Publish Date: Jun 07, 2024
The Unstereotype Alliance will be at this year’s Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Join us for a wide range of activations including rich discussions about ageism in advertising, promoting healthy masculinities in content, how to avoid baked-in bias in AI, an exciting main stage appearance and more.
TUESDAY 18th JUNE, 15:15 - 15:45 CEST
Main Stage: The Business Case for Progressive Advertising
Join us at the Rotonde stage (formerly Palais II) as we unveil initial findings from ‘The Business Case for Progressive Advertising’ and lay to rest misconceptions that ‘woke equals broke’.
In partnership with Oxford University’s Saïd Business School, Kantar, WARC and five of the world’s leading advertisers, we reveal an industry-first study that proves inclusive content drives sales. While existing qualitative evidence shows advertising performance and purchase intent are improved when advertising is diverse and progressive, this session uncovers how it converts to sales across multiple sectors, worldwide.
Hear from key contributors to learn what constitutes inclusive advertising and how brands can embrace the data to develop lucrative content that satisfies customers and stakeholders and drives positive social change. In times of economic challenges, this evidence will help transform critical boardroom conversations.
Speakers
Sara Denby, Head of the UA Secretariat, UN Women
Jon Halvorson, VP of Consumer Experience and Digital Commerce, Mondelēz International
Andrew Stephen, Deputy Dean for Faculty and Research, L'Oréal Professor of Marketing, Saïd Business School, Oxford University
Learn more about this on the Cannes Lions Programme 2024.
WEDNESDAY 19th JUNE, 15:00 - 16:00 CEST
outrAGE: Addressing Ageism in Advertising
In this session, speakers will address the connection between ageism in the industry and in the work, and how this dynamic subsequently breeds age-related stereotypes the world over.
It is the ‘ism’ that affects us all, with the industry hemorrhaging invaluable IP and experience due to a fabricated ‘Best Before’ date for women and men alike. If we tackle ageism on both the agency and client side, can we reshape narratives and establish connections with this underrepresented yet growing and influential cohort?
Speakers will share stories of success and impact and how we can collectively drive industry-wide change.
Speakers
MODERATOR: Sara Denby, Head of the UA Secretariat, UN Women
Nicky Bullard, Group Chief Creative Officer, MullenLowe Group UK
Aba Blankson, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, NAACP
Jackie Cooper, Chief Brand Officer, Edelman
Claire McHardy, Inclusion Director, Creative Equals
The IPG Common Ground, The Carlton
THURSDAY 20th JUNE, 10:30 - 11:15 CEST
Session: Protecting the DE&I in AI
AI, particularly generative AI, has rapidly gained interest and adoption across the advertising industry. While it offers efficiencies, there are concerns that DE&I efforts have not permeated all processes and ecosystems, causing a risk that progress will be stalled - or worse, reversed.
This session will unpack the latest thinking and guidance on how those using and developing AI systems can safeguard against regression and avoid regurgitating ‘baked-in bias’.
Speakers
MODERATOR: Sara Denby, Head of the UA Secretariat, UN Women
Christina Mallon, Head of Inclusive Design, Microsoft
Tina Biswas, Group Vice President, Client Partner at Razorfish
Asha Shivaji, CEO and Co-Founder, SeeMe Index
Rebecca Swift, SVP, Creative, Getty Images
Address: Canopy at the Hilton, 2 Boulevard Jean Hilbert
THURSDAY 20th JUNE, 15:00 - 16:00 CEST
Session: Are We Leaving Men & Boys Behind?
Don't miss this stellar session at Yahoo Beach, which unpacks the topic of dismantling monolithic masculinities in advertising.
Young men’s attitudes towards gender equality are in an alarming downward spiral. Recent research from Ipsos and the Financial Times corroborates findings from the Unstereotype Alliance’s GEA study - that men 16-19 across 20 countries have the most regressive attitudes towards feminism and gender equality of all generations. Tracking in tandem is another disturbing trend: young men’s mental health is in rapid decline.
What is driving this – and are they connected? When it comes to gender equality, have we left men and boys behind? How does advertising play a role? The Unstereotype Alliance brings together expert voices to answer these urgent questions and share the critical steps for brands to course correct and create a better future for all.
Speakers
Sara Denby, Head of the Unstereotype Alliance Secretariat, UN Women
Fernando Desouches, Managing Director, BBD Perfect Storm’s New Macho
Rachel Lowenstein, Global Head of Inclusive Innovation, Mindshare
Dr Rebecca Swift, SVP Creative, Getty Images
Michelle Terry, CEO, Movember
John Williams, Global Director for Scotch, Captain Morgan and Gordon’s, Diageo
Address: Martinez Beach, 73 Boulevard de la Croisette