MIDEM CANNES: How to Make Your Brand Stand Out

In Cannes, during MIDEM, meetings follow one another and networking naturally happens on restaurant and hotel terraces. With over 13,000 visitors in 2025, the show has become a must-attend event for professionals across the global music industry.

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The End of the Booth as the Central Focus

But above all, in recent years, MIDEM has been changing its face. Fewer static booths, more hybrid formats, talks, experiences and moments designed to foster real connections. The trade show has become a space where the way a message is told, staged and brought to life matters just as much as the message itself.

In this context, simply being present is no longer enough. What matters now is finding the right angle and the right level of attention for each audience. Cannes, with its codes and international exposure, leaves little room for approximation. Clear concepts, well-designed experiences and inspiring moments of expression are what truly leave a lasting impression.

As early as MIDEM 2025, the booth is no longer a destination in itself. Many players have understood this: what really counts now happens around the spaces — in circulation areas, open venues and informal moments.

MIDEM Agora: when speaking becomes conversation

One of the most representative formats of this shift in 2025 is the MIDEM Agora. Designed as a space for debate and exchange, it deliberately breaks away from the traditional top-down conference model.

Topics such as new business models, the role of AI in creation, and the evolving position of labels and platforms resonate strongly with industry professionals. What stands out is not so much the density of the content, but the way it is shared: short talks, open discussions with the audience, and conversations that continue well beyond the official sessions.

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2. Talks and Thought Leadership: Less Speech, More Conversation

Another key shift in 2025 lies in how talks are designed and experienced. Long, top-down formats are giving way to more dynamic interventions, often followed by informal discussions once the microphones are turned off.

In conference rooms, attention is no longer captured by broad promises, but by concrete, real-life insights. The talks that resonate most are those that take a clear stance, openly share a failure, or tell a genuine journey. Scenography remains understated yet precise: strong acoustics, close proximity to the audience, and lighting designed to support listening rather than spectacle.

3. Practical Masterclasses and Workshops

In the same spirit as MIDEM Agora, the MIDEM Academy area in 2025 offered masterclasses and workshops led by speakers from a wide range of backgrounds, focusing on innovation, music technology and new business models within the industry. You can already explore the masterclass programme planned for MIDEM 2026 here: https://midem.com/programmation

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MIDEM Live: Artists of the New Edition

With MIDEM Live, showcases are no longer isolated festive interludes, but fully integrated moments within the overall experience. Concerts open to both professionals and the public, hybrid formats blending musical performances with conversation, and a programme designed in connection with the industry’s key challenges… music becomes a true catalyst for connection.

This year is no exception. Participants will have the opportunity to see Asaf Avidan, Cerrone, Last Train, and many other artists from the international music scene live. The full programme is available here: https://midem.com/programmation

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How to Stand Out at MIDEM

Creating a memorable presence at MIDEM is no longer about simply “occupying space,” but about designing a coherent experience — one that aligns with your message and the expectations of the music ecosystem. It is a strategic process combining storytelling, staging and a deep understanding of how the event works, from the Palais des Festivals to Cannes’ satellite venues.

This is precisely where Creative Spirit, an event group with over 30 years of experience across major Cannes events, supports brands and labels in designing bespoke experiences that create meaningful connections with audiences — during the show and well beyond it.

Do you have a project?

Whether it’s a cocktail reception, a dinner, a pop-up or a fully bespoke format, our team has been supporting Cannes-based events for over 30 years. Contact us.(https://www.creativespirit.eu/en/contact)