Client Stories – Axios

💫 How It All Began 💫

For Cannes Lions 2025, Axios wanted to host an event on the very first day of the festival, right in the heart of Cannes. The goal was clear: create a strong editorial meeting point, mixing content, discussions, and networking, while staying easy to access for guests.

The context was not simple. During the Lions, Cannes becomes overcrowded, with venues in high demand and heavy technical constraints.

🌟 The Client’s Vision 🌟

Axios wanted to structure the day around three main moments, with an ambitious format.

The day was built around three key time slots (breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack), all following the same structure: first, a panel discussion with speakers, followed by a networking session around food and drinks. This required a stage, a full audiovisual setup, microphones, cameras, lighting, and controlled acoustics.

In total, four 1.5-hour sessions were scheduled, each welcoming around 75 guests. After the talks, an open bar allowed guests to continue conversations in a more informal way.

Finally, Axios wanted to end the day with a VIP dinner for 30 guests, in a more private setting.

🍸 The Perfect Venue 🍸

The selected venue, a restaurant located in the heart of Cannes, allowed for smooth organization. Panels took place indoors, in a setting well suited to technical needs and public speaking. Networking sessions after each panel, with food and drinks, were held outdoors, creating a clear contrast and a welcome break between sessions.

For the VIP dinner, a private mezzanine made it possible to create a more exclusive moment, away from the crowd, while staying in the same location.

This choice made it possible to manage several formats in one day, without extra travel or added logistical risk.

💬 Results & Feedback 💬

The event ran smoothly despite a demanding format. The talks found their rhythm, transitions between content and networking worked well, and the overall experience was seen as clear and pleasant by guests.

Axios successfully delivered a dense but well-executed format, exactly what was needed in a context as intense as Cannes Lions.