Our team at Innovation Leo Burnett had the incredible opportunity to attend the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2024, and we are brimming with inspiration, knowledge, and creative energy. Four of us—Xenia Chatziioannidou (General Manager & President of Young Lions Cyprus 2024), Nina Tsillidou (Multimedia Designer), Maria Kosma (Social Media Coordinator), and Oriana Ornithari (Account Manager & Production Lead)—participated, and we're excited to share our experiences and key takeaways from this prestigious event. We're also proud to highlight that our General Manager presided over the Young Lions Cyprus 2024, facilitating the participation of 10 talented Cypriots in the Young Lions Competition. Moreover, we celebrated a historic achievement as Marios Paschalidis became the first Cypriot student to win at the Roger Hatchuel Student Academy, a testament to the burgeoning creative talent in Cyprus.
The festival kicked off with a powerful keynote by Nick Law, Creative Chairperson of Accenture Song, who spoke about creativity as the great connector. He urged us to “take friction from the mundane and add texture to the humane,” emphasizing the need to balance invisibility and immersion to create the best experiences.
Jim Stengel, President and CEO of The Jim Stengel Company, moderated a lively session with CMOs, including Manuel Arroyo of Coca-Cola, who highlighted the importance of inclusive leadership. Arroyo's message resonated deeply: “Leadership is about creating the conditions in which people flourish.”
Day 2 featured a delightful session with SNL’s Kenan Thompson and Chris Symmes, Head of Marketing at Hellmann’s North America. They reminded us of the power of humour in breaking boundaries and connecting with audiences.
Marcel Marcondes, Global CMO at AB InBev, shared insights on the value of continuous learning, while podcaster Jay Shetty provided valuable advice on resilience: “Keep using that rejection as redirection... Ask, ‘what can I apply that can incrementally make this better?’”
A highlight was Halle Berry relaying the Olympic Torch down the Croisette, an inspiring moment that celebrated perseverance and unity.
Wednesday’s highlights included a captivating talk by Elon Musk, Chief Technology Officer of X, discussing innovation, the universe, and AI's impact on creativity. Esi Eggleston Bracey from Unilever emphasized balancing consistency with evolution in marketing strategies.
Randi Stipes of The Weather Company, along with the United Nations Development Programme, discussed climate change and the role of brands in mitigating its impact. Alemu Emuron of The Quollective energized the audience with his perspective on African storytelling: “In Africa, the crowd is the hero.”
Thursday continued the theme of humour in creative work. Steven He, a comedy sketch creator, detailed his meticulous process of crafting punchlines and narratives. The team behind the film *Poor Things* shared insights on their art direction, emphasizing the beauty of minimal editing.
Rebecca Sowden, founder of Team Heroine and former New Zealand National Women’s Football player, highlighted the untapped potential of engaging with women’s sports fans. Yannis Konstantinidis of NOMINT inspired us with his take on animation as a universal language for change.
The final day brought visionary talks from industry icons like Cindy Gallop, Sir John Hegarty, and the founders of GUT, Anselmo Ramos and Gaston Bigio. Their provocative and inspiring sessions set the agenda for the future of creativity.
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Maria Ressa delivered a rousing keynote on truth and democracy, culminating in her receiving the prestigious Cannes LionHeart Award. We also celebrated the lifetime achievements of Jacques Séguéla, a French advertising pioneer, who was honoured with the Lion of St Mark.
As we return home, we carry with us a renewed sense of purpose and a wealth of ideas ready to be implemented. The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2024 has not only elevated our understanding of the industry but also solidified our commitment to pushing creative boundaries.
We are incredibly proud of Xenia Chatziioannidou's leadership in Young Lions Cyprus 2024 and of Marios Paschalidis, the first Cypriot winner at the Roger Hatchuel Student Academy. These achievements highlight the growing talent in Cyprus and our dedication to fostering creative excellence.
Stay tuned as we translate the insights and inspiration from Cannes into groundbreaking work that continues to push the envelope of creativity.