I Am Truly Disturbed By This MAGA Voter Who Said He Finds "Entertainment" In Wearing A Fake ICE Uniform Around Immigrants
Recently, while attending the annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, DC — which is basically Comic-Con for Republicans — comedian Jason Selvig of The Good Liars spotted something...odd.
He saw a man in what appeared to be a fake Immigration and Customs Enforcement (aka ICE) uniform.
In a video The Good Liars shared of the moment, Jason approaches the man while asking, "Do you actually work for ICE?"
"No, no," the guy responds. "Not at all."
When asked to explain his outfit, the unidentified man responds, "It's 29.99 on Amazon... If you want some entertainment, wear this and go to a Home Depot in a sanctuary city like where I live right now, in Washington, DC, and you'll see all the illegals — not all of them — but you can maybe see a lot of them start to run away."
"You feel like a group fitness instructor," he concludes.
When Jason asks if he "thinks that's funny," the guy says, "I think it's hilarious."
"There you have it everybody," Jason concludes the interview. "One of the worst people I've seen here at CPAC and that's saying something."
The video quickly went viral on X (formerly known as Twitter), amassing over 3.6 million views and thousands of comments. Some people praised the random man's actions, and one said those criticizing his impersonation of an ICE agent are "sensitive."
Others feel that finding "entertainment" in the idea of people fearfully running away from them is a form of "hate." One commenter wrote, "there's so much hate in their hearts it's sad."
"not him proving the cruelty is the point," another added.
Others expressed disbelief over someone apparently spending money to do this: "Imagine being such a low-life that you buy an ICE outfit to scare people. What has this world become?"
However, the majority questioned the legality behind seemingly impersonating an ICE agent in general.
This leads to the important note: ICE has formerly condemned all alleged impersonations in a statement.
You can watch The Good Liars' full video below.
Twitter: @TheGoodLiars
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CNET
33 minutes ago
- CNET
The 34 Absolute Best Shows to Watch on Prime Video
Reached the end of a binge and ready for something new? Prime Video may offer your next small-screen fixation. Amazon's streaming service is the place to visit for can't-miss originals like The Boys and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. With new shows premiering frequently, such as the postapocalyptic drama Fallout, you can choose a fresh release or start a series you've had on the back burner. Note that Prime Video is now ad-supported and charges an extra fee to remove commercials. Read on for this month's new releases and a collection of the best shows on the streamer. What's new on Prime Video in June Note: These descriptions are taken from Prime Video press releases and lightly edited for style. June 15 The Chosen: Last Supper, season 5 premiere (2017- ): Drama. The new season follows Jesus' triumph to treachery as his final days unfold in a story that changed the world. June 18 We Were Liars, season 1 premiere (2025- ): Thriller. The series follows Cadence Sinclair Eastman and her tight-knit inner circle, nicknamed the Liars, during their summer escapades on her grandfather's New England private island. June 25 Countdown, season 1 premiere (2025- ): Action. When an officer with the Department of Homeland Security is murdered in broad daylight, LAPD detective Mark Meachum is recruited to a secret task force to investigate. Best Amazon Prime Video original TV shows This list focuses on shows that have premiered a new season since 2020. Comedy Prime Video Overcompensating (2025- ) If the news of Max's Sex Lives of College Girls getting canceled left you aching for a new collegiate comedy to obsess over, don't skip Overcompensating. The series' first episode follows university freshmen Benny and Carmen, who feel the pressure to do the deed on night one, lest their social statuses plummet. However, former high school football star Benny is attracted to guys and closeted. Genuinely funny and authentic, this series from comedian Benito Skinner is one of Prime's best new shows. Prime Video The Outlaws (2021- ) Seven strangers are assigned to the same community payback sentence in this appealing comedy thriller set in Bristol, England. The six-episode show is fun, dark and touching, offering an engaging look at its rule-breakers backgrounds and the relationships that form between them. The plot thickens when some members of the group come across a bag of cash. If you need another draw, the show is co-created by Stephen Merchant, who co-created the UK version of The Office. Amazon Studios Undone (2019- ) This unique series uses the Rotoscoping animation technique to tell the story of a young woman who, after suffering a near-fatal car accident, discovers she can manipulate time. Intriguing, right? It gets better: Bob Odenkirk plays Alma's dead father, who enlists her help in investigating his murder. Bending both time and space, Undone is surreal and beautifully existential for those looking for deep material. Jackie Brown/Amazon Studios The Kids in the Hall (2022) Prime Video has resurrected The Kids in the Hall, the Emmy-nominated Canadian sketch comedy show that originally ran from 1988 to 1995. (By "resurrects," I mean the show literally exhumes members of the comedy troupe from a grave they were buried in at the end of the original show. That's just the beginning of the fun.) Follow the comedians as they freak out over mislabeled desserts, fight over imaginary love interests and write Earth's last fax. Be warned: Some of these sketches are highly NSFW. Amazon Studios A League of Their Own (2022) Prime Video's TV series A League of Their Own is inspired by the 1992 film of the same name and introduces new characters portrayed by Abbi Jacobson, D'Arcy Carden and others. In the comedy-drama's first episode, women try out for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in the '40s. The show explores themes of race and sexuality and offers a satisfying period setting and compelling characters. Amazon Studios The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017-2023) A '50s housewife who becomes a standup comic? This brilliant series from Gilmore Girls creator Amy Sherman-Palladino is filled with sparkling performances from Rachel Brosnahan and Alex Borstein, with dialogue to match. Set in a vibrant and changing New York, our delightful heroine moonlights as a comedian, while doing her duties as an upper-class Jewish American housewife. With impressive visuals, warmth and zingers, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is the full package. Romance David Lee/Prime Video Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2024- ) Prime Video's Mr. & Ms. Smith cast Donald Glover and Maya Erskine in a story about strangers turned married spies. The eight-episode series reimagines the 2005 action film starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, following the unconventional spy couple as they encounter risky missions and, inevitably, a change in their feelings for each other. Dana Hawley/Prime Video The Summer I Turned Pretty (2022- ) If a coming-of-age tale with a peak summer setting, a teenage love triangle and a soundtrack stocked with Taylor Swift songs sounds appealing to you, keep reading. The show centers on Belly (breakout actor Lola Tung), who makes a much-anticipated annual commute to a beach house with her mom and brother. She looks a bit different than she did the last time she set foot on Cousin's Beach and spent time with her mom's best friend's sons, Conrad and Jeremiah. Young-adult author Jenny Han wrote the book on which the TV series is based and serves as one of the showrunners. Prime Video With Love (2021-2023) Looking for love? With Love might be the perfect feel-good rom-com. The charming premise sees the Diaz siblings, Lily and Jorge, navigate major holidays across the year, from Halloween to Christmas -- major holidays that put pressure on singletons in search of romantic relationships. Follow the Diazes on their journey, along with their delightful and sometimes delightfully awkward extended family. An earnest, enjoyable breeze. Amazon Studios The Pursuit of Love (2021) You're either going to fall madly in love with or arch an unimpressed eyebrow at this romance based on the 1945 Nancy Mitford novel of the same name. The Pursuit of Love follows two cousins who represent different ways of life. Lily James is Linda Radlett, whose exuberant romantic adventures see her travel from London to Paris. Emily Beecham, meanwhile, is Fanny Logan, navigating the confinements of married life. If you're in the mood, this three-episode miniseries will sweep you up into a story of happiness and sadness, laughter and pain. Crime Shane Mahood/Amazon Studios Reacher (2022- ) Adapted from Lee Child's best-selling Jack Reacher book series, Reacher's eight-episode first season packs a muscular punch. Reacher, a brawny former US Army military policeman played by Alan Ritchson, arrives in a small town and is promptly arrested for a murder he didn't commit. Armed with killer strength and some solid detective skills, the protagonist eventually fends off an array of enemies while uncovering a criminal conspiracy. A treat for crime thriller fans and lovers of Child's novels. Amazon Studios Bosch (2014-2021) This seven-season police procedural, inspired by Michael Connelly novels, gets everything right for old-fashioned detective drama. We follow Los Angeles police detective Harry Bosch, played by Titus Welliver, who's haunted by the death of his mother. While catching serial killers and keeping his family safe, he investigates her murder. Functional and no-nonsense, Bosch provides steady mystery with an equally steady lead. Sci-fi Prime Video Fallout (2024- ) Prime Video's video game adaptation is an entertaining postapocalyptic adventure you shouldn't leave sitting in a vault. The series follows three characters occupying the same wasteland. One is Lucy (Ella Purnell), who wanders in search of her kidnapped father and feels the need to invoke the Golden Rule to a cruel post-human Ghoul (Walton Goggins). Meanwhile, an eager Maximus (Aaron Moten) gets his big break as a squire in the Brotherhood of Steel. It's an unpredictable series with humor and gore. Don't let long episode runtimes deter you from exploring Fallout. Prime Video The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy (2024- ) A wacky, stellar adult animated comedy about exceptional alien surgeons, the Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy follows best friends Dr. Sleech and Dr. Klak (voiced by Stephanie Hsu and Keke Palmer) as they perform daily duties like treating a patient using an anxiety-eating parasite (that's just episode 1). The series' out-of-this-world voice cast also features Maya Rudolph, Natasha Lyonne and all five Culkin brothers. Prime Video Paper Girls (2022) The first episode of Paper Girls, a sci-fi TV series based on popular comics by Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang, brings together four kids riding bikes on their paper delivery routes in 1988. While that may sound like a sci-fi-er you've binged already, (yep, Netflix's hit Stranger Things), Prime Video's show stands on its own. Follow along as the girls travel through time, navigate powerful adversaries and learn more about themselves. Another reason to watch? Comedian Ali Wong is also part of the cast. Amazon Studios The Expanse (2015-2022) Amazon rescued The Expanse from the realm of canceled TV, bringing us up to six seasons. Thank goodness it did, because The Expanse is smart sci-fi with realistic characters, high production values and a dash of detective noir. Set in a future where humanity has colonized the Solar System, a conspiracy threatens to start a cold war between the largest powers. A band of antiheroes find themselves at the center. Look forward to more space western themes in the consistently excellent later seasons. Drama Prime Video Expats (2024- ) A new miniseries starring Nicole Kidman may be enough to guide your finger to the Play button, but you may also want to know that Expats comes from Lulu Wang, the director of the critically acclaimed 2019 comedy-drama The Farewell. 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Gorgeous visuals and superb acting make The English worth a binge. Alan Peebles/Prime Video A Very British Scandal (2022) Unfurling over three hour-long episodes, A Very British Scandal dramatizes the highly publicized, real-life divorce between the Duke and Duchess of Argyll in the 1960s. Claire Foy, of Netflix's The Crown, and WandaVision's Paul Bettany star. Ali Goldstein/Amazon Studios As We See It (2022) A newer entry to Prime Video, As We See It earns a spot among its best shows. Starring three actors who identify as autistic, this sincere series follows young adults on the autism spectrum as they navigate jobs, make friends and find love. Neurotypical actors usually play autistic characters on screen, so the casting sets this one apart. It's also heartfelt, funny and poignant, with well-rounded characters you'll want to root for. I could let the show's glowing Metacritic score speak for itself -- but whatever convinces you, this needs to be your next watch. Prime Video The Underground Railroad (2021) Sublime filmmaker Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) takes on adapting Colson Whitehead's novel The Underground Railroad into a powerful 10-episode series. Set in the southern US during the 1800s, the fictional story follows Blacks attempting to escape from slavery via a network of hidden tracks and tunnels. Tapping magical realism and a superb cast including Thuso Mbedu and William Jackson Harper, The Underground Railroad is an emotional and chilling triumph. Superhero Brooke Palmer/Prime Video Gen V (2023- ) Gen V is a spin-off of Prime Video's hit violent and satirical series The Boys. Despite efforts to keep her head down, freshman Marie Moreau gets swept up in a mystery at Godolkin University, a prestigious but shadowy school for superheroes. The new series' strong characters and fresh story establish it as something pretty super in its own right. Another reason to watch? Season 4 of The Boys picks up after the events of the first Gen V season. Amazon Studios Invincible (2021- ) For those who aren't a fan of cartoons, Invincible could be your converter, up there with other adult cartoons like BoJack Horseman and Rick and Morty. Based on a comic book from Robert Kirkman, the creator of the Walking Dead, Invincible follows 17-year-old Mark Grayson and his training to become a superhero just like his father, who happens to be the most powerful superhero on the planet. Episodes run long at nearly 50 minutes, connected into one big, blood-spattered story. A subversive series with a huge cast featuring Steven Yeun, Sandra Oh and J.K. Simmons, Invincible will engross you in its smart animated world. Amazon Studios The Boys (2019- ) The Boys stormed Amazon with its ultra-violent tale of antihero vigilantes seeking revenge against the world's most beloved superheroes. These heroes aren't what they seem: Their corporate overlords cover up their shady personal lives, including sexual harassment and the odd assassination. With social commentary, black comedy and pops of gore, The Boys takes a thrilling and unapologetic step away from the family-friendly genre. Fantasy Jonathan Prime/Prime Video My Lady Jane (2024) Lady Jane Grey, the Queen of England for just nine days in 1553, is the subject of this Prime Video series. The show doesn't stick closely to the events of her life, weaving in fantasy elements like humans who can turn into animals and imagining a world where she met a fate other than execution. Based on a book of the same name and blending comedy, action, romance and more, My Lady Jane is a wild, enjoyable ride you won't find in a history book. Prime Video I'm a Virgo (2023- ) Boots Riley (Sorry to Bother You) created this surreal series about Cootie (Jharrel Jerome), a 13-foot-tall Black man who leaves home for the first time at 19. The gentle giant from Oakland, California, experiences friendship, love and more milestones in this coming-of-age story, which brings humor, social commentary and undeniable originality to the small screen. Ben Rothstein/Prime Video The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022- ) Haven't watched Prime Video's buzzy, wildly expensive fantasy series yet? The Rings of Power brings incredible visuals, a sprawling cast and a sense of adventure to the streaming service. It's set thousands of years before The Lord of the Rings, and in part follows a young version of the character Galadriel, who's played by Morfydd Clark. Amazon Studios The Legend of Vox Machina (2022- ) Buckle up for a new animated series that centers on a group of boisterous, belching misfits called Vox Machina. Based on Dungeons & Dragons web series Critical Role (you don't have to be familiar with that to enjoy this show), The Legend of Vox Machina sees its protagonists go from being broke bar-hoppers to accepting a mission to stop evil brewing in Exandria. We're further introduced to the characters in a musical number that occurs about halfway through the first episode. That's right, I said musical number. You'll be down for every element this show throws at you. Why would anyone choose these misfits to fight for the kingdom? "Well ... they do have a bear," one royal decision-maker concedes. Thriller Prime Video The Devil's Hour (2022- ) The Devil's Hour sets up an intriguing mystery: Why is a woman, Lucy, waking up at 3:33 a.m. each night, and why does her 8-year-old son, Isaac, seem oddly emotionless? Starring Jessica Raine (Call the Midwife) as Lucy, Nikesh Patel (Starstruck) as a kind detective and Peter Capaldi (Doctor Who) as a suspicious character, the Devil's Hour is a twisty series that eventually delivers satisfying answers. A bonus? A third and final season is on the way. Niko Tavernise/Prime Video Dead Ringers (2023) Oscar winner Rachel Weisz plays not one, but two main characters in Dead Ringers, Prime Video's version of David Cronenberg's 1988 psychological thriller. The darkly comedic series follows identical twin doctors pursuing their goal of opening a birthing and research center. Spend some time with these unconventional sisters, you'll want to see the whole thing through. York Tillyer/Amazon Studios Chloe (2022) Led by a stellar Erin Doherty, this British thriller will swallow your attention. It centers on Becky, a temp with an unusual pastime: assuming different identities to sneak into fancy art galleries and yoga classes. When a woman she follows obsessively on Instagram suddenly dies, she attempts to uncover more details, once again posing as someone else. Tear away from your timeline and check out this six-episode limited series. Amazon Studios Homecoming (2018-2020) Season 2 of Homecoming didn't quite find its feet, but season 1 hit the ground running. Julia Roberts stars in this psychological thriller about an army rehabilitation facility run by questionable owners. Using an effective, mystery-building narrative that covers two timelines, Homecoming is high on tension and paranoia as it reveals what the facility's true purpose is. Fun fact: The series uses the actual scores of movies from Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick and more. Documentary Prime Video LuLaRich (2021) In LulaRich, the directors of Hulu's Fyre Festival documentary explore the dark side of the multilevel marketing company LuLaRoe. The four-part documentary series interviews founders DeAnne and Mark Stidham and paints a not-so-rosy picture of the women's clothing giant, which is known for its loudly colored and patterned leggings and tops. In the doc, women who joined the company (investing a chunk of money in the process) dealt with stinky merchandise, a toxic culture and challenges in reaching financial goals. Settle in for a fascinating and well-made docuseries that spotlights the stories of former LuLaRoe retailers.


Buzz Feed
an hour ago
- Buzz Feed
27 Pieces To Add To Your Summer Wardrobe
A perfect-length floral print romper if flowers and romping about are two of your favorite things about this time of year. Soft, stretchy, and lightweight, you'll be so happy to have this piece on deck for all your goings-on. A high-waisted palazzo trouser that reviewers love for giving the illusion of a maxi skirt with the non-chafing comfort of pants. (And cooling abilities, too, bless!) An ol' faithful, summer-ready maxi dress because no matter the trend, you can literally never go wrong with this ultra comfy standby. (Your slip-on sneakers called — they want in on this outfit, too.) A sleeveless T-shirt dress so you don't have to think about itchy, scratchy sleeves messing with your floaty, care-free vibes while still looking ~fabulous~. An off-the-shoulder top: Sandy Olsson called and said Summer Lovin' is in. If you've been hunting for the perfect sunshine-y going-out top, it's time to add this to your cart. Promising review: "I purchased the shirt in black first and was immediately obsessed- I had to get it in another color ASAP! The material is butter soft (think like lulu leggings) and thick. It's double layered so it's not see through at all. I could literally live in it. The sleeves/cut make it look a bit more dressed up while still being casual." —CourtneeGet it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in sizes XS–XL and 19 colors). A yee-haw open-front tied crop for when you want a little bit country, a little bit trend-setting, and a whole lot of ❄️ cool. ❄️ AND you can keep it out when the weather cools off in the fall and use it as a layering piece, too! A two-fer bargain, y'all. A coveted V-neck button tunic all your fave romantasy heroines are wearing to save the world and save it ~sweat-free~. Nobody has time to worry about uncomfy sleeve lengths and weird collars while they're out and about in Fairy Court. A two-piece muslin set as comfy as it is put-together so you can look effortlessly chic and not pull a Wicked Witch of the West the moment you step outside of your air conditioned front door. A wrap dress for an A+ kind of fit. Lots of reviewers dress it up and down, so no matter the many shenanigans you have planned for yourself, this dress will be ready to rock right along with you! A matching chiffon crop top and skirt cover-up set if you want in on some of those summer goddess vibes. Áine, is that you?! A two-pack of beloved crewneck tees you'll turn to so often, you'll wonder how you didn't buy these years ago. Perfectly paired with pants, shorts, or skirts. This style is a classic for a reason: It goes with EVERYTHING! A pair of breathable sneakers because your feet deserve to be just as comfy (if not COMFIER) than the rest of you. These sneaks were made for walkin', and that's just what they'll getting sweat all over you! Or a pair of ultra-stylish Serene sandals to elevate your summer fits without sacrificing comfort. These have three adjustable straps (bye-bye blisters!) and are designed to survive heavy rain and dunks in water. Portland Gear is all about making water-resistant bags and accessories, so if you're like me and somehow ALWAYS get your shoes wet (and sometimes even your bags), their products are designed to air dry naturally so you can keep on with your day no matter how drenched you get!Y'all, I keep reaching for these over my beloved Birks. They're THAT comfortable. Get them from Portland Gear for $129 (available in women's sizes 6.5–15.5, men's sizes 5–14, and three colors). A cooling hoodie towel with UPF protection, because sometimes you just gotta get heat relief fast. We're talking up to 30 degrees below average body temperature in under one minute fast. Just wet, wring, and snap for the kind of instant cool down you've been dreaming about. And a set of sweatbands if sweat dripping into your eyes is not ideal for your workouts, yard work, and any other kind of effort that you'd rather conquer not wiping your brow every two seconds. A stretchy and breathable long-sleeve tee designed with UPF 50+ to keep the rays off your skin and therefore keep you cooler than if you were wearing ~nothing at all~. (Can't recommend. Very little sun protection in that route, tbh.) A pack of racerback tanks perfect for outdoor concerts, pool-side lounging, and basically everything you've got on your summer calendar. Plus, there are three of them to a pack, so you're basically over halfway to your new summer capsule wardrobe with one click! A Columbia "freezer" dress with cooling technology so you can still look as pretty as a princess all while feeling as icy as a misunderstood queen on a frozen mountain. (Perfect for any travels into the unknown, you get me?) A Hanes wireless bra with cooling mesh if boob sweat is your mortal enemy and you want to kiss it goodbye for good without the discomfort of a wire dragging you down. And a bra liner to enhance your current go-to bras with some extra sweat-busting powers by wearing this moisture-wicking insert. A pack of underarm shields so pit stains can be a thing of the past and you can feel secure that you'll be dry and neat, no matter how your new aluminum-free deodorant journey is going. A set of lightweight PJs because Mr. Sandman might not be in league with Mr. Freeze, but that's no reason for YOU to suffer through unnecessary night sweats at night. Save yourself (and your ZZZs!) by setting yourself up for comfy, cool, and cute sleeping success. A Fast and Free ponytail running hat you might as well leave by your door because you're going to grab this time and time again. Reviewers LOVE this cap because it keeps your hair out of your face, the sun from your eyes, and you get to keep your messy bun or high pony intact. My ponytail-loving self *might* have just added this to the cart, too. Promising review: "Great running cap. Breathable and wicks away sweat. Visor provides good protection from the sun. It is comfortable and fit well with an adjustable strap." —Bee MTGet it from Lululemon for $38 (available in six colors). And a moisture-wicking hat liner that's PGA tour licensed, so you know it's going to help keep the sweat out of your eyes when you're wearing your fave ball cap to putt-putt golf this summer. A pair of high-waisted, quick-dry running shorts because whether you're running on the treadmill or running errands, the last thing you need is a waistband digging into your side or underwear fabric bunching up between your legs. These lovelies have a stretch underwear liner and a no-slip waistband to avoid all those pesky pitfalls! A pair of lace shorts if you want some beneath-the-skirt anti-chafing superpowers on your side, but want them to be more demure and cutesy than your average bike short. (Siri, play "Delicate" by Taylor Swift.) And finally, some cloud slides that promise to be your pedicure's best friend — comfy, easy-breezy slides that let your on-trend butter yellow toenails do all the talking. You, cool as a cucumber this summer: Reviews for this post have beed edited for length and clarity.

Business Insider
an hour ago
- Business Insider
Farewell to the 'Mad Men' era: Advertising's biggest bash of the year will showcase the industry's seismic changes
The ad industry is making its annual jaunt to France this week for the Cannes Lions ad festival. Big topics of discussion include agency consolidation and the departure of high-profile execs. This article is part of " CMO Insider," a series on marketing leadership and innovation. Advertising executives descending on the French Riviera this week for the annual Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity will raise their glasses of rosé to toast the twilight of Madison Avenue's glory days. Tom Denford, CEO of the agency search consultancy ID Comms, told me this year's Cannes Lions would be "like a requiem" for the traditional agency business. But that doesn't mean there won't be action. What began as an awards event in the 1950s to celebrate the best ads of the year — affectionately known as "The Work" — has morphed into a sprawling showcase of tech, entertainment, influencers, and every intermediary you can imagine. In recent years, Cannes has featured huge beach takeovers and custom-made event structures from the likes of Amazon, Google, and Meta. The agencies and marketers in attendance are grappling with multiple tectonic shifts all happening at once — from the rise of artificial intelligence to the decline of linear TV, and seemingly never-ending economic uncertainty that makes marketers nervous about long-term budget planning. WPP Media recently cut its 2025 global ad spending growth forecast to 6% from 7.7%, citing "disruptions to global trade and continued deglobalization." While Agencyland's creative class may be nostalgic for the era of showstopping Don Draper-esque pitches, and when cinematic ads won the biggest awards, the industry has shifted its offerings to service clients' changing needs. Retail media isn't the sexy pursuit many executive creative directors dreamed about breaking into the industry for, but it's having a moment. According to the World Advertising Research Center, spending on commerce websites, apps, and in-store displays is projected to overtake linear TV ad spending by 2026. Cannes Lions has introduced a dedicated subcategory for retail media in both its Media and Creative Commerce Lions awards this year. Albertsons is among the companies making its festival debut this week. The supermarket chain is bringing a grocery store activation to the beach and a team of seven people from its Media Collection retail media division. Jen Saenz, Albertsons' EVP and chief commercial officer, said the aim is to showcase what's unique about the grocer's offering for advertisers: "Not just transactions, but brand stories." The traditional agency business is at a crossroads There have been multiple changes of the guard at the largest ad agency holding companies. Omnicom and IPG are awaiting the closing of their gigantic merger that would create the world's largest advertising agency company by revenue, usurping Publicis, which had only recently toppled WPP's crown. Two of the industry's most high-profile execs — Mark Read, CEO of WPP, and famed ad man David Droga, from Accenture Song — have announced their coming departures. Layoffs have been a sad constant for the rank and file as agencies consolidate. When I asked one ad agency veteran how they envisaged the scene at Cannes this year, they responded: "Type into ChatGPT: Agency exec sitting on corner of the Croisette with cardboard sign around neck saying: Will do creative or plan media for food.'" New independent agencies and big consulting firms are gaining on the traditional holding companies. Industry analyst Brian Wieser recently estimated that the "big six" agency holding companies now have a 30% share of the total US ad agency industry, down from a peak of around 40% in 2015. It's a trend that will be on full display at Cannes Lions next week. Stagwell, the agency group led by former Microsoft strategist and advisor to the Clintons, Mark Penn, is back again with its huge "Sports Beach" activation. It will feature sessions from famed athletes like former world tennis No. 1 Billie Jean King and former NBA legend Carmelo Anthony, as well as activities like a swim club and pickleball tournaments. Accenture Song has a catamaran docked in the harbor to host meetings and has execs speaking onstage at the Palais, where the main conference takes place. The agency world is adapting to its new data-driven, AI reality Brian Morrissey, the former editor in chief of marketing and media trade publication Digiday, who now writes the media newsletter The Rebooting, has invented a new parlor game for Cannes. He's going to ask everyone he meets to name their favorite ad campaign of the past 12 months. His guess is that most attendees will struggle to instantly conjure one up, despite the fact that advertising is their profession. Morrissey said it's a reflection of the fading relevance in culture of mass media and the 30-second ad spot, as consumer media habits evolve and marketing budgets shift to precision-targeting and performance-marketing. "All the action has moved to the data side of advertising," Morrissey said. (Disclosure: I previously worked for Morrissey at Digiday.) Cannes will remain a decadent affair in 2025, much to the chagrin of the many colleagues back at home who didn't get a golden ticket. (The most expensive pass stretches to more than $12,000 this year — and that's before factoring in travel and accommodation.) Set on the iconic Croisette promenade with its opulent hotels and stunning sea views, some lucky VIPs will be treated to yacht excursions and performances from musical acts including Cardi B, Ludacris, Lola Young, and Diplo. The real A-Listers at Cannes Lions, though, are the chief marketing officers with budgets to spend. Cannes Lions CEO Simon Cook said that more than 350 brands attended last year, and that's expected to rise this year. David Jones, CEO of the Brandtech Group, has some handy advice for marketers who will undoubtedly receive numerous AI sales pitches this coming week. "When someone shows you something great, ask for a login; ask if you can make content and produce it and publish it now to TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube," Jones said. "If you can, they have a platform, and if you can't, they have a demo."