To participate, graphic designers, illustrators, and creatives under the age of 30, currently working in Saudi Arabia’s marketing and advertising sector, need to sign up in pairs by May 13, 2024.
Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG) has announced the second edition of the Saudi Young Lions design competition. This initiative offers young and aspiring creators from Saudi Arabia a platform to showcase their creativity and talent, reflecting SRMG’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of local innovators.
Registration for the Saudi Young Lions competition is now open. Graphic designers, illustrators, and creatives aged 30 or under, currently working in Saudi Arabia’s marketing and advertising industry, are invited to register by May 13, 2024, in teams of two. The creative brief will be released on May 16, 2024, and participants will have 48 hours to respond. Entries will be evaluated by a panel of leaders from renowned global advertising agencies in the region.
The winners of the Saudi Young Lions will advance to compete in the Global Young Lions competition against top creative teams from around the world in Cannes, France, in June. This opportunity will allow the winning team to network with industry leaders, learn from global creative directors, and participate in inspiring talks and workshops.
Speaking about the competition, Fadi Mroue, Chief Creative Officer of SRMG, said: “The future of the creative industry depends on the next generation continuing to push boundaries through thought-provoking and innovative work. At SRMG, we aim to provide a platform for these young creators and storytellers to excel and think big. This is why we have prioritised empowering emerging local and regional talent by giving them the necessary tools, training and support. Partnering with Cannes Lions for the second edition of the Saudi Young Lions competition aligns with this goal. The success of the first edition of the Saudi Young Lions competition sets the stage for increased participation in the second year. We look forward to seeing the Saudi winners compete against the best and brightest young creators at this year’s Cannes Lions Festival in June.”
This announcement builds upon SRMG’s partnership with the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. In 2023, SRMG became the official representative of the Cannes Lions in Saudi Arabia, launching the inaugural Saudi Young Lions competition and facilitating Saudi representation at the Cannes’ Creative Academy.
The first edition of the Saudi Young Lions attracted rising stars and emerging talents from across the Kingdom. Reema Ibrahim and Shoug Abdullah, two young Saudi women designers, made history by winning the competition and representing Saudi Arabia at the Global Young Lions competition in Cannes. Their performance placed them in the top seven out of over 450 participants.
In 2023, the Cannes Lions Festival witnessed increased participation from the MENA region, highlighted by Hungerstation Riyadh’s ‘Subconscious Order’ campaign clinching the Grand Prix in Creative Commerce. This achievement marked the first time Saudi Arabia won the prestigious Grand Prix, underscoring the region’s growing creativity and innovation.
