After another week under the sun at Cannes Lions 2025, one thing is abundantly clear: our industry is done talking about possibilities — it’s ready to act. From speaking engagements to packed suite meetings, and even stateside through our “Can’t Cannes” activations, the appetite for change was real — and we were right at the center of it.
A front-row seat to innovation
Experian made a powerful impact across the Croisette, partnering with Audiostack, Basis, Infillion, IQVIA, Magnite, NextRoll, Odeeo, OpenX, The Female Quotient, and the Unplugged Collective x The Digital Marketer, to contribute to some of the week’s most insightful conversations. Our thought leaders were everywhere—on stage, in studio interviews, at executive roundtables—offering a clear voice on retail media growth, pharma advertising disruption, AI innovation, and identity-driven personalization.
Three themes that defined the week
1. AI gets real
If 2024 was the year of AI buzz, then 2025 is the year AI found its footing. Conversations shifted from “what if” to “what now.”
While the promise of AI was front and center, conversations with clients and partners highlighted that we’re still in the foundational phase. Real-world applications—from creative optimization to predictive segmentation—are gaining traction, but long-term value will depend on robust data architecture and trustworthy identity frameworks.
MiQ and PMG debuted AI-integrated platforms that demonstrated how AI can automate creative, optimize budget allocation, and personalize media in real time. AI has moved from sidekick to strategist.
“Last year it was all about AI, but in a very general sense. This year, it’s about specific applications — a clear sign AI is evolving from a talking point into product.”
Budi Tanzi, VP, Product
2. Outcomes > impressions
Outcomes may have been a buzzword at Cannes, but as several industry leaders pointed out, simply saying “we drive outcomes” isn’t enough—it risks sounding like table stakes. In today’s performance-driven environment, what matters is how companies define and deliver those outcomes in unique ways. The most compelling conversations weren’t about generic promises, but about clear strategies: challenging assumptions, leaning into strengths, and making specific choices that tie data, media, and technology to measurable impact.
3. Curation isn’t just a tactic
Curation is quickly becoming the industry’s preferred approach to cutting through complexity. As marketers contend with signal loss and inconsistent inventory quality, the shift from broad access to intentional activation is gaining momentum. At Experian, we see curation not just as packaging, but as strategic alignment—where identity, data, and inventory come together in purpose-built environments that reduce waste, enhance safety, and drive performance.
“Supply-side data activation and optimization, aka “curation,” is an alternative to the traditional approach to data activation. Unlike the traditional DMP-to-DSP activation flow, curation allows buyers to leverage supply-path data more directly. The upshot? Improved performance and pricing for media agencies and brand advertisers.”
Drew Stein, Managing Director, Audigent
Bringing the Cannes experience stateside
Not everyone can make it to the South of France—so we brought Cannes to them. Our “Can’t Cannes” events in the U.S. offered local clients a first-class experience filled with insights and networking, minus the jet lag.
Final takeaways
This year’s festival made one thing clear: real progress requires more than innovation; it requires integration. And that’s where Experian is focused—connecting identity to activation, and data to outcomes, in ways that are practical, scalable, and privacy-resilient.
If I had to sum it up?
- AI is progressing from abstract to application
- Curation beats clutter
- Partnership is power
- And everyone’s aligned around performance
We’re grateful to have been part of these conversations and even more excited about where they’ll lead next.
Let’s continue the conversation
If you’re exploring how to connect identity to performance, or simplify the way you activate, measure, and grow, we’d love to talk.
Latest posts
Every brand wants to be part of the culture. Few know how to show up without crashing the party. The brands that get it right stay true to who they are, and the moments they create tend to stick long after the attention moves on. At Cannes Lions 2026, leaders from Alaska Airlines, Fetch, FreeWheel, Goodway Group, Grupo Bimbo, OAAA, PMG, Quan Media Group, Significant, The Weather Company, and Wpromote talked through what real cultural relevance looks like, from finding the right moments to keeping them alive long after the attention fades. Watch the conversation below to hear what it takes for brands to earn their place in culture. Watch the conversation How brands earn their way into cultural moments Build the strategy behind the creative A clear rationale helps bold ideas earn internal support and achieve the intended outcome. Make cultural relevance feel genuine A cultural connection lands when it reflects something people already care about, not when a brand forces it. Move quickly and stay true to the brand Teams create strong brand moments when they act on an opportunity without compromising the brand’s identity. Plan the second act Once attention drops, give people new ways to relive the experience and remain part of it. Read the early audience response Comments, shares, and other reactions can show whether an idea connects before campaign data offers a more complete view. Add value to the experience Brands earn attention when they give people something worthwhile, not when they simply place a logo in the moment. Featured partners Alaska Airlines – Eric Edge, Chief Marketing Officer Fetch – Emily Starer-Wallace, General Manager of Data Partnerships FreeWheel – Larry Allen, Vice President of Global Strategy, Data, Measurement and Addressable Goodway Group – Mike Wolk, Senior Vice President of Partnerships Grupo Bimbo – Catherine Berger, Vice President of Marketing Transformation and Services OAAA – Anna Bager, President and Chief Executive Officer PMG – Chad Stoller, Global Head of Media Quan Media Group – Brian Rappaport, Chief Executive Officer Significant – Jesse Unger, Co-Founder The Weather Company – AnneMette Bontaites, Vice President of Sales Wpromote – Deanna Cullen, Vice President of Media Investment Want more conversations like this one? Connect with us to learn more about how streaming media helps brands reach real people across every screen. This is one of several conversations from Cannes Lions 2026 on how brands can show up in culture with relevance that feels real. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our next Cannes conversation, fresh takes on cultural relevance, and honest advice from industry leaders on how brands earn a real place in culture. Subscribe to our newsletter For more from Cannes Lions 2026, continue with another conversation in the series What it takes to move patients from awareness to care What commerce media can see beyond a single retailer What streaming media reveals about cross-screen viewing What creators earn that reach can’t buy Contact us Latest posts
Watch leaders from Adobe DSP, FreeWheel, Madhive, Minerva, OpenX, and Pinterest at Cannes Lions 2026 discuss how streaming media connects viewers across screens.
Pharma marketing now runs across mixed-identity conditions. Learn how to keep DTC and HCP data separate while connecting signals across activation and measurement.