For one week every June, the south of France becomes the center of advertising, sports, technology, and cultural conversations. Again, this year, SKDK and Jasper Advisors were right in the middle of it.
SKDK CEO Doug Thornell joined PR Week for a special Cannes Lions episode, where industry leaders discussed why showing up at Cannes matters and their takeaways. Thornell’s point was simple: strong communications start with a strong story. At SKDK, that means using research and data to shape a core narrative, then bringing that story to life wherever audiences spend their time, whether that is sports, culture, AI, or media. This theme surfaced again and again throughout the week.
Thornell met with Jasper Advisors CEO Julie Andreeff Jensen to discuss the newly launched SPORT BEACH Women’s Leadership Council, created to address the shortage of women coaches and build a stronger pipeline into sports leadership. The conversation covered the professionalization of women’s sports, rising team valuations, and how SKDK and Jasper help clients navigate stadium deals, business shifts, and leadership transitions. They closed on the growing role of athletes as advocates using their platforms to drive social change while building personal brands on their own terms.
A well-told story works the same way whether it’s reaching a boardroom, a locker room, or a living room.