NBCUniversal Showcases its Biggest Live Moments at 2025 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity
With the largest roster of talent to date, a record-breaking Ludacris concert, a packed week of programming, and exciting announcements, the Comcast family – including NBCUniversal, FreeWheel, Sky, and Versant – came together to rally around one clear message: the power of LIVE.
June 23, 2025
At the 2025 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, Comcast NBCUniversal brought its biggest live moments of 2025 & 2026 to life across entertainment, news, and sports.
From the latest buzz in the Bravoverse, an innovative new show on marketing, and an unprecedented look ahead to “Legendary February,” and so much more, NBCUniversal’s fan favorite IP and talent were on full display, showcasing how advertisers can lean in, engage with audiences in new ways, and move the needle for their business.
On the ground, NBCUniversal touted the power of live with news across the company.
NBCUniversal 2025 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity Announcements
Nissan Conciertos de Verano Set to Return to Telemundo
This summer, the ultimate outdoor concert series celebrating the power and passion of Latin Music - Nissan Conciertos de Verano - returns to Telemundo. The concert series, hosted by Andrea Meza, will offer exclusive interviews and dynamic performances from Latin music’s most beloved stories. And presenting sponsor, Nissan, will give audiences a front-row experience on air and across social, bringing fans closer to the music and artists they love.
Mark Marshall (Chairman, Global Advertising & Partnerships) is joined by Seth Dallaire (EVP and CMO, Walmart U.S.) for a fireside chat.
Walmart & NBCUniversal Expand Sports Attribution Partnership
Walmart and NBCUniversal announced an expanded partnership bringing advanced audience targeting and cross-platform attribution measurement to NBCUniversal’s library of live sports programming including the Winter Olympics, Football, NBC, Premiere League and Golf.
Mark Marshall (Chairman, Global Advertising & Partnerships, NBCUniversal) and Seth Dallaire (EVP and Chief Growth Officer, Walmart U.S.), sat down for a fireside chat at the Walmart Connect Space at Le Majestic during Cannes Lions to break down the partnership.
Powered by immense scale and precision, this partnership will bring competitive scale for advertisers who are seeking to engage with the highly valued sports viewer. In 2026, NBCUniversal’s reach will grow to 286M people a month and with 80% of football fans shopping at Walmart, this partnership sets the stage for an even more strategic and collaborative relationship.
Savannah Guthrie announced TODAY Fan Fest onstage.
TODAY Fan Fest
Continuing to lean into the power of live, experiential events like BravoCon, NBC’s TODAY announced its first-ever fan fest, opening the doors for TODAY show fanatics to get closer to their favorite content. The NBC News Group, which is the #1 News organization in the nation, reaches about 2 out of 3 American adults across linear and digital platforms each month. The TODAY Fan Fest will not only allow TODAY audiences to experience their favorite stories, talent and moments in person, but will also demonstrate how a news platform allows audiences to be empowered, informed, and inspired.
Josh Feldman announces Canva’s partnership with “On Brand with Jimmy Fallon.”
Canva Joins “On Brand with Jimmy Fallon”
NBC’s new series “On Brand with Jimmy Fallon” - airing this Fall- is a perfect example of how the media and entertainment company is always looking to redefine what it means to collaborate with brands. At Canva Beach, Josh Feldman (Chief Marketing Officer, NBCUniversal Advertising and Partnerships) announced that Canva is joining the show’s lineup of brand sponsors including - Captain Morgan, Dunkin’, KitchenAid, Marshalls, Pillsbury, SONIC Drive-In, Southwest Airlines, and Samsung - and will be featured in select episodes of the series.
NBCUniversal Hosts Live Programming at Cannes Lions
Leaders and talent across NBCUniversal Advertising & Partnerships, Telemundo, Bravo, NBC Sports, Platform Distribution & Partnerships, CNBC, E!, and more participated in various panels and interviews throughout the week at Cannes. With more NBCUniversal talent taking the stage at Cannes than ever before, the week provided an unparalleled opportunity to bring fandom across the portfolio to life. Read the highlights below.
Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers kick off the Comcast Family Happy Hour.
Comcast Family Happy Hour
Comcast and Sky UK kicked off the week with a co-hosed happy hour featuring talent across NBCU’s portfolio. Bowen Yang (Host & Executive Producer, “Las Culturistas Culture Awards;” Cast Member, Saturday Night Live; Emmy®-nominated Comedian, Actor and Writer) and Matt Rogers (Host & Executive Producer, “Las Culturistas Culture Awards;” Comedian, Actor, and Writer) gave opening remarks at the event, celebrating Vive Le Live! over great cocktails and conversation.
Mark Marshall gives opening remarks at “Vive Le Live with NBCUniversal and FreeWheel.”
“Vive Le Live” with NBCUniversal’s Takeover of FreeWheel Beach
NBCUniversal joined forces with FreeWheel for an afternoon packed with entertainment, insights and a window into the evolving role of advertising within storytelling with Zuri Hall (Emmy®-Award Winning Television Host; American Ninja Warrior; Access Hollywood; Live from E!) emceeing. Mark Marshall kicked off with opening remarks, followed by an incredible lineup of programming. Guests heard from Savannah Guthrie (Co-Anchor of “TODAY” and NBC News Chief Legal Correspondent) in a sit-down conversation with Jon M. Chu (Director, Wicked and Wicked: For Good) to discuss his journey with the box office hit.
Josh Feldman, Jimmy Fallon, and Bozoma Saint John give the audience a preview of ”On Brand with Jimmy Fallon.”
Behind-the-Scenes of "On Brand with Jimmy Fallon"
Jimmy Fallon (Award-winning Host of “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and Chief Creative Officer, “On Brand with Jimmy Fallon") and Bozoma Saint John (Chief Marketing Officer, “On Brand with Jimmy Fallon” and Cast Member, Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”) sat down with Josh Feldman for a behind-the-scenes look at how we brought “On Brand with Jimmy Fallon” to life and what it means to redefine integrated brand storytelling.
NBCUniversal’s Talent and Leaders Take the Stage at Cannes Lions
Peter Lazarus and Mike Tirico discuss the return of the NBA to NBC in a conversation moderated by Luz Corona.
Bringing Back the NBA on NBC
From 1990-2002, NBC was the home of the NBA and this fall, it is set to make its homecoming. The NBA and WNBA will be back airing across NBC, Peacock, USA Network, Sky Sports and Telemundo. At Cannes Lions, Luz Corona (Editor, Campaign US) moderated a conversation with Peter Lazarus (Executive Vice President, Sports & Olympics, Advertising & Partnerships), Mike Tirico and Julie Morris (SVP, Head of Commercial Development & Media, NBA) to discuss the NBA’s return to NBC and how the partnership will bring in new advertisers and viewers alike. Tune into the conversation.
Savannah Guthrie, Jimmy Fallon, and Bozoma Saint John discussing the upcoming show, “On Brand with Jimmy Fallon.”
The Cannes Lions Mainstage at the Palais: The Late-Night Hustle: From Comedic Gold to a Business Empire
Leading up to the fall premiere of “On Brand with Jimmy Fallon,” Savannah Guthrie moderated a mainstage fireside chat at the Palais with Jimmy Fallon and Bozoma Saint John. Fallon discussed his journey of partnering with global brands, building a business empire, and helping marketers achieve high-impact results through the power of storytelling including “On Brand.” Saint John and Fallon gave the audience a sneak peek of the new series, while giving a whole new meaning to ‘live’ with the launch of real brand campaigns following episodes airing.
Mark Marshall joins a panel conversation with Savannah Guthrie, Josh Stinchcomb,and Emma Tucker, moderated by Phillipa Leighton-Jones.
The Journal House: The Critical Role of Advertisers in Journalism
The Wall Street Journal’s Journal House brought together Mark Marshall and Savannah Guthrie to discuss how marketers can tap into the influence and integrity of news platforms.
Joined by Josh Stinchcomb (Chief Revenue Officer, WSJ and Barron’s) and Emma Tucker (Editor in Chief, WSJ), moderated by Phillipa Leighton-Jones (SVP, The Trust, WSJ, Barron’s) the group discussed the increasing importance of journalism in today’s landscape and why brands should invest in trusted news sources.
Alison Levin is joined for a panel with Bowen Yang, Matt Rogers, and Heather Gay.
ADWEEK House: The Business of Bravo
At ADWEEK House, Alison Levin (President, Advertising & Partnerships, NBCUniversal) took the stage with Matt Rogers, Bowen Yang, and Heather Gay to discuss how brands can connect with the Bravo fandom in a conversation moderated by Zoe Ruderman (Chief Content Officer, ADWEEK)
Alison along with Matt, Bowen and Heather detailed how brands can build authentic and loyal relationships with this passionate fanbase, while standing out in today’s digital age to business impact through Bravo’s viral moments on social to beloved celebrities “spilling the tea” behind-the-scenes. Read more in Adweek.
Ryan McConville joined AD-ID partners to talk unified cross-platform performance.
VideoAmp: How AD-ID Supports Marketers to Drive Big Results
Ryan McConville (EVP, Chief Product Officer, Advertising Platforms & Operations, NBCUniversal Advertising & Partnerships) joined Nada Bradbury (Chief Executive Officer, AD-ID), Josh Hudgins, (Chief Product Officer, VideoAmp), and Jessica Brown (Group Director, Digital Investment & Activation, WPP Media) at VideoAmp’s space in Cannes to discuss unifying cross-platform performance. Moderated by Anthony Katsur (Chief Executive Officer at IAB Tech Lab), the panel explained how AD-ID enables a more unified approach to creative strategy and how the launch of the IAB Tech Lab’s Ad Creative ID Framework (ACIF) is unlocking greater efficiency, transparency, and results for premium TV advertising. Read more in EMarketer.
Ludacris performs at NBCUniversal’s live concert at FreeWheel Beach.
That’s a Wrap on Cannes Lions 2025
Throughout Cannes Lions 2025, our leaders from across the company and talent representing our expansive portfolio including news, entertainment, and sports took the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity & Advertising by storm.
NBCUniversal continued its bold strides as a leader in live programming, storytelling across genres, and in bringing brands of all sizes into the spotlight.
Au revoir until next year!
