SPORT BEACH 2025

Bringing Back the NBA on NBC: A Conversation on Taking Legacy and Innovation to New Heights

With the NBA and WNBA’s homecoming to NBC, the league is returning to a vastly different company compared to 23 years ago. Armed with an ad-supported streaming platform, Peacock, NBCUniversal is bringing back legendary IP and talent in ways like never before. Speakers include Julie Morris, SVP, Head of Commercial Development & Media, NBA; Mike Tirico, Host & Play-by-Play, NBC Sports; Peter Lazarus, EVP, Sports & Olympics, Agency & Partnerships, NBCUniversal; Luz CoronaEditor, Campaign US#sportbeach2025 #stagwellatcannes #sportbeach #canneslions

Future of News: Why News Junkies are the Real MVPs​

News is the future – and we’re bringing new data to prove it. Join us for a C-Suite conversation unpacking the business case for investing in the high-quality media environments of news. Spoiler alert: if you’re not including “news junkies” in your media strategy, you’re missing some of your most engaged and influential consumers. Speakers include Mark Penn, Chairman & CEO, Stagwell; Mike Reed, Chairman and CEO, Gannett | USA TODAY NETWORK; Tracy-Ann Lim, Chief Media Officer, JPMorgan Chase; Meredith Kopit Levien, President & CEO, The New York Times; Almar Latour, Publisher, The Wall Street Journal & CEO, Dow Jones; Jeff Green, Co-Founder & CEO, The Trade Desk#sportbeach2025 #stagwellatcannes #sportbeach #canneslions

Moving at the Speed of Culture

Culture doesn't wait... and neither do the brands that matter. In today's hyper-accelerated landscape, authentic connections are built in real-time, not boardrooms. Join three masters of cultural momentum: Verizon CMO Leslie Berland, who's redefined how global brands break through the noise, professional BMX icon Nigel Sylvester, whose creative vision has turned street culture into mainstream movements, and Sports Media host Taylor Rooks, who crafts the stories that bridge across cultures. Speakers include Nigel Sylvester, Professional BMX Athlete; Leslie Berland, CMO, Verizon; TJ Adeshola, Operating Partner, Arctos Partners; Taylor Rooks, Sports Media Host#sportbeach2025 #stagwellatcannes #sportbeach #canneslions

From Players to Powerhouses: How Sports Became the Entertainment Industry’s Main Event

Welcome to "Sportywood," where the lines between sports, entertainment, and media has almost vanished. Today’s athletes and leagues are more than competitors: they're global brands, cultural tastemakers, and powerful storytellers, driving sports to outgrow seasonal competitions and become year-round entertainment empires that rival traditional studios. From NIL deals to content studios, exclusive merch drops to captivating docuseries - from the established giants of the NFL and NBA to the rising stars of Western sports—are reshaping what it means to be in sports. Speakers include Deirdre Lester, CEO, Teton Ridge; Heidi Browning, Senior EVP & CMO, NHL; Michaela Hammond, Co-Founder, OffBall; Matt Curtin,President, NFL Players Inc.; Tammy Henault, CMO, NBA#sportbeach2025 #stagwellatcannes #sportbeach #canneslions

Wrexham AFC: How Storytelling Sparked a Movement

Wrexham AFC’s rise is more than a sports story - it’s a masterclass in storytelling, strategy, and the power of true partnership. Listen to Ryan Reynolds, co-owner of Wrexham AFC, Maggie Schmerin, Chief Advertising Officer at United Airlines, and Shachar Scott, VP of Marketing at Meta Reality Labs, with Evin Shutt, Global CEO of 72andSunny to discuss how bold, collaborative marketing - from the Emmy-winning Welcome to Wrexham to viral moments and even collectible pajamas (we aren’t kidding) - turned a beloved Welsh football club into a global cultural phenomenon. Speakers include Ryan Reynolds, Co-Owner, Wrexham AFC; Maggie Schmerin, Chief Advertising Officer, United Airlines; Shachar Scott,Vice President, Marketing - Reality Labs, Meta; Evin Shutt, Global CEO, 72andSunny#sportbeach2025 #stagwellatcannes #sportbeach #canneslions

Beverly Jackson, VP Marketing, Zillow & Bryan Rowles in the SPORT BEACH Content Studio

Beverly Jackson, Vice President of Marketing at Zillow joins Bryan Rowles, Partner and Executive Creative Director at 72andSunny in the SPORT BEACH Content Studio at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. #sportbeach2025 #stagwellatcannes #sportbeach #canneslions

Julie Hogan, VP, Brand & Industry Marketing, META & Yann Caloghiris in SPORT BEACH Content Studio

Julie Hogan, VP, Global Brand Experiences & Industry Marketing of META joins Yann Caloghiris, Executive Director, Creative, Strategy, and Innovation of Left Field Labs in the SPORT BEACH Content Studio at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. #sportbeach2025 #stagwellatcannes #sportbeach #canneslions

Global Goals: How Tech and Culture are Reshaping the World Cup

As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup begins, the future of soccer has never looked more united. Hear Microsoft sit down with two soccer legends: US Men's National Team forward Balogun, and FIFA Cup Champion Ali Krieger for a forward-looking conversation on how innovation is leveling the playing field and bringing the global game closer together. Speakers include Jessica Daughetee, Corporate VP, Marketing Experiences, Microsoft; Ayo Akinwolere, Award Winning Broadcaster, The Athletic; Ali Krieger, 2x FIFA World Cup Champion; Folarin Balogun, U.S. Soccer Men's National Team Player#sportbeach2025 #stagwellatcannes #sportbeach #canneslions

”The More Ball I Played, the More I Caught Onto the Game”: Live Prof G pod

This high-powered conversation brings together two iconic sports figures who have successfully translated their on-field excellence into boardroom success. A-Rod and Candace represent a new breed of athlete-investors who are leveraging their unique perspectives, networks, and personal brands to build diverse investment portfolios that extend far beyond traditional athlete endorsements.Speakers include Alex Rodriguez, Chairman & CEO, A-Rod Corp & Owner, Minnesota Timberwolves & Lynx; Candace Parker, WNBA Legend & President of Adidas Women's Basketball; Scott Galloway, NYU Professor, Entrepreneur, Podcast Host#sportbeach2025 #stagwellatcannes #sportbeach #canneslions

Rob Bullough, VP Global Brand/Creative, Epidemic Sound & Gina Gray in the SPORT BEACH Content Studio

Rob Bullough Vice Prisident of Global Brand + Creative at Epidemic Sound joins Gina Gray Chief Growth Officer of Colle McVoy in the SPORT BEACH Content Studio at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. #sportbeach2025 #stagwellatcannes #sportbeach #canneslions