Variety and Google TV Partner to Host Two Events at Cannes Lions

Variety and Google TV will host two exclusive events at Cannes Lions on June 23 and 24 to explore the intersection of entertainment, technology, and culture. The sessions include keynote conversations with Carmelo Anthony and will.i.am, as well as a panel featuring marketing executives from Crocs, Instacart, and Fanatics.

Who will speak at the Cannes Lions events?

The Industry Innovators Cocktail Hour takes place June 23. Basketball Hall of Famer, entrepreneur, and NBA on NBC studio analyst Carmelo Anthony will lead a keynote conversation, according to event details. Ramin Setoodeh, Variety’s Co-President and Co-Editor-in-Chief, will moderate the session.

Variety Co-Editor-in-Chief Cynthia Littleton and Shalini Govil-Pai, VP and GM of TV Platforms at Google, will co-host the June 23 event alongside Setoodeh.

On June 24, the Brand Visionaries Happy Hour will feature a keynote from will.i.am, the founder and CEO of FYI.AI. This will be followed by a panel titled “Brand Visionaries – Making Moments Matter.”

The panel includes Shalini Govil-Pai, Carly Gomez (CMO of Crocs), Laura Jones (CMO of Instacart), and Selena Kalvaria (CMO of Fanatics). These executives will discuss how entertainment and cultural moments act as catalysts for fan engagement.

Did You Know? Carmelo Anthony participates in the June 23 event not only as an entrepreneur but also as a Basketball Hall of Famer and NBA on NBC studio analyst.

How do Google TV and Variety view this partnership?

Shalini Govil-Pai stated that Google TV is working to enhance discovery and personalization to turn viewing into engaging experiences. She noted that the partnership with Variety at Cannes Lions aligns with Google’s commitment to streaming innovation.

Sport Beach Main Stage: A Conversation with Carmelo Anthony @ Cannes 2023

Govil-Pai added that the events aim to show how marketers can use discovery and entertainment frameworks to make moments matter.

Michelle Fine-Smith, SVP of Global B2B Partnerships at Variety, described Cannes Lions as the convergence point for entertainment, marketing, and technology. Fine-Smith stated that Variety acts as the “connective tissue” of the entertainment industry.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter suggests that by pairing a dominant tech platform like Google TV with a primary industry trade like Variety, the organizers are positioning these events to set the narrative for how B2B brands integrate into streaming culture.

What could follow these discussions?

Marketers attending the events may adopt the discovery frameworks mentioned by Govil-Pai to alter their fan engagement strategies. The insights shared by the CMOs of Crocs, Instacart, and Fanatics could lead to new ways brands leverage cultural moments.

Future collaborations between tech platforms and entertainment media may increase if these discussions result in measurable engagement shifts. Attendees can request invitations for the Happy Hour event at variety.com/googletvhappyhour.

Frequently Asked Questions

When are the Variety and Google TV events scheduled?
The Industry Innovators Cocktail Hour is on June 23, and the Brand Visionaries Happy Hour is on June 24.

Which brands are represented on the Brand Visionaries panel?
The panel features representatives from Google TV, Crocs, Instacart, and Fanatics.

Who is moderating the conversation with Carmelo Anthony?
Ramin Setoodeh, Variety’s Co-President and Co-Editor-in-Chief, is the moderator.

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