The FreeWheel Beach at Cannes Lions
Plage Goéland, Boulevard de la Croisette
Monday 22 – Thursday 25 June 2026
About
We’re thrilled to announce the FreeWheel Beach will be returning to Cannes Lions in 2026.
We’ll showcase recent industry advances, predict what’s next in advertising, and soak up the sun on the French Riviera.
Agenda
Join us throughout the week for a series of standout content sessions featuring an incredible lineup of speakers. Expect insights, perspectives, and debate on the industry’s hottest topics – with more names coming soon.
We can’t wait to see you there!
Note: Only small bags will be allowed (no suitcases). No unauthorized external cameras and/or camera crews are permitted. Access throughout the week is at FreeWheel's discretion and subject to capacity.
4:00 pm - 4:45 pm
Building What’s Next: The Developer Playbook
FreeWheel’s platform was built for builders. In this session, we bring together the innovative developers who are creating new solutions on top of the FreeWheel ecosystem - tools and capabilities designed to help clients move faster, unlock smarter workflows, and deliver stronger results. Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at how these teams are shaping what comes next in advertising technology.
Stephane Bismuth
Co-Founder, Viznet
Joe Hirsch
CEO, Swivel
John Hoctor
CEO/Co-Founder, Newton Research
Ying Wang
General Manager, Xumo
David Dworin
Chief Product Officer, FreeWheel - Moderator
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Comcast Advertising Happy Hour with Universal Ads and Xumo
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Televisionaries: The TV Leaders Panel
Join the UK’s commercial TV chiefs for a very special Televisionaries panel. Leaders from Channel 4, ITV, Sky, and more will come together for a candid and thought-provoking discussion on the future of TV. They’ll explore TV’s latest developments, the impact of streaming, how the TV companies are collaborating in new and innovative ways, and the opportunities for brands keen to get the best out of today’s TV.
Karen Eccles
Managing Director, Sky Media
Rak Patel
Chief Commercial Officer, Channel 4
Kelly Williams
Managing Director, Commercial, ITV
Lindsey Clay
Chief Executive, Thinkbox - Moderator
10:15 am – 11:15 am
Welcome to Full Velocity: Winning at the Pace of AI
Opening Remarks
AI is speeding everything up in the media world, and it’s changing the way we all work. New ideas can become real products faster than ever, and there’s a huge opportunity to stand out with smarter solutions that actually make a difference. Of course, that also means the pressure is on—everyone’s trying to move first and move fast.
Mark McKee
General Manager, FreeWheel
Acceleration through Automation
James Rooke, President of Comcast Advertising, will lead a discussion on new advancements in automated intelligence that are making it easier than ever for advertisers to use data and technology to drive proven outcomes and optimize for greater success.
James Rooke
President, Comcast Advertising
Special guest to be announced
The Future of Agentic Advertising, Today
AI-driven, agentic media planning and buying is on everyone’s lips - but how far has it really come? Leaders from brands, broadcasters, and tech will explore the current state of agentic buying, its real-world impact, and why this rapidly evolving space is just getting started.
Jon Gieselman
Chief Growth Officer, Comcast
Soo Jin Oh
Chief Financial Officer, FreeWheel - Moderator
Faster. Smarter. Further. Advertising Beyond Borders
Executing unified, global media campaigns has never been easy - especially in premium TV and video. But in an AI‑fueled world, both the urgency for global coordination and the ability to deliver it are accelerating fast. Thomas Bremond, Managing Director of Comcast Advertising International, leads this panel exploring how the industry is responding, and what it takes to make global campaigns work at scale today.
Thomas Bremond
Managing Director, Comcast Advertising, International
Special guest to be announced
9:30 am - 11:00 am
Must See Moments with NBCUniversal
Comedy in Culture: Seth Meyers & Colin Jost on the Business of Funny
LIVE from FreeWheel Beach in Cannes, Colin Jost and Seth Meyers join NBCUniversal’s Katie Hockmeyer for a candid conversation on the power of comedy in today’s cultural landscape - and why brands should be paying attention. From building loyal audiences to driving conversation and creating memorable moments that break through the noise, they’ll explore why humor remains one of the most effective tools for connecting with consumers in an increasingly fragmented media environment. Expect sharp insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and plenty of laughs along the way.
Cannes Confessionals: Live Podcast Taping with Virtual Reali-Tea
Join Page Six’s Virtual Reali-Tea for a live podcast taping from FreeWheel Beach, where pop culture, fandom, and unfiltered conversation take center stage. Lindsay Hubbard and Mia Calabrese will join hosts Danny Murphy and Evan Real for a candid conversation on life in the spotlight — from friendships and fashion to fan culture and behind-the-scenes moments audiences can’t get enough of. Expect sharp takes, surprise moments, and plenty of tea — all set against the backdrop of Cannes. The taping will be followed by an exclusive meet-and-greet with attendees.
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Scheduled meetings only
Speakers
Stephane Bismuth
Co-Founder, Viznet
Thomas Bremond
Managing Director, Comcast Advertising, International
Lindsey Clay
Chief Executive, Thinkbox
David Dworin
Chief Product Officer, FreeWheel
Karen Eccles
Managing Director, Sky Media
Jon Gieselman
Chief Growth Officer, Comcast
Joe Hirsch
CEO, Swivel
John Hoctor
CEO/Co-Founder, Newton Research
Soo Jin Oh
Chief Financial Officer, FreeWheel
Mark McKee
General Manager, FreeWheel
Rak Patel
Chief Commercial Officer, Channel 4
James Rooke
President, Comcast Advertising
Ying Wang
General Manager, Xumo
Kelly Williams
Managing Director, Commercial, ITV
Join us
Cannes Lions Delegate access hours:
Monday 22 June: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Tuesday 23 June: 9:00 am – 11:15 am
Wednesday 24 June: 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Thursday 25 June: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Speak to your FreeWheel representative to book a meeting or for any queries [email protected].
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