Monday, March 2, 2009

Young Lions 2009

Like in the last couple of years Cannes is having an international competition to determine the best young creative teams (under 28 years old) in the world. Last year didn't go too well for the UK teams. In all three creative categories Film, Print and Cyber no pivotal achievements were made. How did they choose the teams to go to France and compete under the UK flag you might ask? In 2008 young teams submitted three pieces of work according to the category. This time the UK Young Lions competition is held by the guardian. Rather than submitting work they've set briefs that resemble the real competition in Cannes. Meaning the clients are charity and you just produce one answer to it and craft it. I like that, it's way more transparent and might make for a more equitable choice of competitors.

Check out the website for this competition. The brief for Cyber and Print is on Christian Aid and the issue of HIV in third world countries. The deadline is pretty close, it's the 6th of March, this Friday. We're working on a print entry ourselves. Check the guidelines if you're eligible to enter. It'll be great if the UK could make an impact this year. Get started.

So what's the brief for the film category, being the most prestigious of them? There's none. The guardian decided to ditch the participation in film for this year instead opting for the media category which isn't for creatives really. Rather disappointing, right?

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nobody can be worse than those two Sloane Rangers from last year.

Anonymous said...

aha, so you tell us this news a couple of days before hand in. You sly dogs you. x

Anonymous said...

thx for sharing, u guys should get pay for this u know..


G

Anonymous said...

Yeah, the UK didn't do well at all last year but I suppose that's what happenz when you send a couple of barbies. They did look great in those thongs, sure but their work was shit. sorry, nat and lolly but it was.

]-[appy Thought said...

Sorry to gripe, Wal but what's so un-creative about the media category? There must be a ton of cool stuff you can do using "media".

Mike said...

I think he means it's a strategy thing or something... I'm guessing...

Anonymous said...

I'm the copywriter for the UK team who went to Cannes in 2007.

I'm guessing I'm no more than a year older than you guys.

But the reason why we won the UK young creatives competition, have a job, a reel with over 5 minutes of film, 8 entries in the D&ADs, 5 BTAA nomintations, Campaign poster entries, a creative circle award and a generous salary...

is that we work our fucking arses off and don't spend all of our energy being a negative bunch of fuckwits on a blog nobody reads.

Do yourself a favor, grow up and concentrate on your book!

Anonymous said...

Interesting decision to post this. While I admire you guys for sharing your knowledge don't you think you have just given yourselves less chance of getting selected. Lots of junior teams read your blog and they will probably act on this news.

Anonymous said...

@ Anon 02:49:00

Mate it doesn't sound like you've had much of a glittering career. One Award? And that's a creative circle.
I think you're been pretty harsh dude. Why don't you stop reading this blog (that no one reads) and get some work done.

Looks like you need to.

Anonymous said...

Oh dear, oh dear. The last 2 comments (02:49 and 02:52) have got me jumping.

02:49 - Get over yourself. I'm so going to find out who you are and try to avoid you at all costs. Urrgghh, your words of awards and your aggressive manner send shivvers down my spine.

02:52 - 'don't you think you've given yourselves less chance' This is exactly the horrible old school hoarding type of attitude that will eventually backfire on you. I bet you're one of those creatives who gets a brief and hides it away from the rest of the department, then gets angry when others work on it. It's a terrible attitude, share and give out and it'll come back to you tenfold. If you're any good, you should have the confidence that your ideas will be better than the rest. It's so refreshing seeing guys like Jai and Wal being open and honest, and working with a smile.

Adam Richardson said...

gutted I didn't hear of this sooner, would have entered for sure.

Anonymous said...

re 02.49

I', an employed creative in a on a top London agency and I read Wal's blog now and then, I know a lot of other people who do too.

I must say you sound like a total c**t. A typical junior creative with a stinking attitude. Heres hoping your shiny CC award is your last.

Anonymous said...

Matt, media can be well creative, but this one is about making a media plan and that's nothing a creative team can participate in.

Anonymous said...

@ 08:00

Now I am in the industry I do not keep stuff to myself. When I was trying to get in, it was dog-eat-dog and I wanted every advantage I could get. Which is why I admire Wal and Jai for sharing and as you say being 'open and honest'. Don't think there is anything wrong with either attitude. Last year at Portfolio Night Wal and Jai jumped in front of people to try and see as many CD's as possible. Is that the attitude that will backfire on them? No.

Anonymous said...

Did you see the deadline has been extended until 13th March?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/mar/02/cannes-uk-young-lions