Cannes Lions 2026: AI, Social & the New Rules of Performance | Mallory Simmonds, Jungle Creations

What happens when a data-driven performance marketer takes the reins of a creative, publisher-powered social business?

In this episode of The Business of Marketing, recorded live at Cannes Lions 2026, Justin Cooke sits down with Mallory Simmonds, CEO of Jungle Creations, just eight weeks into the role.

Mallory shares her perspective on where social, creativity, data and performance are heading — and why brands need to rethink what success actually looks like.

In the conversation:

• AI moves from debate to action — “We’re spending less time on whether or not we should. Because we are.”

• Beyond vanity metrics — why followers, views and reach aren't enough, and how brands can get closer to measuring real business impact.

• The future of social performance — connecting creative, data, media and measurement.

• Speed + creativity — why brands are struggling to balance the volume social algorithms demand with genuinely engaging creative.

• Data as a creative advantage — how Jungle is using 13 years of performance data and its Jungle IQ platform.

• The rise of creators — and why networks of creators can create a powerful network effect.

• Building a publisher-powered agency — bringing audiences, data, technology and creative together.

Mallory also gets candid about ambition, leadership and learning to slow down:

“It’s possible to be productive without being manic.”

A candid conversation about AI, social, performance, creativity, data and the future of agencies, recorded live at Cannes Lions 2026.