Cannes Lions 2026: AI, Creativity and the Future of Advertising | PJ Pereira, Silverside

Recorded live at Cannes Lions 2026, Justin Cook sits down with PJ Pereira, advertising pioneer, co-founder of Pereira O’Dell and co-founder of Silver Side AI, to explore why the creative industry is facing a revolution and why the biggest risk might be failing to embrace it.

From AI-powered campaigns for global brands to the future of creative agencies, PJ challenges the industry to rethink everything it knows about creativity, technology and the business of marketing. He argues that curiosity means being willing to waste time, that the best ideas can begin with what seems impossible, and that AI could give creatives unprecedented control over their ideas.

But with the economics of creativity shifting, the creator economy reshaping culture and the relationship between brands and agencies evolving, what does it take to stay ahead?

In this episode, we also explore:

• AI as a creative revolution: How AI is collapsing the distance between having an idea and bringing it to life.

• Why the future belongs to the curious: PJ’s case for experimentation, embracing failure and pursuing ideas that technology cannot yet deliver.

• Creativity that delivers results: Why simplicity, repetition and business impact matter more than creating work that simply looks impressive in a case study.

• From branded entertainment to AI: The thinking behind award-winning campaigns and how PJ’s approach to storytelling has evolved.

• The future of creative agencies: Why the industry must embrace AI as its own rather than risk being displaced by technology companies.

• What comes next? PJ’s predictions for the changing economics of creativity, the power of the creator economy and the shifting role of CMOs.

• Advice for the next generation: Why breaking down the boundaries between creative disciplines could be the key to thriving in an AI-driven industry.

The takeaway? The future of advertising won't belong to those who simply keep up with technology, but to those willing to experiment, challenge convention and help shape what comes next.

Key quote from PJ:

“We should all be looking at this as year one.”