LIONS CMO Accelerator Series

LIONS empowers CMOs to connect creativity and marketing effectiveness with the boardroom growth agenda.

We help leaders harness the power of creative marketing and apply it to the right strategic decisions.

Known as Cannes Lions' premier learning experience for senior marketing leaders, over 500 alumni from 50+ countries have joined the two-day CMO Accelerator since 2013.

In November 2025, the CMO Accelerator will host its first London and São Paulo Editions, attracting some of the world's largest brands for two days of thought leadership, inspiration and networking.

Learn more about the LIONS CMO Accelerator Series and how we support businesses to install commercial creativity as part of their infrastructure, raising its profile and measuring its impact.

LIONS Learning brands featuring the Cannes Lions, WARC, and Contagious logos

LIONS CMO Accelerator Series

São Paulo Edition: 4–5 November 2025
Location: venue TBC
London Edition: 17–18 November 2025
Location: venue TBC

What does the programme look like?

Full access to the CMO Accelerator Series includes:

Two-days of in-person programming in a central venue
Virtual kick-off call pre-event to meet the course Dean – Fernando Machado – and the class
Networking dinner
Virtual check-in three months post-CMO Accelerator
Access to CMO Accelerator alumni community
Invites to join CMO Accelerator Series alumni events
Food and drink included

Get in touch

Fernando Machado

The CMO Accelerator Series will be led by Fernando Machado as Dean.

Fernando is a visionary global marketer who believes creativity drives competitive advantage. Renowned for shaping distinctive brands, he leverages deep consumer insight, innovation, design, and strategic marketing to fuel business growth.

Winner of 200+ Lions, Fernando is the former Chief Marketing Officer at RBI (and Burger King), former Chief Marketing Officer at Activision Blizzard and co-founder of the LIONS Growth MBA.

The CMO Accelerator Series is trusted by some of the world’s leading brands.

Who is this programme for?

To be eligible for the CMO Accelerator Series, you will have a minimum of 15 years’ industry experience; have responsibility for a business, brand or group of brands and/or responsibility for brand-building capability within the organisation - either within the division/category or across the company.

You are also accountable for some, if not all, of the marketing/brand-building strategy and capability within your organisation.

You’ll operate within Latin America (for the São Paulo Edition) or Europe (for the London Edition).

Get in touch

To find out more about the CMO Accelerator Series curriculum and get details on pricing, please get in touch below:

Contact us

Transform your career.

Learning opportunities from LIONS offer a blend of theory and practical elements from globally-known practitioners – leaving you ready to progress your career in creativity.

Learn with LIONS