Cannes Lions has revealed its initial speaker line-up for the 2025 edition of the prestigious festival, spotlighting influential voices from the global media, marketing, and advertising landscape — including several prominent Indian professionals.
Among the key names announced are:
- Neal Mohan, CEO of YouTube
- Sumit Virmani, Chief Marketing Officer, Infosys
- Raja Rajamannar, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Mastercard
- Ananya Srikanth Rao, Brand Director – Strategy, Saatchi & Saatchi
- Anita Chhiba, Founder, Diet Paratha
Neal Mohan, who took over as YouTube’s CEO in 2023, will delve into digital content evolution, AI-powered media strategies, and the future of the creator economy. With a career rooted in digital advertising at Google and DoubleClick, Mohan is expected to offer deep insights into the future of digital platforms.
Sumit Virmani, the Global CMO of Infosys, will share perspectives on brand transformation, digital-first marketing, and global positioning—drawing from his experience in elevating the brand’s presence across international markets.
Raja Rajamannar, known for his pioneering work in experiential and multisensory marketing, will discuss the changing dynamics of consumer engagement and the role of technology in reimagining brand communication.
Ananya Srikanth Rao, who has helped elevate India’s presence on global creative stages like Cannes Lions, will bring her expertise in advertising strategy and cultural storytelling to the festival. Her role as a juror at top-tier creative events underscores her standing in the industry.
Anita Chhiba, founder of Diet Paratha, a platform aimed at amplifying South Asian voices in the creative world, will highlight the importance of diversity, representation, and community-led branding in today’s media landscape.
Scheduled for June 2025, the festival will center around themes including artificial intelligence, digital monetisation, media innovation, and inclusive storytelling. With this speaker line-up, Cannes Lions 2025 promises to be a powerful platform for dialogue on the future of creativity, shaped by both global and Indian thought leaders.
