Young creative minds are gearing up for an event of a lifetime as the Cannes Young Lions Kenya competition takes place on Saturday, March 8, and Sunday, March 9, at the East African Breweries Limited (EABL) headquarters.
The prestigious event will bring together 60 of the country’s most promising creatives, offering them a unique opportunity to showcase their talent on an international stage.
The competition will provide a platform for emerging talent in advertising, design and digital media.
With three competitive categories—digital, design and print—each featuring 10 teams of two, participants will put their skills to the test with just 24 hours to create and present a campaign for an NGO, charity or purpose-driven organization.
Open exclusively to creatives aged 30 and below, the competition fosters fresh perspectives and groundbreaking storytelling.
A panel of esteemed judges, including senior creatives from award-winning advertising agencies and past Young Lions winners, will evaluate the submissions, ensuring a high standard of creativity and originality.
Cannes Lions has revealed the jury presidents, including Megha Dutta for print, Max Ngari for digital and Maurice Wangalachi for design.
As these young professionals battle it out for a coveted spot at the Cannes Lions Festival in France, Safaricom steps in as a key enabler of their journey.
The telecommunications giant, serving as the title sponsor, plays a crucial role in integrating innovation into the competition.
This year, the creative brief will be sourced directly from Safaricom, offering participants a real-world challenge that aligns with a leading brand’s vision.
Beyond providing the competition brief, Safaricom has embedded itself in multiple aspects of the event.
The company will supply a judge from its marketing team, ensuring industry relevance in the evaluation process.
It will also offer title sponsorship, prominent branding across participant kits, and exclusive travel support for the winners heading to Cannes.
Young Lions creatives.[ PHOTO: SAFARICOM]For the victorious teams, the journey does not end in Kenya.
The winners will gain the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent the country at the Cannes Lions Festival in France, where they will compete against top young creatives from around the world.
In addition to this prestigious honor, Safaricom will document their journey, offering them unparalleled branding and media exposure to help propel their careers forward.
This competition is about more than just winning—it’s a celebration of creativity, innovation, and the boundless potential of Kenya’s young talent.
With a five-year commitment to the Cannes Lions Festival, Safaricom is dedicated to nurturing the creative industry through mentorship, training, and connections with global brands.
