3 key insights from Cannes Lions 2026

3 key insights from Cannes Lions 2026

Live from Cannes Lions, Jon and Kory reflect on the biggest themes, surprises and lessons from this year's festival. From experiencing unreasonable hospitality firsthand to the continued rise of creators and the rapid evolution of AI, they unpack what really stood out, and why many of the biggest takeaways had very little to do with technology. Whether you made it to the Croisette or followed along from afar, this is the Uncensored Renegades debrief on what actually mattered at Cannes Lions 2026. Timestamps 00:00 - Start 01:50 - Unreasonable hospitality in action 12:22 - The power of creators at Cannes 15:25 - How brands can collaborate with creators 19:52 - The AI shift in 2026 23:00 - The impact of the World Cup 26:09 - How brands are getting involved with the World Cup 28:59 - Final takeaway - getting back to basics

Why culture eats strategy for breakfast

Jon and Kory tackle one of the most talked-about, and most misunderstood, aspects of leadership: culture. What actually is culture? How do you know if yours is healthy? And why do some organisations consistently attract great people while others struggle? Drawing on research, personal experience, and leadership lessons, Jon and Kory discuss how culture is created, how it can be changed, and why hiring for cultural fit is only part of the story. They also explore why even brilliant people can fail in the wrong environment, how agency partners should become an extension of your culture, and why lasting change starts with taking ownership yourself. Timestamps 00:00 - Start 00:35 - What does the data say about building culture 02:06 - Signs of a healthy culture 04:52 - What actually is culture? 06:27 - The different types of cultures 10:14 - How to hire for people that meet your culture 12:48 - How culture can feed into your agency partners 13:59 - How to change a culture 17:01 - Why is change scary? 20:17 - Dealing with the right person in the wrong culture 21:35 - How our beliefs shape our reality 24:03 - Why you need to take ownership to change the culture

Take the leap - why taking risks can lead to big rewards

Today, Jon and Kory discuss the moments that define careers. The ones where you have to leap before you know exactly how things will turn out. From leaving secure jobs to betting on yourself, they reflect on the decisions that shaped their own careers and why waiting until you feel "ready" is often the biggest barrier to growth. They explore the importance of having a strong support network, embracing discomfort, and accepting that sometimes you need to take a step backwards before you can move forwards. This is an honest conversation about risk, resilience, and why the biggest opportunities often sit just outside your comfort zone. Timestamps 00:00 - Start 00:35 - Taking a giant leap 01:28 - A moment Kory took a giant leap 04:51 - Taking the leap before you feel ready 06:46 - Why Jon made the giant leap to go full time on the podcast 08:45 - The importance of a support network 10:10 - Get comfortable being uncomfortable 14:50 - The risks of taking the leap of faith 19:02 - Sometimes you have to take a step back to take a step forward 22:01 - Are you willing to lose the battle to win the war? 24:42 - You need a high risk tolerance

Why being human can be your competitive advantage

Jon and Kory explore why human connection matters more than ever in a world increasingly dominated by screens, automation, and AI. From the power of in-person experiences to the importance of empathy in business, they discuss why relationships are still the foundation of great leadership, marketing, and culture. Jon explains why he only records podcasts face-to-face, Kory shares why B2B is ultimately human-to-human, and together they unpack the mistakes agencies often make by forgetting the people behind the pitch. Timestamps 00:00 - Start 01:42 - What do we mean by human to human? 05:11 - Why we need more humanity now 06:55 - Why Jon only does podcasts in person 09:56 - What the data says about being in person 11:25 - The power of an in person experience 16:03 - Why experience matters 18:58 - Why being human matters in B2B 22:38 - Human relationships and the impact they can have 25:21 - What every agency gets wrong in a pitch 25:54 - How to be more human 27:33 - Everyone has something going on

Why successful leaders workout

Today Jon and Kory explore the surprising link between leadership and exercise. From CEOs and founders to top marketers, many high performers share one habit in common: they make time to move. The duo discuss why working out often feels selfish (when it shouldn't), how to maintain healthy habits while travelling, and what companies can do to encourage their teams to prioritise wellbeing. Jon also breaks down his philosophy of running, explaining how different stages of a workout mirror the rhythms of work and life. This is a conversation about energy, discipline, and why taking care of yourself might be one of the most important leadership skills of all. Timestamps 00:00 - Start 00:47 - The common thread for successful people 02:37 - Feeling guilty for working out 03:40 - How to workout while on the road 05:08 - How employees can encourage their employees to workout 09:31 - Mile 1: The hard part 11:37 - Mile 2: Rhythm 12:59 - Mile 3: Harmony 14:35 - Mile 4: Acceleration 17:36 - Mile 5: Let it rip 18:30 - How important is music to working out 19:55 - Becoming at one with the run 20:40 - Break things down into parts 23:06 - The two mountains