Purpose, Data, Empathy, and AI: Highlights from Cannes Lions
By Shrenik Gandhi
Yesterday was a classic Cannes. A little sunburn, a lot of walking, and five sessions that left my head buzzing in the best way.
1. Luana Iurillo (Pernod Ricard) – Purpose Without Pretence
Luana opened the day with the kind of honesty you want to see on big stages. No jargon, no performance, just a reminder that belief inside an organisation can sometimes outmuscle even the biggest budgets. Pernod Ricard's journey from internal conviction to global resonance is proof that when purpose is real, it travels.
2. Emily Twomey (Razorfish) with Peggy Fang Roe (Marriott) & Amy Hu (New York Life) – Data That Cares
Emily said, 'Data needs a soul.' I've seen enough dashboards to know how easily we forget that. The panel didn't just talk about numbers, they talked about impact. No grand claims, just a clear point: data is only as good as the lives it touches. I was scribbling notes like it was final-year college all over again.
3. Global CMO Roundtable – Media Is Now Empathy
This session felt like eavesdropping on the smartest dinner table in the business. One CMO put it simply: 'Media planning is empathy planning now.' That line landed hard. It's not about reach anymore; it's about relevance and respect. I bumped into a couple of old industry friends from India — those spontaneous Cannes reunions that feel like catching your breath.
4. Andy Bird (ex-Disney) – Campaigns That Truly Heal
Andy walked us through work that didn't just get clicks, it changed lives. The 'Neki Ki Raah' campaign, where dhaba menus doubled as eye tests, stood out. That's the kind of storytelling that stays with you and gets stuck to your soul.
5. Jason Morton & Don Sklenka (Claritas) – AI Can't Feel
The last session of the day. No fear-mongering, no hype. Just one perfect line: 'AI can write, but it can't feel.' I closed my notebook and let that linger. Technology can do a lot, but it can't replace the human pulse at the heart of our craft.
Evening: The Awards
India didn't win big in numbers, but FCB's 'Lucky Yatra' picking up a Gold Lion had the whole contingent beaming. Watching that team walk up, you could feel what it meant. When one of us wins, it lifts all of us a little higher.
Reflection
This is my second time at Cannes. Last year, I was wide-eyed. Feels different now — last year was wide-eyed. This time, more grounded. I'm walking away with a full notebook, a fuller heart, and a tiny voice saying, 'We've got this too.'
(The writer, Co-founder and CEO, White Rivers Media, is an attendee at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2025. Views expressed are personal.)
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