including Sports Anchor & Play-by-Play, Luis Omar Tapia, and Figure Skater, Milan Olympics Hopeful, and 2025 World Champion Alysa Liu, and NBA Champion, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist, Kyle Kuzma.

Kyle Kuzma
NBA Champion, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist

Alysa Liu
Figure Skater, Milan Olympics Hopeful, 2025 World Champion

Luis Omar Tapia
Sports Anchor & Play-by-Play

Mike Tirico
Host & Play-by-Play, NBC Sports

11:15 – 11:40 AM
The Power of Pop Culture: Turning Global Phenomenon into Business Impact

Pop culture seeks to entertain audiences of all demographics, from the buzziest movies, to the latest in music, to the 411 on celebrity news and Bravolebrities. This source of entertainment not only energizes fans within highly engaged communities, but also offers opportunities for influencers, brands, artists, podcasters, and more to capitalize on the sensation, turning global phenomenon into real business impact. Experience a sneak peek of the year in pop culture with Host & Executive Producer, “Las Culturistas Culture Awards”; Cast Member, Saturday Night Live; Emmy-nominated Comedian, Actor, and Writer, Bowen Yang and Host & Executive Producer, “Las Culturistas Culture Awards”; Comedian, Actor, and Writer, Matt Rogers, featuring Heather Gay, Cast Member, Bravo’s “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City”, Kyle Cooke, Cast Member, Bravo’s “Summer House,” and Amanda Batula, Cast Member, Bravo’s “Summer House”, as they address the power of pop culture and bold entertainment.

Amanda Batula
Cast Member, Bravo’s “Summer House”

Kyle Cooke
Cast Member, Bravo’s “Summer House”

Heather Gay
Cast Member, Bravo’s “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City”

Matt Rogers
Host & Executive Producer, “Las Culturistas Culture Awards”; Comedian, Actor, and Writer

Bowen Yang
Host & Executive Producer, “Las Culturistas Culture Awards”; Cast Member, Saturday Night Live; Emmy-nominated Comedian, Actor, and Writer

11:45 – 12:20 PM
Behind-The-Scenes of “On Brand with Jimmy Fallon”

Get an exclusive sneak peek at one of the most anticipated competition reality series set to air Fall 2025, “On Brand with Jimmy Fallon.” Jimmy Fallon and marketing guru, Bozoma Saint John will pull back the curtain on the creative process of marketing and prove that the next great idea can come from anyone. They’ll be joined by Chief Marketing Officer of NBCUniversal Advertising & Partnerships, Josh Feldman, to explore the consumer connection to marketing and the true power of storytelling.

Jimmy Fallon
Award-winning Host of “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and Chief Creative Officer, “On Brand with Jimmy Fallon"

Bozoma Saint John
Chief Marketing Officer, “On Brand with Jimmy Fallon” and Cast Member, Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”

Josh Feldman
Chief Marketing Officer, NBCUniversal Advertising & Partnerships

12:20 - 12:30 PM
Closing Remarks
12:30 – 2:00 PM
Lunch
9:00 – 11:00 AM
Breakfast
12:00 – 2:00 PM
Lunch

Speakers

Be Inspired

We’re looking forward to welcoming
you to the FreeWheel Beach.

Join us

Are you able to join us in Cannes this year?
Click here to register for sessions.