OpenAI is actively promoting advertisements within ChatGPT at the Cannes Lions Festival, seeking to establish its platform as a significant player in the advertising industry. The company has expanded its presence, bringing around 60 representatives to this year's event to attract marketers by outlining the potential for integrating ads into AI-driven tools. In previous years, OpenAI's focus was primarily on showcasing creative AI technologies like DALL·E. The shift to an advertising pitch marks a significant evolution in OpenAI's strategy.

SubscribeSign in

Inside ChatGPT's ads push

OpenAI leaders descend on Cannes Lions to pitch the next big ad platform. Also: Snap and Meta court big celebs to endorse their smart glasses, AI news, some people moves, and more.

Alex Heath

Jun 23, 2026

∙ Paid

Hello from Cannes Lions, where the humidity here could suffocate even the thirstiest marketer. This week, I’ll be bringing you what I’m hearing at the axis of AI, creators, and advertising, starting today with OpenAI’s industry pitch for ads in ChatGPT. Also, due to the time zone change, I’ll be sending issues during morning Pacific time through Friday.

Monday morning, in a villa off the Croisette, OpenAI sat press and analysts under umbrellas and misters in the heat for its first-ever briefing at Cannes Lions, the ad industry’s yearly blowout. OpenAI sent roughly 60 people this year. Four years ago, its pitch to this crowd was Mira Murati onstage in the Palais talking about AI and creativity, when all OpenAI had to show marketers was DALL·E. This year, it came to sell ads in ChatGPT.

User's avatar

Continue reading this post for free, courtesy of Alex Heath.

Claim my free post

Or purchase a paid subscription.

Read Original at Sources | Alex Heath →