May 12, 2026 – The Global Advertising Lawyers Alliance announced today that it will be co-hosting “Cannes Rules!” on June 23, 2026 -- the first-ever day dedicated to advertising law and self-regulation in Cannes.  The full day program, which will cover critical topics such as artificial intelligence, influencers, environmental marketing, and the vital role that self-regulation plays in the advertising ecosystem – is presented together with La French Connexion, the Autorité de Régulation Professionnelle de la Publicité, the European Advertising Standards Alliance, the ICAS Global Think Tank, and the International Chamber of Commerce. 

“Cannes Rules! represents a landmark moment for the global advertising industry,” said Brinsley Dresden, GALA Global President, and Partner and Co-Head of Advertising, Lewis Silkin. "For the first time, we are bringing together the world’s leading voices in advertising law and self-regulation at the heart of creativity itself.  By bridging the gap between legal frameworks and creative ambition, we can help brands and agencies operate with greater confidence, clarity, and responsibility -- ultimately strengthening consumer trust and driving sustainable growth across the industry."

GALA will be hosting a panel in the afternoon on “Substantiation in the Age of AI-Assisted Personalization.” The speakers will be Caroline Bouvier (Partner, Bernard Hertz Bejot), Kelly Harris (Partner, Harris + co.), Geraint Lloyd-Taylor, (Partner, Lewis Silkin), Soren Pietzcker (Partner, Heuking) and Matt Vittone (Counsel, Frankfurt Kurnit). 

Brinsley Dresden, GALA Global President, and Partner and Co-Head of Advertising, Lewis Silkin, will also be speaking on the panel, “Why Self-Regulation Powers Responsible Creativity.” In addition, Jeffrey A. Greenbaum, GALA Immediate Past Global President, and Managing Partner, Frankfurt Kurnit, will be speaking on the panel, “The Trust Test: Environmental Marketing Under the Spotlight.”  

Other featured speakers at Cannes Rules! will include Ludovic Basset (Director General, EASA), Frederik Borestrom (Chairman, International Advertising Association), Raelene Martin (Head of Sustainability, ICC), Stéphane Martin (Director General, ARPP), Guy Parker (President, ICAS Global Think Tank, and Chief Executive of the UK Advertising Standards Authority), and Howard Smith (VP, BBB National Programs). 

“In today’s fast‑moving advertising landscape, understanding the rules and standards isn’t a constraint on creativity -- it’s the foundation that allows it to flourish,” said Pascal Cübb, the founder of La French Connexion.  “When brands and agencies know how to navigate the legal and self‑regulatory framework, they can push creative boundaries with confidence, protect consumer trust, and unlock their most ambitious ideas.  This groundbreaking event in Cannes is about empowering the industry with the knowledge it needs to create boldly while staying responsible.”

Cannes Rules! will take place at the Croisette Beach Hotel from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.  To register, click here. 

ABOUT GALA

galalaw.com

With firms representing more than 100 countries, each GALA member has the local expertise and experience in advertising, marketing and promotion law that will help your campaign achieve its objectives, and navigate the legal minefield successfully. GALA is a uniquely sensitive global resource whose members maintain frequent contact with each other to maximize the effectiveness of their collaborative efforts for their shared clients. GALA provides the premier worldwide resource to advertisers and agencies seeking solutions to problems involving the complex legal issues affecting today's marketplace.

ABOUT LA FRENCH CONNEXION

frenchco.fr

Created in 2022, La French Connexion has become the “French Hub” at Cannes Lions and the meeting place, exchange and sharing hub for advertising industry. Numerous brands, agencies, medias, tech and adtech companies, platforms and professional organizations support this unique private place which will produce a wealth of content, breakfast, lunch and evening events every day all the Lions Week. We will also be celebrating France as the “Creative Country Of The Year” 2026.

ABOUT ARPP

arpp.org

Founded in 1935, the Autorité de Régulation Professionnelle de la Publicité (ARPP) is France’s advertising self-regulatory organization. Chaired by an independent high-profile figure, Ms. Christine Albanel (former French Minister), ARPP brings together the three players in advertising and communication: advertisers; agencies; media, platforms, and service providers across the advertising value chain. In 2021, ARPP expanded its Board of Directors to include a fourth college representing civil society. Fully funded by its members (approximately 800 contributing companies), ARPP works daily to uphold the freedom of advertising creativity within agreed ethical boundaries while ensuring consumer protection.

ABOUT EASA

easa-alliance.org

EASA, the European Advertising Standards Alliance, represents and coordinates collective advertising self-regulatory systems across Europe, promoting high ethical standards in commercial communications. Its membership is made up of 28 independent advertising self-regulatory organisations (SROs), which enforce advertising self-regulatory codes of conduct at the national level, 14 advertising industry associations (advertisers, agencies, media), and 3 digital pure players, all supporting the self-regulatory systems and committing to their principles.

ABOUT THE ICAS GLOBAL THINK TANK

icas.global/thinktank

The ICAS Global Think is a global thought-leadership forum convened by the International Council for Advertising Self-Regulation (ICAS), bringing together senior representatives from advertising self-regulatory organizations, brands, agencies, media companies, platforms, legal experts, and advertising specialists from around the world. As a first-of-its-kind, inclusive platform dedicated to advertising and self-regulation, the Think Tank was created to provide leadership in times of rapid change -  from the rise of AI to evolving societal expectations. Designed to anticipate developments rather than merely react to them, it begins with open, cross-sector dialogue and helps inform the standards and principles that shape advertising practices worldwide. 

ABOUT ICC

iccwbo.org

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is the institutional representative of more than 45 million companies in over 170 countries. ICC’s core mission is to make business work for everyone, every day, everywhere. Through a unique mix of advocacy, solutions and standard setting, we promote international trade, responsible business conduct and a global approach to regulation, in addition to providing market-leading dispute resolution services. Our members include many of the world’s leading companies, SMEs, business associations and local chambers of commerce.