Tag: spotify at cannes

Spotify at Cannes Lions 2025: The Week’s Unmissable Highlights, Star Power, and More

Last week, Spotify returned to the Croisette for our 11th year at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity—bringing together artists, creators, brands, and fans for three days of inspiring conversations, unforgettable performances, and bold ideas at Spotify Beach.

Spotify’s Cannes Lions highlights

This year, Spotify was recognized across several categories at Cannes Lions, reflecting our commitment to creativity and innovation. Highlights include:

    • Grand Prix Lion for Innovation for the Sounds Right campaign in partnership with United Nations and AKQA.
    • Gold Lion for Design-Driven Effectiveness for the Spreadbeats campaign in partnership with FCB New York.
    • Silver Lion for Digital Design for Spreadbeats in partnership with FCB New York.
    • Bronze Lion in Corporate Purpose & Social Responsibility for the Sounds Right campaign in partnership with United Nations and AKQA.
    • Shortlisted for Excellence in Craft for the Do You Speak Anitta? campaign.
    • Shortlisted for Consumer Services/Business to Business and Innovation in Branded Content & Social Behavior for Spreadbeats.
    • Shortlisted for Fan Engagement & Community Building for the Singing in Your Inglish campaign.
    • Shortlisted for Rebrand/Refresh of an Existing Brand for Spotify Italy’s Bloombeats in partnership with Dentsu Creative. 
    • Shortlisted for Design for Behavioural Change for Spotify Japan’s Pride Code in partnership with TBWA\HAKUHODO.

Spotify Beach in action

From exclusive panels and a star-studded soirée to exceptional musical moments, here’s a look back at the most memorable scenes from Spotify’s week in the South of France.

Monday, June 16

Spotify Beach kicked off with powerhouse programming featuring Paris Hilton, Louis Theroux, and Charlie Puth. Moderated by Spotify’s Global Head of Podcast Advertising & Business Development, Emma Vaughn, “Mic Check: In Conversation With Louis Theroux, featuring Paris Hilton” explored the power of storytelling across podcasts, documentaries, music, and memoirs. Paris reflected on using her podcast to highlight meaningful stories and connect with others:

“With my social [channels], I can showcase the more fun, glamorous, and playful side. But through my podcast, I can talk about things that are very meaningful to me […] and use my voice to be a voice for others.”

Puth joined Spotify’s Global Head of Business Marketing, Bridget Evans, for “Rhythm and ROI: Amplifying Music in Your Marketing Strategy,” sharing insights on how music drives brand storytelling—and even teasing a new Broadway project and his upcoming album.

The evening wrapped with Spotify’s annual soirée, where Puth performed fan favorites like “Attention” and “See You Again,” plus a surprise rendition of Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” Guests included Antoni Porowski, Winnie Harlow, Kyle Kuzma, Bill Nye, Dylan Efron, Rachel Lindsay, Jake Shane, Bowen Yang, and Matt Rogers.

Spotify Beach Is Back for the Annual Cannes Lions Festival

Spotify is heading back to France for the annual Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, and this year we’ll showcase how Spotify is more alive than ever as a creative playground where creators share, fans explore, and brands are discovered. Throughout the week, we’ll invite attendees to experience Spotify IRL, as a cultural force and the best home for creators and fans.

“Spotify is home to an unrivaled global community of artists, songwriters, podcasters, authors, creatives, fans, and brands,” said Brian Berner, Spotify’s Global Head of Advertising Sales & Partnerships. “This year, we’re bringing to life the creativity that lives on Spotify and how we’ve made it easier than ever for advertisers to join Spotify’s ever-evolving playground and engage with audiences in a positive, premium, brand-safe environment.”

From Monday, June 16, through Thursday, June 19, Spotify Beach once again serves as a creative epicenter on the Croisette. Our daytime sessions will feature some of the world’s leading authors, actors, creators, and musicians, including Paris Hilton, Louis Theroux, Charlie Puth, Mark Ronson, Morgan Absher, Jake Shane, Rachel Lindsay, Seal, Rob Mayhew, and more. We’ll also be hosting two evenings of can’t-miss concerts: Alex Warren, sombr, and Royel Otis will perform on June 17, while Cardi B, a DJ set from Mark Ronson, and Lola Young take the stage on June 18. Charlie Puth will also perform during an exclusive opening-night soirée. 

Spotify Beach will also host interactive, immersive experiences. At the Soul Coffee Cafe, guests can enjoy a coffee and join the Beach Jam via QR codes. Guests can snap a selfie, use it to create their own custom playlist cover art, and have it printed or sent to their socials at the Cover Art Creator Zone. At the Audiobook Flavors Bar, guests can check out top titles for summer listening and cool off with customized soft serve, so they can “taste” an audiobook of their choice.

Here’s a rundown of what’s happening daily:

Monday, June 16

Mic Check: In Conversation with Louis Theroux, featuring Paris Hilton
What happens when an award-winning documentarian meets a pop-culture powerhouse? Join Louis Theroux and Paris Hilton as they share the stage to explore the art of storytelling across formats—from podcasts and documentaries to music, memoir, and more. Expect creative chemistry, surprising parallels, and sharp perspectives you won’t want to miss.

Rhythm and ROI: Amplifying Music in Your Marketing Strategy with Charlie Puth
Artists shape culture; learn how brands can tap in. Chart-topping artist Charlie Puth shares his thoughts on how sound drives emotion and how collaboration can boost cultural impact and audience connection.

Tuesday, June 17

Culture Club: The Influence and Impact of Fandom
Culture isn’t just created; it’s ignited and propelled by fans. From viral podcasts fueled by listener enthusiasm to global music moments amplified by devoted audiences, fandoms are the vibrant engines where culture truly comes to life. Join Jake Shane, Morgan Absher, and Rachel Lindsay for a deep dive into how fandoms drive modern culture and elevate creators.

The Power of Presence: How Authenticity and Resilience Forge Global Influence with Mark Ronson
What does it take to build lasting cultural impact across industries? In this dynamic conversation, Spotify’s Chief Public Affairs Officer Dustee Jenkins sits down with Grammy-winning producer and author Mark Ronson to explore the role of authenticity in creative and professional success. From number-one hits to thought-provoking storytelling, they’ll discuss how staying true to your voice—whether written, spoken, or sung—can resonate with audiences, spark emotional connection, and drive meaningful brand engagement in today’s attention economy.

Nighttime performances shine a spotlight on the biggest emerging talent of 2025, including Alex Warren, sombr, and Royel Otis, and feature sets from DJs Baby J and Dre Tala.

Wednesday, June 18

From AI to IRL: Navigating Creativity in the Now
AI is the marketing industry’s topic du jour, but it takes human creativity to make ads that matter. In this discussion, guided by Spotify’s own AI DJ X, prominent creatives discuss how brands are blending Spotify’s intelligence (AI, personalization) with cultural and editorial insights to build products and campaigns that connect with global audiences and individuals on emotional levels. Get a fresh perspective on how to pair AI’s capabilities with human creativity to enhance brand storytelling and inspire engagement. The session will close with a special appearance by Grammy-winning artist Seal, who’ll reflect on the role of human emotion and storytelling in the age of AI.

Sound to Story: The Art of Personalization Through Music with Ludwig Göransson and Miles Caton
Unlock the sound secrets behind the blockbuster film Sinners. Discover how the seamless fusion of music and storytelling elevates a film’s emotional impact with composer Ludwig Göransson and breakout film actor Miles Caton. This session explores how soundtracks shape cinematic experiences and how brands can harness the same power to create lasting emotional connections with their audiences.

Nighttime performances feature Cardi B, a DJ set from Mark Ronson, and Lola Young. DJs Baby J and Dre Tala will also spin tunes.

Emma Chamberlain and Taj Alavi On How to Work With Brands and Maintain Your Voice

CANNES, FRANCE - JUNE 19: (L-R) Charlie Smith, CMO, Loewe, Taj Alavi, VP, Global Head of Marketing, Spotify and Emma Chamberlain, Creator of 'Anything Goes' onstage during the Spotify Beach At Cannes Lions 2023 Session: Building a Brand is More than Meets the Eye… And Ear on June 19, 2023 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Antony Jones/Getty Images for Spotify)

Emma Chamberlain, host of anything goes with emma chamberlain has built her following on her unique voice and aesthetic. Her frank perspective goes a long way to establish trust and credibility with her listeners, and they keep coming back for more.

This master of branding and voice joined us at Spotify Beach during the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity for a session on building a brand, talking not only about her approach to the content she creates, but how she navigates partnerships, projects, and other ventures.

She was joined by Charlie Smith, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Loewe, and Taj Alavi, VP, Global Head of Marketing, Spotify. The three shared their thoughts on engaging with Gen Z, how brands can find their voices, and Spotify’s playful new brand positioning. Here are four top tips for finding your voice, building a brand, and connecting with fans from Emma and Taj.

1. Bring out your personality—and maintain it—across all projects. 

While it can be tempting to mimic what’s trending on the internet and create an elaborate strategy to gain popularity, genuine content creation is completely intuitive, says Emma. She doesn’t curate a persona or a personality, but simply follows her instincts as to what will perform. And then she doesn’t stop working until she’s made content she feels proud of. 

Taj agrees. “Our audience knows and loves us for the things that make us uniquely Spotify, and staying true to our brand beliefs and principles in every collaboration, partnership, new product feature, and playlist is crucial,” she says. “As we evolve our platform to become more interactive and discoverable, we also prioritize creating content that’s intuitive and speaks to our community of creators and fans alike.” 

When it comes to Spotify marketing, we focus on what makes our brand special to creators, artists and fans. Why? Whatever is happening in the world is unfolding, evolving, and remixing on Spotify too. “When you press play on Spotify, your listening experience enhances whatever is happening in your present moment,” notes Taj. “This is the basis of our new brand campaign which is starting to roll out this week across many markets around the world.”

2. Find a brand partner you really love

It can be tempting to partner with any brand who reaches out, especially if you’re just getting started. But both Emma and Spotify maintain credibility and identity by being just picky enough. 

“There’s a freshness to our platform,” says Taj. “Spotify is a place where global culture is made, shared and celebrated by the world’s fans and creators. We look for brand partners and creators who share this passion for cultivating culture.”

“I look for a strong personal connection, a genuine love for the product,” Emma agrees. “For example, I have been using Spotify for all things audio since I was 15 years old, I have been using Canon cameras since the beginning of my video career, and have been wearing clothes from Aritzia and Levi’s for years.” 

While she sometimes discovers a brand through a partnership—cosmetics brand Lancôme is a recent example—she always makes sure to test run their offerings before promoting them. “I started playing with their products immediately and have become a genuine fan that way.”

When it comes to Spotify, Taj notes that successful collaborations allow us to engage with communities in meaningful ways. When we work with creators to help them connect with and grow their audience, our top priority is to lift up and showcase their authentic voices. We also look for partners who help us build synergies and engage specific fan groups—from movies and shows like The Little Mermaid and The Last of Us to our integration with Strava.

CANNES, FRANCE - JUNE 19: (L-R) Charlie Smith, CMO, Loewe, Taj Alavi, VP, Global Head of Marketing, Spotify and Emma Chamberlain, Creator of 'Anything Goes' onstage during the Spotify Beach At Cannes Lions 2023 Session: Building a Brand is More than Meets the Eye… And Ear on June 19, 2023 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Antony Jones/Getty Images for Spotify)

3. Communicate, communicate, communicate

Balancing your own voice with that of a brand is tricky, and requires an “incredible amount of communication,” says Emma. “It is my number one priority to maintain my voice in a partnership, and I make it clear to the brands I work with that I need to be able to have creative input and creative freedom, while also promising to honor their creative vision for their channels.”

On the brand side, Taj agrees. Brands should prioritize flexibility in the moment to have a consistent and engaged presence and relationship. “Form the ability to pivot quickly and adapt to cultural conversations and new opportunities,” she recommends. 

4. Grow together

“Transformation is the key to growth,” says Taj. She believes that radical experimentation can drive longterm brand outcomes—and that Spotify thrives thanks to our constant drumbeat of efforts and commitment to continuous evolution. Fostering an entrepreneurial spirit can, too. “You have to create a team and cross-functional environment where challenges become opportunities, and creativity drives growth,” she explains. 

“I think the key to a successful partnership is a balance between the personality of the brand and the personality of the public figure,” Emma notes. While it can be frightening for both parties to hand over creative control, but in a quality partnership, finding this balance is crucial. 

“Let the voice of the public figure provide a new dimension to your brand,” says Emma. “Let them bring a new brand perspective to the public, even when it feels like a risk. This is what makes these partnerships lucrative when they are successful.”

Catch all the conversations happening on the ground at Cannes on Newsroom.Spotfy.com/SpotifyBeach2023 and listen to the full conversation on Spotify.