Building on the Caribbean’s historic emergence as a unified force at Cannes Lions, the ERA Community will host “Culture Moves Markets,” an official Cannes Lions 2026 meet-up celebrating the region’s growing influence on global creativity, marketing, entrepreneurship and the creator economy.
Taking place on June 24th at The Terrace within the Palais des Festivals, the gathering will bring together Caribbean cultural leaders, creative innovators, brand strategists, media executives and emerging creators for an afternoon of connection, collaboration and conversation around the power of culture to shape markets and move audiences.
The event, which also coincides with Caribbean-American Heritage Month celebrations across the United States, features acclaimed Trinbagonian cultural entrepreneur Shelley Worrell, Founder and Chief Vibes Officer of I AM CARIBBEING and Little Caribbean NYC; Delia Barth, Director of Social Platforms at Afar; and Dominican Republic-born Carol Castillo-Frucher, SVP of Sales & Marketing at PrismaIQ, whose collective expertise spans decades of community building, media innovation, tourism, storytelling and brand engagement.
“The Caribbean has always been a global source of creativity, culture and innovation, but too often our creators and storytellers have been left out of the rooms where the future of our industries is being shaped,” said Worrell. “We’ve been a part of this groundbreaking cohort since its inception 3 years ago, and Culture Moves Markets is about expanding that narrative. By bringing together creative leaders, marketers, entrepreneurs and emerging talent at Cannes Lions, we’re creating pathways for Caribbean voices to be seen, heard and valued on the world stage. This gathering is a celebration of our collective influence and an opportunity to build the relationships that will inspire the next generation of creators and cultural changemakers across the region and throughout the diaspora.”
Following the Caribbean’s landmark presence at Cannes Lions in 2025, “Culture Moves Markets” represents another pivotal step in elevating the region’s creative voice within the global advertising, media and marketing industries. The gathering underscores the Caribbean’s growing role as a source of cultural innovation, entrepreneurial excellence and creative talent whose influence continues to resonate worldwide.
From music and entertainment to fashion, tourism, technology and digital media, Caribbean culture has long shaped global trends. Today, a new generation of creators, strategists and storytellers is transforming that cultural influence into business opportunity, redefining how brands engage communities and audiences across platforms. “Culture Moves Markets” is designed to serve as a bridge between established industry leaders and emerging talent, creating opportunities for mentorship, partnership and knowledge sharing while championing the next wave of Caribbean content creators and creative entrepreneurs.
Embracing the spirit of community, attendees will engage directly with fellow creators, marketers, founders and cultural leaders in an open-format networking experience focused on thoughtful, authentic relationship-building and meaningful dialogue.
As global brands increasingly seek culturally relevant ways to connect with audiences, the Caribbean’s unique perspective, creativity and storytelling expertise continue to offer valuable insights into the future of marketing and content creation. The ERA Community meet-up reinforces the importance of ensuring that Caribbean voices are represented in the conversations shaping the future of the creative economy.
By convening creative catalysts, marketing mavens and community-rooted storytellers at the world’s premier festival of creativity, “Culture Moves Markets” aims to inspire new partnerships, expand access to global opportunities and strengthen the Caribbean’s presence within the international creative ecosystem.
Event Details
What: Culture Moves Markets – ERA Community Meet-Up
When: Wednesday, June 24, 2026 | 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Where: The Terrace, Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France
Featured Community Leaders:
- Shelley Worrell, Founder & Chief Vibes Officer, I AM CARIBBEING / Little Caribbean NYC
- Delia Barth, Director of Social Platforms, Afar
- Carol Castillo-Frucher, SVP, Sales & Marketing, PrismaIQ