The return of The Young Lions comp

AUCKLAND, Wednesday: The Comms Council has announced the return of Young Lions Competition in Aotearoa – and secured two major sponsors for 2024.

The release said: “In 2023, the Comms Council took on the role of hosting the local Aotearoa Young Lions Competition. This competition serves as a platform for emerging talents, offering participants a chance to represent Aotearoa in the Global Young Lions Competition at Cannes.

“After a five year hiatus, the Young Lions competition engaged 142 industry professionals, who received and responded to briefs within a 48 hour timeframe.

“The entries were judged by industry leaders, who selected winners to represent Aotearoa at the global competition in Cannes.

“The Comms Council was recently recognised with an honourable mention at the Cannes Lions Representative Awards, highlighting significant progress within six months. This acknowledgment underscores the commitment to showcasing Aotearoa’s exceptional talent and creativity on the global stage.

“The Comms Council invites sponsors to be a part of this initiative.”

New sponsors
“With the 2024 competition just around the corner, the Comms Council is pleased to announce the support of two major sponsors.

“Stuff’s return as sponsors of the Media category and NZME’s endorsement for the Digital category provide substantial momentum for the event. In addition to these partnerships, Comms Council is actively seeking sponsors for the remaining five categories: Print, Design, Film, Marketers, and PR.”

Carolyn Luey, chief digital and publishing officer at NZME, said: “As a digital-led business, NZME is really pleased to be championing an award that recognizes emerging industry talent who demonstrate excellence in digital creativity and innovation, and we’re looking forward to seeing some excellent entries from creative talent across Aotearoa.”

Stuff brand connections MD Matt Headland said: “As New Zealand’s leading media organisation with unrivalled reach across print and digital channels, we’re proud to nurture and support the rising stars of our industry.”

The Comms Council invites sponsors to be a part of this initiative, contributing to the development and recognition of outstanding creative talent in Aotearoa. Sponsoring the Young Lions Competition is an excellent opportunity for organisations to align themselves with future leaders and demonstrate their commitment to fostering creativity and innovation.