Each participating company will have top executives lead virtual workshops focusing on a range of relevant topics. For instance, Atlantic’s founders Marco Pupo and João Coutinho will talk about how great careers can be started at small independent agencies. ATTN, a media company that focuses on social good, will be about creators grabbing attention, while Spotify aims to show that there creatives can find inspiration in any brief.
The second new program is Team USA Advisors, comprised of five senior level industry executives—one per competition category—who will share their expertise and guide the Young Lions winners as they prepare to compete on a global stage in Cannes. Senior advertising, marketing, communications and digital executives interested in joining this inaugural program can apply here through Feb. 20.
Tunick told Adweek these programs were put into place so that when the participants get to Cannes, they have the best shot of Team USA scoring on the global stage.
Gaining valuable experience
Barcala and Kapadia took bronze for their short film, “The Lifelong Lesson.” The two had just 48 hours to pull together the creative for the client, Rocket Learning, and they managed to bring to life a tender 60-second film that shows that mothers in India are already practiced teachers through their mothering skills. That earned them the bronze prize in the film category.
Barcala told Adweek that she and Kapadia benefited by being in Cannes due to the many talks, sessions and learning opportunities from creative leaders from around the world.
“Being at Cannes, that’s the goal of everyone when you start studying,” said Barcala, who suggested to potential Young Lions team members to take in everything Cannes has to offer, from the talks to the networking to making new friends.
Barcala wants to get back to the competition this year, since the rules were changed so that previous winners can reapply, but she also has greater aspirations of some day getting to Cannes to impart her own wisdom.
“I want to be there one day and be talking about something I’m passionate about. And that’s something that was never my goal until last year,” she said.
New sponsors
NCM has brought on the first ever travel sponsor of the U.S. Young Lions competition, as Delta Air Lines will provide roundtrip flights to the competitors.
