LIONS Live 2020
Creative Direction
Creative Leadership

Context
Created in direct response to the global pandemic, LIONS Live was conceived as a fully digital experience to replace the physical Cannes Lions Festival in 2020. It marked a historic shift for one of the creative industry’s most prestigious global events.

Challenge
Amid constant uncertainty around restrictions and international travel, we were tasked with developing a bold and distinctive visual identity in record time. The event needed to reassure, energise, and unite a global creative community, while translating the scale and cultural significance of Cannes Lions into a purely digital format.

Strategic Approach
The priority was clarity and impact. The identity had to feel unmistakably Cannes Lions, authoritative, aspirational, and global, while embracing the immediacy and accessibility of a digital-first environment. Flexibility and speed of deployment were critical as guidance and formats continued to evolve.

Creative Solution
I oversaw the development of a confident and high-impact visual identity system designed to perform across streaming platforms, social channels, digital communications, and live event interfaces. The system was built for adaptability, allowing rapid rollout while maintaining strong brand recognition.

Impact
LIONS Live successfully sustained the Cannes Lions community during a moment of global disruption. The event’s success established a new digital format that continued beyond 2020, expanding the brand’s reach and demonstrating resilience, innovation, and leadership under pressure.