Hearst Magazines returned to the Croisette this June with an extraordinary presence at the 2025 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. From June 16-19, Hearst House served as a destination for dynamic conversations, immersive programming, and celebration of media innovation, bringing together global thought leaders, cultural trailblazers, and editorial visionaries.
Over four days of impactful programming, Hearst Magazines hosted a series of high-profile panels, fireside chats, and curated experiences focused on the future of storytelling, purpose-led marketing, generational insights, and data-driven innovation. Notable speakers and participants included:
- Willa Bennett, Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan & Seventeen, who led several key sessions including “Love, Redefined: How Gen Z is Transforming Connection in the Digital Age” with Jackie Jantos, President & CMO of Hinge
- Kenya Hunt, Editor-in-Chief of ELLE UK, who hosted an intimate beauty session alongside Vanessa Wallace, CMO of Savage X Fenty, and served as a juror for this year’s Cannes Lions awards
- Michael Sebastian, Editor-in-Chief of Esquire, who engaged in a captivating conversation with Carmelo Anthony, NBA legend and co-founder of VII(N), and Asani Swann, entrepreneur and co-founder of The Seventh Estate
- Lisa Ryan Howard, EVP, Global Chief Revenue Officer, who joined Brian Morrissey and Willa Bennett in a live taping of The Rebooting Podcast
- Jen Dorre, Mike Nuzzo, and Sherri Chambers, senior executives at Hearst Magazines, who explored the power of first-party data and performance marketing during “Rosé & ROAS™”
The agenda also featured panels with Paula Veale of the Ad Council, Shaina Zafar of UTA Next Gen, and Jo Cronk of Whalar, who joined Bennett for a discussion on Gen Z engagement through purposeful communication.
Other celebratory moments included Cosmo’s “Z Stars” event, a high-energy evening hosted by Willa Bennett and content creator Jake Shane, and a DJ set by James Blake that captivated attendees during the opening night reception.
Cannes Lions has offered an unparalleled platform to showcase the intersection of creativity, commerce, and culture. We are proud to have shared the stage with some of the industry’s most influential leaders, continuing to shape the future of media. A special thank you to our amazing partners for making it all possible.
Throughout the week, Hearst House served as a hub for meaningful exchange and bold storytelling—championing a future-forward approach to consumer engagement, editorial innovation, and brand transformation.
