What Cannes 2026 Means for Canadian Marketers

While in Cannes I sat down with Strategy’s Neil Ewen to unpack some of my biggest takeaways from this year’s festival and why I believe Canadian marketers should continue paying close attention.

In our conversation, we discuss:

• The creative and cultural trends that will influence marketing over the coming year

• The work that stopped me in my tracks inside the Palais, where the world’s best campaigns are showcased

• Why it’s more important than ever for Canadian agencies and brands to compete on the global stage

• What I’ve learned from judging creative work and how award juries really make decisions

• Practical advice and a few insider tips for anyone planning their first trip to Cannes

One of the things I love most about Cannes is that it reminds us creativity is still our greatest competitive advantage. In a world increasingly shaped by AI, automation and optimization, the work that stands out is still deeply human. It solves real problems, creates genuine emotional connections and gives people something worth talking about.

Those are lessons that apply just as much in Canada as they do on the Croisette.

If you’re curious about where marketing is heading or you’re looking for inspiration to bring back to your own team, I hope you’ll take a few minutes to watch the conversation.

But if you want to go even deeper, book my Decoding Cannes keynote speech where I decodes the trends in marketing, tech, and culture — and show your team how to turn insight into action.