The Future Lions global student advertising competition (www.futurelions.com), being hosted by AKQA in collaboration with the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival, is calling for entries in its 2009 competition.
The annual competition challenges students to develop an idea for advertising a global brand in a way that would not have been possible five years ago. There are no rules in terms of media or technology, no restrictions around product or target audience and no fee to enter. Winning concepts will be honored at Cannes Festival on Friday, June 26 in the Debussy Theatre, bringing the global festival some fresh perspective and giving the students a chance to show their work to the world’s leading agencies.
“When it comes to fresh thinking about advertising, very few marketers and agencies put their money where their mouths are. Students are not hampered by conventional thinking or limitations, and it will inevitably be them who bring about the change we’re all looking for,” said Rei Inamoto, Co-Chief Creative Officer at AKQA. “We suspect that this year’s entries will have marketers and agencies fighting for the winners’ attention.”
Concepts can rely on new media types or use traditional media in completely new ways. The students submitting the five winning ideas will win registration to the festival in Cannes, France, June 21-27, 2009, and be honored with a Future Lion Cub, a limited edition toy designed by AKQA, as recognition for their creative achievement. The deadline for submissions is May 4, 11:59 PST.
Upon winner’s notification, students automatically win a customized Flip Mino HD camcorder to document their journey to Cannes. For the second year, Future Lions will also recognize the Future Lions School of the Year for the individual school landing the most student submissions to reach the final round.
The 2009 Future Lions call for entries features a limited edition poster depicting a lion cub that personifies the power of the arts as a force for social impact.