Fortune Deepens Cannes Lions Ties with AI-Focused Executive Programming

Event summary

  • Fortune returns as official media partner for Cannes Lions 2026, hosting editorial programming and executive events from June 23–25.
  • Flagship 'Fuel Up with Fortune' event on June 23 will feature CMOs from Lenovo, Instacart, Uber, and other major brands.
  • Fortune will produce live coverage, executive interviews, and a closing DJ set co-hosted with three partners.
  • Ruth Umoh will film new episodes of her 'Next to Lead' vodcast series, sponsored by Salesforce, featuring marketing leaders from Zoom, TD Bank, and Tapestry.

The big picture

Fortune's expanded presence at Cannes Lions 2026 underscores the growing convergence of creativity, technology, and business leadership in the marketing industry. As AI continues to reshape brand strategies, Fortune is positioning itself as a key platform for executives navigating this transformation. The event series builds on Fortune's strategy of leveraging high-profile gatherings to reinforce its authority in business journalism and executive networking.

What we're watching

AI Integration
How Fortune's focus on AI-driven trust-building will position it against competitors in the executive media space.
Event Scaling
Whether Fortune can sustain the growth of its global events platform amid increasing competition for executive attention.
Content Differentiation
The pace at which Fortune can develop unique insights from its Cannes Lions coverage to stand out in a crowded field.