Credit: Advertising Council Australia
The Advertising Council Australia has released the briefs for its 2026 Young Lions Competition, naming charity Project Planet as briefing partner.
Entrants across Media, Marketing, Digital, Film and PR must respond to a brief centred on Build a Ballot, Project Planet’s online tool designed to help Australians identify their values, compare them with policy and plan their vote ahead of an election.
The brief asks teams to develop ideas aimed at disengaged and first-time voters, with a focus on increasing participation in state elections.
Hannah Sturrock, national head of engagement at ACA, said the competition challenges emerging talent to address real issues.
“Young Lions challenges emerging talent to apply their skills to real-world issues with integrity and imagination,” Sturrock said.
“This brief is not about persuasion or politics; it’s about participation. Encouraging people to understand what matters to them and how policy shapes their lives requires smart, culturally relevant thinking.”
Project Planet CEO Tegan Lerm said the tool was built for people who do not see themselves as political.
“Build a Ballot was created for people who don’t necessarily see themselves as political but still want to feel confident about how they vote,” she said.
“The tool lowers the barrier to participation and helps people connect their values to their vote on issues such as climate and housing, without judgment or partisanship.
“We’re excited to see how Young Lions teams make vote planning more accessible and relevant.”
Entries close at midnight February 15.
More than 200 industry leaders will judge submissions, with juries chaired by Mim Haysom, Emma Robbins, Ant Melder, Simone Gupta and Aimee Buchanan.
Finalists will be named on March 19, with winners announced on March 27 after a live pitch in Sydney.
The five winning teams will represent Australia at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in June.
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