What is The Cannes Opener?

The Power of Purpose with Paris Hilton - Day 1

In this episode, Savannah unpacks Paris Hilton’s transformation from pop culture icon to purpose-driven powerhouse. From Capitol Hill advocacy to founding 11:11 Media — a billion-dollar, impact-led empire — Paris proves that intention, fandom, and truth can drive serious brand growth. A sharp, surprising reminder that being “always everywhere” isn’t about fame — it’s about alignment.

The Trend Galaxy with Amy Daroukakis - Day 1

Savannah unpacks a standout workshop from cultural strategist Amy Daroukakis, who shares her “Trend Galaxy” framework — a tool to help strategists, creatives and brand thinker move from spotting trends to activating them with depth and relevance. From Shooting Stars to Underexplored Universes, this episode breaks down how to decode and apply cultural signals that actually matter.

Reconnecting Funnels & Feelings - Day 1

Reconnecting Funnels and Feelings How Sephora and R/GA are turning CX into brand-building power tools.   What if your brand book says “we care,” but your chatbot makes people cry? In this episode, Savannah dives into one of Cannes Lions’ most refreshingly real talks —led by R/GA’s Yael Cesarkas and Sephora’s Brent Mitchell. Expect a bitesized breakdown of: * Why CX complaints are outpacing CX mentions * How Sephora built a feeling-first customer journey * Why most brand strategies are still stuck in the toothpaste era * And what “sophisticated neglect” really looks like in 2025 This one’s a must-listen for anyone stuck translating brand fluff into real customer experiences — and ready to close the gap between emotional promise and operational pain.

What is The Cannes Opener?

First-time Cannes-goer and Strategy Director Savannah Hanson lifts the lid on what really goes down at the world’s most talked-about creativity festival. From red carpets to real talk, this intro episode sets the stage for The Cannes Opener — a podcast that cuts through the fluff to bring you smart, strategic takeaways from inside the Palais and beyond. Created in collaboration with DEYA, this one’s for the thinkers, planners, and builders who want the why, not just the wow.