Jury President's Revelations at the Cannes Lions Festival in 2025
Published on July 15, 2025, at 08:57 AM IST
As the sun rose over the French Riviera, the air at Cannes Lions 2025 buzzed with a unique energy. Josy Paul, chairperson and CCO of BBDO India and jury president at the festival, took the stage to deliver a passionate speech on the transformative power of empathy in creativity.
Paul emphasised that empathy is not just a feeling but a means to facilitate social accountability, authenticity, and collective action. He articulated that empathy in creativity enables a deeper emotional and intuitive connection with creative work, encourages authentic storytelling, and leads to campaigns that drive real, accountable social impact.
The jury's evaluation process at Cannes Lions 2025 was deeply empathetic and intuitive, moving away from rigid expertise towards a space of emotional connection. Paul, in his role as jury president, framed himself as a "lover" of creativity, driven by wonder, curiosity, intuition, and emotion, rather than just rational analysis. This empathetic posture allowed the jury to truly "live with the work" and understand its intent, fostering an environment of sincere engagement rather than superficial judgment.
Paul also highlighted the importance of co-authoring narratives with marginalized voices. He noted that the most impactful campaigns were those that demonstrated empathy by elevating these voices, showing humility and authentic partnership. Empathy led to intersectional stories that addressed interconnected social issues and drove real-world outcomes such as policy change and behavioral shifts.
The author, who was present at the festival, felt the work, the intent, and the jury's thoughts, pauses, and excitement. They published an article about their experience on their website, offering readers a glimpse into the heart of Cannes Lions 2025. The article can be found on their website or accessed through the mobile app.
The author's realisation at Cannes Lions 2025 was that they are not an expert in the field. Instead, they are a lover, led by wonder, curiosity, intuition, and emotion. This realisation has inspired them to approach their work with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of the transformative power of empathy in creativity.
In addition to the focus on empathy, Cannes Lions 2025 also highlighted the importance of sustainability and the role of technology in driving social change. The festival featured discussions on Amazon, Spotify, and SDG Lions, among others. The author's article provides insights into these discussions and offers a comprehensive overview of the festival.
The author is in love with the business of creativity and invites readers to join their community of over 2M industry professionals. Subscribing to the website's newsletter provides the latest insights and analysis, while the website's app offers access to all content right on a smartphone. Commenting on the website implies agreement to the Prohibited Content Policy. Users can also save their favourite articles for future reference on the website's app.
In conclusion, Cannes Lions 2025 was a celebration of empathy in creativity, reflecting a global creative shift where purpose and sincere human connection are the baseline for impactful creativity. The festival was more than just a competition; it was a platform for collective action, a space for emotional connection, and a testament to the power of empathy in driving real, accountable social change.
- The author, inspired by their experience at Cannes Lions 2025, is now approaching their work with an empathetic outlook, driven by wonder, curiosity, intuition, and emotion – just like the jury president, Josy Paul.
- Technology was a significant focus at Cannes Lions 2025, with discussions on the roles of companies like Amazon and Spotify in driving social change.
- In her article about Cannes Lions 2025, the author provides insights not only into the festival's focus on empathy but also tech-driven sustainable initiatives, such as SDG Lions.
