2011 News Limited Young Lions Competition launches today – six trips to Cannes to be won
The 2011 News Limited Young Lions competition launches today for the best young advertising talent in the country to compete across the Media, Print and Digital categories. Open to entries from each state, the national competition challenges young professionals at the start of their careers in the media, advertising and marketing communications industry.
The aim of the competition is to identify the hottest young talent to represent Australia at the worldwide Young Lions Competition held in Cannes as part of The International Festival of Creativity (formerly International Advertising Festival) in June.
Last year the competition underwent some exciting changes to challenge and prepare the ultimate winners for the Cannes experience. These are once again incorporated into the 2011 competition with a first and second round format across the Media, Print and Digital categories.
· First round open for 6 weeks, challenges entrants to develop a media response or creative solution to the competition brief; these will be judged by panels of industry leaders in each state to determine first round finalists. Importantly entrants in the digital category are only required to storyboard their idea rather than create a live online execution.
· Second Round shortlisted finalists in all three categories compete in a 24-hour brief, simulating the Cannes Young Lions format. Media finalists also receive a 1-day ‘High Impact Presenting’ program conducted by Metta Group. This session is designed to develop each presenter’s authentic style for the remainder of the competition and their career.
· Australian Young Lions team of six winners (two from each of the Media, Print and Digital categories) are selected from the 24-hour challenge to represent Australia in Cannes. They will be announced on May 19 in Melbourne.
Winning teams will receive return flights to Nice, accommodation and registration to The International Festival of Creativity in Cannes and access to all the seminars, awards ceremonies, creative showcases and the Young Lions party. Registration also entitles participation in the Young Lions Zone, which includes ten master classes and interactive kiosks showcasing winning work from the worldwide Young Lions competitions.
2011 is News Limited’s fourth year as the official Australian representative of The International Festival of Creativity and industry participation in the News Limited Young Lions competition continues to grow each year, profiling young talent and supporting creativity within the media and creative communities.
Says News Limited’s group director of marketing: advertising and integration Garth Agius: “It’s no surprise to see Young Lions competitors and winners progress into new roles following the competition as it tends to attract those people willing to invest a bit of extra effort in their own future.
“Each year we’re overwhelmed with the interest and quality of entries. Early enquiries into the competition suggest 2011 will continue that trend. After sending some very strong teams to compete in previous years, we’re eager to unearth new Young Lion talent to represent Australia in 2011”.
Key competition dates:
March 1: Call for entries opens
April 11: Entries close
April 28 – 5 May: First round judging
May 6: Finalists announced
May 9 -10: 24 hour Print and Digital brief
May 17-19: 24 hour Media brief
May 19: Winning teams announced in Melbourne
June 19-25: 58th International Festival of Creativity in Cannes
Further competition details including entry guidelines, eligibility, details of the briefs and key dates can be viewed online at the Oz Cannes website
Entries close on 11 April 2011 with winners revealed at a cocktail reception in Melbourne on 19 May 2011.