The Momentum Builds
Returning to the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in 2025, the Conscious Advertising Network (CAN) did more than attend — we showed up, spoke up, and stood firm in our mission to build an advertising industry that works for everyone.
From global stages to beachside breakfasts, our team connected with changemakers across the world, helping to shape the conversations that matter most. And this year, for the first time, CAN was featured on the official Cannes Lions programme — a milestone moment for our movement, and a signal that conscious advertising is no longer niche — it’s necessary.
Purpose, Partnerships & Progress
As with last year, our goals were clear: strengthen partnerships, expand our member base, and amplify our message across the festival. But this year, we went further — from influencing international frameworks to launching new tools for inclusive advertising.
Our 2025 Cannes cohort — including CAN co-founders Jake Dubbins and Harriet Kingaby, alongside Marsha Jackson and Nafissa Norris — engaged in over a dozen panels and high-profile discussions. We covered climate misinformation, inclusive leadership, creator culture, AdTech ethics, and accessibility as a creative advantage. Every moment reaffirmed our belief: advertising can be a force for good — but only if we consciously choose to make it so.
Here’s how it all unfolded…
Day One: Conscious Conversations Begin
We hit La Croisette with energy — and a clear intention to challenge and collaborate.
Our first stop: RTL Beach for “The Business of News” with Stagwell and World Media Group, exploring how media companies are redefining journalism to build trust, sustainability, and commercial value. Tackling trust in journalism isn’t just timely — it’s critical.
Later, at the AdTech Lunch hosted by Limelight and The Digital Voice™, we connected with partners to share insights on responsible innovation and how to drive ethical progress across platforms.
There were numerous encounters and lunch meetings with allies and trusted partners, sparking conversations that will carry forward. From happy hour at Empower Café, Ogury’s Exclusive Welcome Soiree, to the first late-night Gutter Bar drop-in — we were officially Cannes-ready.
Day Two: Accessibility, Accountability, and ACT-ion
Day two opened with croissants and critical insights at the Ad Accessibility Network’s breakfast — proving once again that accessibility drives not just equity, but creativity.
Jake Dubbins joined ACT Responsible’s MyACT Show live from the Palais Sustainability Hub, where the conversation zeroed in on one of the most pressing challenges of our time: protecting democracy through creativity. From defending press freedom to promoting civic engagement and digital safety, speakers explored how bold, responsible campaigns can safeguard civic freedoms and rebuild public trust.
Alongside Alexis Ospina (Grey Mexico), Stéphanie Bertrand-Tassilly (Havas), and Charley Stoney (EACA), Jake reflected on how democratic values and information integrity must guide the future of advertising. Catch the replay here.
The Supernova Pride Summit lit up the afternoon with an unapologetic celebration of LGBTQIA+ creativity and leadership — setting the tone for the inclusive conversations to follow later in the week. The event sparked dialogue with inspiring LGBTQIA+ leaders and allies who are using creativity, leadership, and technology to drive a new era of innovation and meaningful inclusion.
That evening, Nafissa was invited to the Financial Times’ first-ever DEI event at Cannes, hosted in partnership with People Like Us – a standout moment that spotlighted creative leadership, industry change, and the future of inclusive storytelling. This gathering brought together leaders, talent and changemakers to explore how representation fuels creativity and long-term brand value.
Day Three: Integrity and Impact
The morning began with Nafissa and Marsha at the Empowerment Café with BIMA’s unflinching panel, “SHIMA: The Big Accusation”, unpacking the devastating role digital ads can play in spreading online toxicity — especially to younger audiences. Creating safer digital spaces starts with honest conversations like this.
At Ogury, Harriet Kingaby and Jake Dubbins joined Samir Chabab to unpack CAN’s “Guiding Principles” — and why ethics and effectiveness must go hand in hand. The message was clear: advertising must be conscious by design. You can access our resource here.
Lunch gatherings and private meetups throughout the day reinforced a shared commitment to information integrity and measurable impact across the ad industry.
That afternoon, Jake stepped into the Palais’ Sustainability Hub during the “Open House for Good” to deliver a powerful 3-minute pitch — proving again that purpose-led creativity belongs at the heart of business. You can watch it here from 23:19 – 25:55.
The night closed on a high at Campaign’s exclusive VIP party, where the team connected with industry friends old and new — recharging for the final stretch of a landmark week.
Day Four: Culture, Creativity and Collaboration
Day four was all about culture, accountability and bold inclusivity.
It began with Marsha attending a thought-provoking breakfast hosted by Jellyfish x Good Girls, exploring GenAI, culture, and the creative responsibilities shaping tomorrow. As AI reshapes storytelling, inclusive intent must guide the brief.
At the Brands&Culture Villa, Harriet Kingaby joined Aisling Conlon, Vanessa Sawyerr, and Sophie Butler to discuss the role of creators in shifting cultural narratives — and how the UK can lead with inclusive influence.
Later, Nafissa Norris joined Outvertising and Propeller Group to launch The Advocacy Playbook — a practical, high-impact resource guiding advertisers on LGBTQIA+ inclusion. With over $3.7 trillion in LGBTQIA+ global spending power, this isn’t just ethical advertising — it’s effective advertising that works for everyone and makes good business sense. You can access the playbook here.
Day Five: A Milestone Moment on the Forum Stage
Friday was the milestone we’ve been waiting for — CAN was officially included in the Cannes Lions programme for the first time.
On the Forum Stage, Jake Dubbins joined representatives from the United Nations (Charlotte Scaddan), UNESCO (Tarja Turtia), and the Government of Brazil (João Brant) to present “Climate Information Integrity before COP30”. Together, they launched the Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change, urging advertisers, platforms, and agencies to align with the UN’s new global principles.
Information integrity is good for business and good for our planet and all its people. By demanding transparency, accountability, and disclosure in the ad tech supply chain, brands can take back control of their ad budgets, support quality journalism and reliable information — and increase advertising effectiveness in the process.
This wasn’t just a panel — it was a turning point. A clear message that conscious advertising is no longer fringe but foundational to the future of the industry. When we change the brief, we change the world… João revealed some big news to end the week: information integrity is officially part of the COP30 Action Agenda for the first time. A historic first — and a powerful step toward Belém, Brazil.
Looking Ahead
Cannes Lions 2025 wasn’t just a showcase — it was a signal. The industry is shifting. Ethical innovation is rising. Conscious creativity is no longer optional.
We’re returning home recharged, reconnected, and more committed than ever. The conversations we had in Cannes will carry through the year — into COP30, into your campaigns, and into the next chapter of advertising that works for everyone.
Want to be part of the movement?
Free CAN membership is open now — email us at hello@consciousadnetwork.org to join our free membership.
Here’s to next year — and everything in between.
Until then, from la Croisette… à bientôt.
