Latest news with #CannesLions
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
ONAR Announces Participation in Cannes Lions 2025 Festival
Leading marketing technology company also sponsoring UNLISTED, a Day Zero party at Cannes hosted by experiential marketing firm, Super Great Fantastic Miami, FL, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Onar Holding Corporation (OTCQB: ONAR), a leading marketing technology company and network of marketing agencies, today announced its participation in the upcoming Cannes Lions 2025 Festival. Claude Zdanow, CEO, and Jon Bond, Board Member, will be present at the esteemed event to engage in discussions with industry professionals and foster new connections. The Company is also sponsoring UNLISTED, a Day Zero party for marketers, brand teams, and creatives, hosted by Super Great Fantastic, an experiential marketing agency. 'Cannes Lions is the most prestigious event within the creative industry and we look forward to attending and establishing new relationships with top talent,' stated Zdanow. 'ONAR continues to rapidly grow and our vision is to provide the highest quality of service to the middle-market. We eagerly anticipate sharing our vision with the attendees of this event.' ONAR is dedicated to delivering exceptional marketing services that catalyze revenue expansion through an integrated, AI-powered approach. The Company has nearly 50 team members across five continents, and it is aggressively expanding its network to support the company's growth and acquisition pipeline. To RSVP for UNLISTED or schedule time with the SGF team, visit: Media wishing to attend should email Josh Kail (JkailPR@ About ONAR ONAR (OTCQB: ONAR) is a leading marketing technology company and marketing agency network. The Company's mission is to power unparalleled marketing services that drive revenue growth through an integrated, AI-driven approach. Committed to honor, candor, and best-in-class results, ONAR's agency network offers a range of services including performance marketing & SEO, healthcare marketing, and experiential marketing & events. ONAR's agencies focus on servicing middle-market and growth stage companies, and the Company is actively searching for agencies to acquire and become part of the network. Additionally, the Company's technology incubator, ONAR Labs, is focused on identifying, developing, and commercializing innovative marketing technology solutions. For more information, visit Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are based on ONAR's current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that it believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. These statements are not historical facts and are inherently uncertain and outside of ONAR's control. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding ONAR's expectations regarding its ability to achieve its financial and strategic goals, including surpassing $100 million in revenue and securing a NASDAQ listing; its ability to expand its client base and market share; and its ability to develop and launch new products and services. Actual results may differ materially from ONAR's expectations and projections due to various risks and uncertainties, including market conditions, competition, the ability to protect intellectual property, the ability to manage growth, changes in laws and regulations, and other factors described in ONAR's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and ONAR undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. Media Contact:Sara ScullyMarketing ManagerONAR213-437-3081IR@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
Cannes Lions 2025: The Business Of Influence Takes The Stage
Travis Kelce, NFL Superstar and Cultural Icon featured at Stagwell's Sport Beach at 2024 Cannes ... More Lions Festival of Creativity Cannes Lions will have more creators than ever, a clear signal that the C-suite is finally buying into creator marketing as a serious growth strategy. What's accelerating the change? Consumer behavior. As digital spaces get more crowded and less trustworthy, it's harder for brands to reach people effectively. Creator partnerships are the exception. They continue to deliver results, earning a permanent place in the core marketing mix. Cannes Lions is a chance for marketers to learn directly from the creators, agencies, and platforms shaping what's next. And the best way to understand what's working is to see creators in action across the festival. YES THEORY: Ammar Kandil, Thomas Bragg, Business Partner, Zack Honarvar, Moderator Jamie Gutfreund Now in its second year, the Official Creators Rooftop at the Palais has become the place where marketers and creators meet and collaborate. This year's rooftop sponsors include LTK, Meta, Dove, YouTube, Ogilvy, Microsoft, DNY, Billion Dollar Boy, and Adobe. The rooftop will also feature speakers from Rare Beauty, Mattel, Heineken, Sephora, Unilever, Benefits Cosmetics, and Duolingo. The creators rooftop was built for business. It's where brands and creators connect with intent through curated introductions, strategy sessions, and working roundtables that open the door to commercial opportunities. 'We're deepening our matchmaking efforts with curated networking formats to foster meaningful collaboration between creators, brands, and agencies,' said Ed Davidson, Chief Growth Officer, Cannes Lions. The official Creator Rooftop at the Palais from the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity 2024 'You'll find creators everywhere, Davidson added. 'It's not just about visibility; it's about giving creators real access to the conversations shaping the industry's future.' Confirmed creators include Amelia Dimoldenberg, Camila Coutinho, Colin & Samir, Grace Beverley, Haifa Beseisso, Ifeyinwa Mogekwu, Jake Shane, Kai Cenat, Robyn DelMonte, Coco Mocoe and Keith Lee. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 16: Amelia Dimoldenberg attends SNL50: The Anniversary Special on ... More February 16, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by) A highlight of the week: Wednesday night's Social & Creator Lions awards ceremony, the festival's top honor for creator work. The expanded awards now reflect what sets creator marketing apart from traditional advertising, with new categories like Community Building, Cross-Platform Storytelling, and Excellence in Craft. Three years ago, Stagwell recognized a simple truth: athletes gain their influence through consistent high-performance and leadership. Their brand of influence is unique, forged through competition, and strengthened by community support. But most marketers still saw them as talent, not business partners. Stagwell's Sport Beach 2024 featured all-star speakers including Draymond Green, Golden State ... More Warriors, Conal Byrne, IHeart and journalist Taylor Rooks. 'The fundamental idea of Sport Beach is that we take athletes seriously as business people and marketers as serious partners to those athletes,' said Beth Sidhu, Chief Brand and Communications Officer at Stagwell. 'We treat brands and athletes as equals and create spaces for them to do business.' And it's working. Dozens of deals have started at Sport Beach, from equity-backed ventures to creative roles with long-term commercial value. 'Some athletes secure commercial deals, some are forming new brand partnerships, some are creating foundations,' said Sidhu. 'People have closed significant business deals at Sport Beach.' Beth Sidhu, Stagwell's Chief Brand and Communications Officer (left), and Regan Considine, ... More Stagwell's VP, Brand (right). The global calendar adds urgency. 'Between now and 2028, the U.S. will host the World Cup and the Olympics,' Sidhu said. 'We're not going to get this kind of attention on sport again in a generation. We believe that intense focus on sports will drive a wave of marketing investment.' This year's all-star lineup includes Candace Parker, Kyle Kuzma, Jordan Chiles, Carmelo Anthony, Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe, Tara and Hunter Woodhall, Alex Johnson, and Ilona Maher. The business success stories are evident in the week's progamming. In a live taping of the Prof G Pod, NYU Professor Scott Galloway sits down with Candace Parker, WNBA Legend and President of Adidas Women's Basketball, and Alex Rodriguez, Chairman and CEO of A-Rod Corp, on their journey from athlete to investor. Both have translated on-field excellence into boardroom success, leveraging their networks, strategic insight, and personal brands to build diverse investment portfolios beyond traditional endorsements. Carmelo Anthony, an NBA All-Star entrepreneur and philanthropist, knows life on the move: 41 road games, 30 cities, four games a week. He joins Anthony Capuano, President and CEO of Marriott International, and Dan Gardner, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Code and Theory, for a conversation on building a brand that travels, whether you're launching a startup or leading a global company. McLaren Racing takes the stage with CEO Zak Brown, CMO Lou McEwen, and Formula 1 driver Oscar Piastri to share how the team's performance mindset—built on precision, adaptability, and resilience shapes business decisions and drives innovation across the brand. Influential put creators front and center at Cannes. In 2023, they moved first, betting that creators would define the future of marketing, and Cannes was the place to prove it. Their early investment, when few others were paying attention, successfully established a creator presence at the center of the industry's most influential global gathering. Now, in its first year as part of Publicis Groupe, Influential, widely recognized as the largest global creator marketing agency, is expanding its Cannes Lions presence. Sponsored by PayPal, their Cannes 2025 activation includes strategic content, executive programming, and the Forbes Top Creators celebration, which has moved from its traditional fall timing to Cannes in recognition of the growing importance of creators on the global stage. The event will spotlight the 50 most influential and entrepreneurial digital creators. Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity launched a dedicated Creator Pass in 2024 Programming includes a fireside chat with Eva Longoria and L'Oréal CMO Han Wen (in partnership with iHeartMedia), a new partnership announcement with YouTube featuring Global Director Celia Salsi and creator Adam W, and a spotlight on athlete-led innovation with Russell Westbrook and Deandre Jordan. Brand-led panels will feature Sephora, Ulta Beauty, LEGO, Heineken, Lyft, DoorDash, Salesforce, and Hilton. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 18: Alix Earle poses for a photo prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Las ... More Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 18, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Denise Truscello - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images) This year's creator presence is broader than ever, with standout sessions highlighting the intersection of creativity, technology, and commerce. At the Microsoft Beach House, superstar creator Alix Earle will headline a special evening session with Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft EVP and Consumer CMO. Earle will discuss navigating the creator economy and leveraging new AI tools like Copilot to enhance her content and connection with fans. On the LIONS Creators program, the 'Voices of Africa: A Creator Conversation' panel will feature a group of rising talent and cultural leaders from across the continent. Organized by Adetutu Laditan, Founder and Creative Director of Woof Studios and a 2024 Social & Influencer Lions juror. Meanwhile, Epidemic Sound, a leading music tech platform for creators, will host 'Creating Without Permission in the World's Hardest-to-Reach Places,' featuring YouTubers Yes Theory and Drew Binsky. The panel will explore how they capture powerful, often unfiltered stories in some of the world's most remote or restricted regions. Creators will be everywhere at Cannes Lions. But access alone isn't the advantage. What you do with the opportunity is what matters. Use the time to go straight to the source, ask real questions, challenge your assumptions, and pay attention to how the best are building. The most innovative brands aren't just hiring creators. They're learning from them and building strategies that only work because creators are at the center.
Fast Company
6 days ago
- Business
- Fast Company
‘You die if you stop moving:' Advertising legend David Droga on his plans for semi-retirement
David Droga is stepping down as CEO of Accenture Song, the global consultancy's creative marketing services unit. In September Droga will transition from his day-to-day leadership into a broader strategic role as vice chair of Accenture. Within only four years, Droga led Song's growth from $12.5 billion to $19 billion in revenue, all while winning Grand Prix at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity every year, I-COM Data Creativity Awards, Red Dot Design Awards, Webbys, and its first Emmy. Droga came to Accenture back in 2019, after Accenture Interactive acquired his ad agency Droga5. At the time, Droga explained that brand communications had gone far beyond just advertising, seeping into every time and place a consumer experiences a brand—from ads to retail to e-commerce. He knew the combination of Accenture's scale and digital expertise and Droga5's strategy and creativity would be in high demand. 'CEOs, CMOs, and CIOs all need to be on the same page, because they all affect each other now,' he said at the time. 'This isn't a nice-to-have. I think it's going to be crucial for any brand going forward. This is future-proofing.' Six years later, many brands are now just coming to terms with this. When Accenture Interactive was rebranded as Song, Droga (who was named CEO in 2021) saw it as another future-proofing move, to make sure the company's structure matched client demands. 'We're now more in line with each other, working on solutions together, same P&L, so there's no competing forces getting in the way,' he said. 'I think that's the only way to step up and deliver what clients need.' The final deadline for Fast Company's Brands That Matter Awards is this Friday, May 30, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today.
Business Wire
21-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Canadian Marketing Association Announces Two New Board Directors, Appoints Vice-Chair and Expands Affiliate Category
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--At its annual general meeting today, the Canadian Marketing Association (CMA) announced the election of two new directors to its board, appointment of a new vice-chair and approval of updates to its bylaws to broaden individual participation in the CMA community. Joining the board is Susan Irving, chief marketing officer of Kruger Products and Bryan Kane, chief executive officer of FCB Canada. Their appointments further strengthen the board's breadth of experience across the marketing industry. Appointed to vice-chair of the board is Meghan Nameth, president and chief operating officer at Heads Up. 'Susan and Bryan are highly respected marketing leaders who bring valuable insights and deep experience to our board,' said Alan Depencier, SVP and chief marketing officer of commercial banking and insurance at RBC and chair of the CMA board. 'I look forward to working with them and our returning directors as we continue to support the advancement of marketing in Canada. I'm thrilled to be working closely with Meghan, now in the vice-chair role. The board will continue to benefit from her strong expertise, SME experience and over 25 years of success in the industry.' Irving brings more than two decades of marketing leadership with major global brands such as Warner Lambert, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo. She has received numerous industry accolades, including CMA awards, Cassies, Cannes Lions, Cleos, Effies and Media Innovation Awards. She was named CMA Marketer of the Year in 2021 and received a 2025 Inspiring Women award from Campaign US. Irving is a member of the CMA's Media Council and a board member of Canadian Women & Sport and the Ontario Hockey Federation. Kane brings extensive agency leadership and digital innovation experience to the board. Prior to joining FCB, he served as president of Publicis Toronto and managing director of Publicis Modem Canada. He chaired the CMA's Creativity Council from 2021 to 2024 and has led FCB to multiple Agency of the Year awards. His work has helped drive results for brands such as BMO, Metro, Bombardier, Power Corporation, Mackenzie Financial and the Ontario Lottery Corporation. Nameth brings significant senior marketing experience gained from leading iconic brands in the consumer goods, financial services and retail space, including P&G, TD and Loblaw, in addition to SME experience. At the meeting, CMA members approved a bylaw amendment to introduce a new category of individual affiliate. The new category allows individuals who meet certain criteria — such as Chartered Marketers not employed by CMA member companies, marketers in transition or newcomers — to sign up as affiliates in order to participate in CMA activities, such as attending events and educational sessions at member rates and accessing resources. The complete list of board members for 2025-26 is: Alan Depencier (board chair), senior vice-president and chief marketing officer, commercial banking and insurance, RBC Meghan Nameth (vice-chair), president and chief operating officer, Heads Up Isaac Adejuwon, chief executive officer and founder, Metricsflow Brent Chaters, managing director, marketing transformation (Canada), Accenture Sophie Deschênes-Hébert, senior legal counsel, TELUS Jeff Greenspoon, chief global client officer and chief business officer, dentsu Susan Irving, chief marketing officer, Kruger Products Bilal Jaffery, senior partner, Blend360 Bryan Kane, chief executive officer, FCB Canada Devorah Lithwick, chief brand officer, Bell Canada Nicky Mezo, vice-president of marketing, everyday and small business banking, TD Laura Pearce, head of marketing, Google Canada John Peco, associate dean, school of marketing, George Brown College Jacquie Ryan, chief executive officer of the Canadian Olympic Foundation and chief brand and commercial officer of the Canadian Olympic Committee Eva Salem, senior vice-president, marketing and brand, Canadian Tire Evan Wood, executive vice-president and chief strategy officer, Environics Analytics 'This year's board appointments and the introduction of our new individual affiliate category reflect our continued focus on building a diverse, forward-looking and inclusive marketing community,' said Alison Simpson, president and chief executive officer of the CMA. 'We're committed to futureproofing the marketing profession and ensuring our community has opportunities to grow, connect and lead. Our talented board play a key role in our ability to deliver on this mandate and I'm excited for all we will accomplish together.' About the Canadian Marketing Association The CMA is the voice of marketing in Canada and our purpose is to champion marketing's powerful impact. We are the catalyst to help Canada's marketers thrive today, while building the marketing mindset and environment of tomorrow. We provide opportunities for our members from coast to coast to develop professionally, to contribute to marketing thought leadership, to build strong networks and to strengthen the regulatory climate for business success. Our Chartered Marketer (CM) designation signifies that recipients are highly qualified and up to date with best practices, as reflected in the Canadian Marketing Code of Ethics and Standards. We represent virtually all of Canada's major business sectors, and all marketing disciplines, channels and technologies. Our Consumer Centre helps Canadians better understand their rights and obligations. For more information, visit
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How smart CMOs are turning marketing into a launchpad to the corner office
The path to the CEO seat has traditionally run through finance, operations, or legal. But as consumer behavior shifts, digital disruption accelerates, and brand trust becomes a strategic imperative, a new contender is rising: the chief marketing officer. The CMO-to-CEO leap is still rare—only about 10% of Fortune 250 CEOs have marketing backgrounds, according to Spencer Stuart, far fewer than those from finance or ops. But that number is growing, particularly in sectors like retail, consumer tech, media, and digital-first businesses, where customer experience and growth are core to strategy. Today's top marketers are no longer just brand stewards or ad buyers. They're responsible for growth, product, customer experience, digital transformation, and data. Their scope often expands into hybrid titles—chief growth officer, chief customer officer, president of revenue—making them viable candidates for the top job. Examples are mounting. Mary Dillon went from CMO of McDonald's to CEO roles at U.S. Cellular, Ulta Beauty, and now Foot Locker. Andrea Jung served as Avon's CMO before ascending to CEO, with a stop as COO in between. Kristin Dolan rose through media and marketing to become CEO of AMC Networks. Starbucks' Brian Niccol and McDonald's Chris Kempczinski both held senior marketing roles on their way to the corner office. Crucially, they weren't just running campaigns—they were running growth. And in industries where brand and product are inseparable, that distinction matters. What sets these marketing heads-turned-CEOs apart is operational credibility. Many owned P&L responsibility—a near-universal trait among CEOs—and led cross-functional teams across product, tech, and strategy. Their digital fluency, crisis communication chops, and mastery of brand narrative are also additive skills in a volatile business environment. Still, barriers persist. Some boards continue to view marketing as tactical rather than strategic, which may explain why CMOs have among the shortest tenures in the C-suite. A lack of exposure to finance or supply chain can also be a limiting factor for most. But the pipeline is widening. Of the Fortune 500 CMOs who left their roles last year, 10% became CEOs, per Spencer Stuart. And 37% of current Fortune 500 CEOs have some functional experience in marketing. The takeaway: The modern marketing leader—fluent in digital, steeped in growth, and wired for customer insight—is no longer a long shot for the top job. Because in today's economy, a CEO isn't just a strategist. They're a storyteller, too. On that note, my Fortune colleagues and I will be hosting our flagship event at Cannes Lions this June, bringing together the world's most influential minds for thought-provoking conversations on what's next in creativity, innovation, and leadership. For speaker inquiries, contact Naomi Cykiert at feel free to shoot me a line. Hope to see you there. Ruth This story was originally featured on
