Oh là là! The French Riviera played host to an extraordinary gathering during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in mid-June, and Influential Beach Presented by Brand Innovators was the place to be. This dynamic collaboration between Influential and Brand Innovators, two powerhouses in the marketing realm, orchestrated a spectacular five-day program that attracted an elite crowd of industry leaders and celebrities for the second consecutive year.
“Our CMO, executive, and agency head lineup at Influential Beach was truly exceptional,” shared Ryan Detert, CEO of Influential, with Us Weekly. “The speakers, influencers, and celebrity content that we curated alongside Brand Innovators truly rivaled the official Cannes Lions Palais stage.”
The event, held at La Mandala Plage in Cannes, featured insightful panels and intimate fireside chats with an impressive array of notable figures. The list included music icon will.i.am, NFL executive Tim Ellis, Hilton’s Mark Weinstein, Mastercard’s Raja Rajamannar, Zappos’ Joe Cano, football legend Shannon Sharpe, F1 champion Lando Norris, and WWE superstars Montez Ford and Bianca Belair.
The week commenced with a bang at the Brand Innovators Gala Celebration, hosted at the exquisite Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Rising country music artist Shaboozey captivated the audience with a performance of their chart-topping hits. Ludacris, too, took to the stage, headlining a ONE Night concert co-hosted by Urban One, with attendees including JB Smoove and Anthony Anderson.
Anthony Anderson joins Chris and Ryan Detert of Influential at the Kings of BBQ Party. Influential/Brand Innovators
“My journey with Urban One began as a DJ in Atlanta,” Ludacris reminisced with Us. “They provided me with a platform to be authentically myself, and from there, I was able to evolve and grow as an artist.”
The Ludacris concert was a highlight, featuring an unexpected duet with Carmelo Anthony on “Move [Adult Word].” In addition, the TikTok Influential Awards, hosted by social media sensation Josh Richards, debuted at Influential Beach Presented by Brand Innovators. This ceremony celebrated the achievements of CMOs and their brands on TikTok, with categories aptly named after social media trends like “Sheesh,” “Fire,” and “No Cap.”
Josh Richards hosts the TikTok Influential Awards. Influential/Brand Innovators
“Influential Beach Presented by Brand Innovators was the epicenter of excitement at Cannes Lions this year!” exclaimed Influential CCO Chris Detert. “From Ludacris’ performance with Urban One to the TikTok Influential Awards and the Kings of BBQ party with Anthony Anderson, there was never a dull moment at Influential Beach.”
The new year brings a plethora of red carpet moments. Hollywood’s leading ladies have been dazzling us with their style choices at award shows, parties, film premieres, and more. We’re witnessing a range of looks, from little black dresses to glittering gowns and cutout frocks, all complemented by stunning glam, hair, and footwear. […]
The fun continued with a barbecue-themed party hosted by Anderson, which culminated in a breathtaking drone show by Kargo. Brand Innovators also sponsored the “Women in Marketing Leadership Panel,” featuring C-suite executives from prominent companies such as NBCUniversal, SiriusXM, PepsiCo, and Snapchat.
“Cannes Lions 2024 exceeded all expectations,” said Marc Sternberg, co-founder and co-CEO of Brand Innovator. “Our deepest gratitude goes out to our speakers, sponsors, and the entire Brand Innovators community for their unwavering support. We can’t wait for 2025!”
