Content is still king.

And the pride of Cannes Lions is creativity.

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5 Things to know

1. Getty Images and Pics Art, a content creation platform made a deal to “commercially safe AI-generated imagery” and create a data model using Getty Images licensing.

2. Apple Vision Pro is reportedly throwing in the towel and focusing on a cheaper version instead.

3. Hurricanes, floods, and heat waves are wreaking havoc through the week.

4. Tesla rival Fisker has filed for bankruptsy $FSRN, the stock ticker is now $0.02

5. Krispy Kreme donuts unveiled a limited edition 'FRIENDS' collaboration to celebrate the sitcoms 30th anniversary.

Cannes Lions goes BIG on Gen-Z As New Leaders Take Reins

The 71st annual Cannes Lions Festival is underway, celebrating the best in brand communication and creativity. UTA and MediaLink are making a big impression. Big boats, big yachts, and the biggest names in marketing made the trip. This year, rallying the top creators.The focus underscores the evolving importance of a working with a new generation of digital creators and reaching this audience through modern storytelling.

AI Emerges as a Key Theme ... and real threat in Advertising and Creativity

Artificial intelligence is making waves at Cannes Lions, with executives highlighting its potential to transform the industry. AI is already being used to create realistic images at scale and optimize ads across platforms. While it also poses the risk of automating some jobs, its ability to streamline processes like sourcing images and mocking up campaigns in a fraction of the time could revolutionize workflows in the creative process.

Takeaway:

• AI is a dominant theme at this year's Cannes Lions, following its emergence last year

• Executives are leveraging AI for image creation and ad optimization in the advertising space. The technology is so new, just last week Runway launched a impressive update to rival Sora.

• The technology promises to increase efficiency but may also impact certain roles in the industry.

The Creator Economy Is Thriving

Cannes Lions organizers reporting a record 12,000 delegates from 90 countries. The sector is currently valued at $250 billion and is projected to reach $480 billion by 2027. As the industry evolves with trends like AI and social media, events like Cannes Lions remain crucial for inspiration, networking, and shaping the future of brand communication.

Takeaway:

• Cannes Lions has seen record attendance, reflecting the growing global influence of the creative economy

• The creator economy projected to nearly double in value to $480 billion by 2027

• The festival remains a vital platform for celebrating creativity and driving innovation in brand communication and dealmaking.

Musks New Pitch

Elon Musk also attended to address advertisers and clarify his previous "Go f**k yourself" comment, aiming to win back ad revenue for X.

Musk emphasized his support for free speech over censorship, stating that while advertisers can choose content compatible with their brands, they shouldn't demand that no disagreeable content exists on the platform.