Agency reporters Brian Bonilla and Ewan Larkin break down the key topics, trends and questions to watch at this year's Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. From how industry mergers including Omnicom-IPG will shift agency priorities to the rise of independent agencies, they describe what factors are impacting the awards, events and conversations on the ground this year.

Plus, they discuss why the presence of social media creators is on the rise, how sports marketing is showing up and the top questions they're seeking answers to at Cannes.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Everything to know about Cannes Lions 2026

~Cannes Lions 2026 schedule

~The Cannes Lions creator playbook

~Enter Ad Age's 40 Under 40 by July 23

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast

Watch this episode and see additional resources for marketers at AdAge.com/cmo.

In the first episode of the Ad Age CMOs on CMOs series, Andrea Collins, CMO of Hippo, and Liz Vanzura, CMO of Solo Stove, break down how they're implementing AI into team workflows, and how marketers can start discussing AI implementation with teams mindfully. They also dig into grassroots marketing tactics and the power of bringing your brand to consumers.

CMOs on CMOs is a new series from Ad Age. Each episode will feature two marketing leaders, discussing the trends, changes and trials of their work. Stay tuned for more episodes in the coming months.

For years, the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been must-buy media inventory for marketers. But numerous controversies as well as the bigger-than-ever nature of the soccer games have presented new challenges and considerations for brands.

Creativity Editor Tim Nudd and Senior Marketing Reporter Jon Springer discuss trends that have emerged across World Cup creative, sports marketing trends on the rise versus on the outs and how recent fan disruptions from ticket prices to geopolitical disruption have impacted brand plans.

Plus, they reveal the first-ever Ad Age Insider World Cup Marketing Award winners, including the most unique work, best brand strategy and best World Cup campaign. Listen to discover which brands took home trophies.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Everything brands need to know about World Cup marketing

~How brands are using access to break through World Cup clutter

~See Coca-Cola's unique AI activation

~See Air Transat's pricing-themed OOH campaign

~Watch Adidas' campaign starring Timothee Chalamet

~Inside Nike's star-studded World Cup spot

~See McDonald's World Cup collectors' cups

~These brands nailed World Cup work this year

~Enter Ad Age's 40 Under 40 by July 23

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief podcast