May 28, 2026 – Yahoo today announced the Yahoo Explorers Society, its most ambitious experiential activation to date at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Running June 22–25 at La Plage du Martinez, the experience invites attendees to reset, connect, and see how Yahoo is reimagining discovery for the modern internet.
As one of the internet’s original guides, Yahoo has spent decades helping people navigate information, interests, and culture online. That mission continues with Yahoo Scout, the company’s new AI-powered answer engine designed to deliver clear, visually intuitive answers that help people better understand and act on information.
The Yahoo Explorers Society brings that vision to life through a nautical-inspired experience celebrating curiosity, creativity, and connection. Inspired by the pioneering spirit of France’s great explorer, Jacques Cousteau, the space blends storytelling, hospitality, and technology into a destination designed for both discovery and conversation throughout Cannes week.
“Exploration has always been at the core of the Yahoo brand,” said Shannon Shae Montoya, Vice President, Head of Global B2B Marketing, Sponsorships, & Events, Yahoo. “With the Yahoo Explorers Society, we’re bringing that idea to life in a way that feels immersive, social, and deeply human. Cannes is where the advertising industry comes to discover what’s next, and this experience is designed to showcase how Yahoo, along with products like Yahoo Scout, is evolving to help people explore information, culture, and ideas with greater clarity and confidence.”
A Trusted Place For The Curious
Designed as a retreat for the creatively curious, the Yahoo Explorers Society will transform La Plage du Martinez into a vibrant, nautical-inspired gathering space. The experience will feature themed destinations including The Loading Bar, The Nav Bar, and The Engine Room, where guests can recharge between meetings and events. Premium meeting spaces, including Calypso and Atlantis, will provide settings for industry conversations and collaboration throughout the week.
Guests will also have access to a dynamic lineup of programming and cultural moments, culminating in an exclusive Wednesday night concert headlined by world-renowned DJ Tiësto.
At the center of the experience is Yahoo Scout, brought to life through a traveling purple submarine installation appearing both within the Yahoo Explorers Society and on the Parvis beside the Palais des Festivals. Designed as an interactive brand moment, the submarine will feature surprise-and-delight giveaways, content capture opportunities, and hands-on product experiences throughout Cannes.
Delegates visiting the Yahoo Explorers Society can participate in a variety of experiences and events, including:
- The Mindful Morning with Yahoo Mail: A guided meditation and journaling session designed to help guests reset before the day ahead, accompanied by iced coffees and smoothies.
- The Power Pitch with Yahoo Finance: Guests can join Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi for a rapid-fire pitch coaching session, with recordings available to share afterward.
- La Fête du Foot with Yahoo Sports: A soccer-inspired celebration bringing together fans, marketers, and industry leaders for an evening of culture, competition, and connection.
- The Engine Room with Yahoo DSP and Yahoo Ads: Inspired by the three core ingredients behind Yahoo’s data ecosystem (Mail, Search, and Content), this activation invites guests to recharge throughout the week with coffee, juice shots, and grab-and-go offerings. Each menu item is crafted around three key ingredients, reflecting how thoughtful combinations create stronger outcomes.
The Yahoo Explorers Society was created, produced, and executed in partnership with Amplify, the global creative agency specializing in experience and culture.
“Yahoo is one of the most storied names in the history of the internet, a brand that quite literally taught the world how to explore online,” said Lavinia Keller, Creative Director at Amplify. “With the Yahoo Explorers Society, we wanted to honor that legacy while pointing to where Yahoo is headed. Every detail of the space – from the nostalgic nautical design language to the programming architecture – was built to evoke that sense of curiosity and exploration that’s always been at the heart of the brand. At Cannes Lions the industry comes to be inspired, and we wanted to give people a destination that actually delivers on that promise, a place for the curious.”
To learn more and sign up for the Yahoo Explorers Society, visit https://yahoo.evntstack.com/events/2026-Cannes-Lions.
