Cannes Lions 2025: A Celebration of Creativity, Culture, and Human Truths

From inspiring talks to unexpected run-ins on the beach, Cannes Lions 2025 was a potent mix of conversations, connection, and creativity. For those who’ve never been, Cannes isn’t just about glitz and rosé (though there’s plenty of that too). It’s about ideas — and more importantly, the people behind them.

Ideas Meet Culture

In the house for a special live recording of Questlove Supreme ft. Malcolm Gladwell.

One of the highlights was seeing the cross-pollination of industries and perspectives. From Questlove interviewing Malcolm Gladwell on stage, to NBA icons like Dirk Nowitzki, Blake Griffin, Dwyane Wade, and Draymond Green discussing leadership and legacy — Cannes blurred the lines between entertainment, sport, and storytelling in all the right ways.

There was also the surreal moment of Olympic champion Noah Lyles casually shooting hoops on the beach, while just a few steps away, Jimmy Fallon introduced his new show with his trademark energy and sharp insight on staying relevant in a crowded content world. And of course, Diplo closing the week with a DJ set right by the sea — the perfect soundtrack to wrap up days of inspiration.

Where Human Truths Come to Life

What stood out most to me, though, was the reaffirmation of something we at HYPE talk about every day: great ideas need grounding in real human understanding.

Throughout the talks and panels, there was a shared acknowledgment that the most impactful creative work doesn’t just look good — it resonates. It reflects something true about the audience, the moment, or the culture it’s stepping into. That’s what we call Human Truths — and it was a thrill to see how seriously the industry is taking them.

Connection Over Competition

Cannes is also about community. I had the chance to connect with brilliant people from all corners of the creative and marketing world. Some were long-overdue catch-ups, others were brand-new introductions that I’m excited to build on. There’s something uniquely energizing about sharing ideas on a rooftop one minute, then bumping into a global CMO or rising creative talent the next.

Yes, I even found time to shoot a few hoops on the beach between sessions — a reminder that sometimes, inspiration comes when you step away from the slides.

What’s Next

Coming back from Cannes, I’m energized — not just by the ideas, but by the shared passion across industries to make work that matters. At HYPE, we’re more committed than ever to helping brands, creatives, and strategists test their thinking early and often, grounding bold ideas in human truths that stick.

If we didn’t get a chance to connect at Cannes, I’d love to continue the conversation. Let’s link up.

Julian John

Founder, HYPE

Uncovering Human Truths that move brands forward.

Why Human Truths Matter.