Day 4 of Cannes Lions Festival
Talk 1: Vex King at LinkedIn
Rating: 9.5/10
Reflection:
I decided to go to the LinkedIn Rooftop on the festival's last day. I had no idea what to expect, and I stumbled on a talk with philanthropist and author Vex King. I was walking up to the roof and overheard the first few minutes of his speech. I genuinely had no idea who he was, and the more I heard him talk, the more I wanted to keep listening. He mentioned his own challenging childhood and how, when you grow up, you keep thinking that life will get better. Simply, how promises will improve our future. It really made me think about how, throughout high school, I waited for college, and now I am waiting for my professional career to begin. Vex quoted that happiness only lasts for a moment. Instead of chasing a moment of happiness, he encouraged his audience to find meaning in life now. I realized how easy it is to become so focused on what’s next that we forget to celebrate what is happening right now. I really thought his talk helped me reflect on myself and how I'm thinking about moving forward. I would recommend this talk for someone who is reflective and is looking into self-love.
Talk 2: Stephanie Horton Female Quotient
Rating: 10/10
Reflection:
Stephanie Horton, Google's senior marketing director, held the discussion, asking the panelists questions about how their companies have partnered with Google AI and incorporated it into their campaigns. I really enjoyed learning about the wide variety of campaigns they showcased, ranging from car advertising and music videos to retail marketing. It was interesting to see how these creators embraced Google AI as a tool to enhance creativity rather than replace it. One of my favorite quotes came from Brian Carley, who said, "AI did not replace our human creativity…it leveled it up." I think that perfectly captured the panel's message and showed how AI can be used as a powerful tool instead of something to fear, especially in a college setting. I also loved hearing about how Flavio Vidigal worked on ALOK's innovative music video project, where he used AI to customize the experience for each fan. Everyone had a different music video based on their preferences. I thought that was such a creative idea because everyone connects with music differently, and I had never seen AI used in that way before. I would definitely recommend this talk, especially for students. I think many students, particularly in high school or college, tend to view AI negatively because of academic concerns, but this panel offered a different perspective by showing how AI can expand creativity, save time, and open new possibilities when used thoughtfully alongside human ideas.
Talk 3: Everyone is a Seller: Circular Commerce is Redefining Creative Industries
Rating: 9.5/10
Reflection:
When I clicked on the Stella McCartney talk, I had no idea what it would be about. I knew she had a brand and sold handbags. As I watched this talk, I learned that her company had been one of the first sustainable luxury companies. I also realized how engaging and somewhat relatable the talk was. Stella was into thrifting and fashion when she was younger, something I can relate to. I thought eBay's CEO, Jamie Lannone, was honestly more engaging and interesting to listen to than Stella. He talked a lot about the selling side and mentioned the rise of selling and buying vintage clothing, specifically that people find it more exciting to find a vintage piece than a brand-new item. I love my vintage clothing, and I love finding a good piece and making it feel new. Right now I am on my vintage clothing kick and have barely purchased new clothing this summer, instead going to thrift stores and to old family members’ closets. Jamie also mentioned that the average household has around a couple of thousand dollars' worth of “stuff” that does not get used. I can unfortunately relate to this heavily because I have so many clothes I do not use and instead sell online. This summer, I have been selling all of my unworn clothing on Depop and Poshmark, and actually making a difference and saving space. One quote that stood out to me was Stella McCartney's: “The importance of luxury is when you pass things down.” I really connected with that because my mother has been passing some things down to me, and I really value every little thing I get from her. It does not matter the name, quality, or the price; it matters the value it holds. Together these two offered a perspective on sustainability in fashion, and made it glamorous. They pushed me to think about how sometimes it’s not about creating a new wheel, but finding purpose in the old ones. I would recommend this talk to anyone interested in selling clothes, fashion, or vintage items. The discussion covers artificial intelligence, the power of selling products online, staying sustainable, and upholding values.
Talk 4: The Cannes LionHeart Seminar | Oprah Winfrey Talk
Rating: 10/10
Reflection:
When I decided to click on the Oprah talk, I pressed the name and was like, “Of course.” Then I thought to myself, “What do I even know about Oprah?” I did not know anything about her. As I watched the interview online, I really did learn so much about Oprah. She found her inspiration from when the nuns came by her house one Christmas and saw an opportunity for hope. I also noticed Oprah is a celebrity who genuinely cares about people, not just about famous people. For the people who came on and talked on her show, she wanted them to tell a story, raise awareness, and learn from what others had done. After listening to the talk, I realized there are not as many Oprahs in this world anymore, and we need to make a change. The talk itself emphasized what the audience can do to engage with the speaker. She also spoke about the purpose of speakers, in her case, to give hope and validation. Hearing about the work she has done on so many levels makes me realize that influence is most powerful when it is used to elevate others rather than oneself. This was a common theme among many of the speakers, but it really got cemented in this talk. I would recommend this talk to all women. It was so empowering and motivating to do something great in this world.
Talk 5: Alex Cooper’s Vision of the Creator Economy | WSJ
Rating: 8.5/10
Reflection:
I really wanted to see this conversation in person, but I was not accepted to the Wall Street Journal event. I was actually very impressed with Alex Cooper’s discussion because I did not expect her to be as engaging and professional as she was on the screen. Cooper discussed Gen Z and her agency in "Unwell." She focused on building an agency to help a select group of creators for a few years, benefiting them in the long run. As an Alix Earle fan, I really did not want to enjoy Cooper’s conversation, but I ended up coming away with a different opinion. There is a reason so many people enjoy her podcasts, ideas, and products. She knows the readers and the generation we are in. With that knowledge, she knows exactly how to approach her company in the correct way and gain a connection with it. One of the most interesting aspects I found about Alex Cooper is that she offers a space for others to share their stories. She has set up her podcast in a way that feels empowering; she uses her platform to give others a voice. She also mentioned how there are double standards in her work. I would definitely recommend this conversation to young women who want to start a career, a business, or a brand. Knowing your audience and your true values helps brands like hers gain value and trust within their surroundings.
What Happened:
On this day I did a lot of the on-line talks. That is because Thursday was by far the hardest day of the trip for me. I woke up dealing with severe stomach issues, dehydration, and complete exhaustion, but I slowly made my way to the festival anyway because I did not want to miss out. I started my morning at the LinkedIn Lounge before heading to Female Quotient. Unfortunately, Thursday was also one of the worst days for the weather this week. Most of the crowds had already left Cannes, the city felt empty and dusty, and the temperature was close to 40°C.
By the time I reached Female Quotient, I had only managed to attend two talks that day. I wanted nothing more than to keep going, but physically, I had reached my limit. It was incredibly frustrating knowing there were so many sessions I wanted to attend while my body simply would not cooperate.
Reflection:
I truly wish I had stayed and attended the talks I missed on Thursday. Looking back, I think the only reason I didn't push through was that I genuinely believe I would have ended up in the hospital from my stomach illness and severe dehydration if I had kept going. I am normally the type of person who pushes through pain and discomfort, no matter what. Two years ago, I had appendicitis and ignored the pain for an entire week because I didn't want to miss a swim meet and was determined to qualify. Walking away from the festival was not a decision that came easily to me.
My biggest regret is not staying at Female Quotient and finishing the rest of the talks that day. Even if I had been sitting there alone, I wish I had done it. Missing those sessions has weighed on me ever since. I feel disappointed in myself, guilty for letting my professors down, and frustrated that I wasn't able to take advantage of an opportunity I had been looking forward to for so long.
I wanted to be completely honest about what happened because receiving a good grade while knowing I had not fully participated would have made me feel even worse. I understand that my absence will affect my grade, and I take full responsibility for that. I simply wanted to explain how deeply I regret the situation and how much I wish things had turned out differently; however, I was not only vulnerable but also physically challenged.