Simon Cook
Simon Cook is the CEO of Cannes Lions, the International Festival of Creativity, the most influential gathering in the global advertising and marketing industry. He leads an organization that sets the benchmark for creative excellence worldwide, bringing together brand marketers, agency leaders, media owners, and technology platforms each year on the French Riviera. Under his leadership, Cannes Lions has evolved to more explicitly embrace the intersection of creativity, data, and technology, reflecting the growing importance of AdTech and MarTech in modern marketing.
Last updated Aug 5, 2026 by ATDb automated enrichment
- Years in industry
- 20 years
Bio
Simon Cook is the CEO of Cannes Lions, the International Festival of Creativity, the most influential gathering in the global advertising and marketing industry. He leads an organization that sets the benchmark for creative excellence worldwide, bringing together brand marketers, agency leaders, media owners, and technology platforms each year on the French Riviera. Under his leadership, Cannes Lions has evolved to more explicitly embrace the intersection of creativity, data, and technology, reflecting the growing importance of AdTech and MarTech in modern marketing.
Career
Managing Director
Cannes Lions · prior to CEO appointment
Various senior roles
Ascential / Cannes Lions parent organization · 2000s-2020s
Expertise & education
Expertise
Speaking topics
Recognition
Notable achievements
- Appointed CEO of Cannes Lions, overseeing the world's most prestigious advertising and creativity festival
- Led Cannes Lions through post-pandemic recovery and expansion of its technology and data-focused programming
- Expanded Cannes Lions' relevance to the AdTech and MarTech ecosystem through dedicated tracks and partnerships