May 15, 2019 (Beirut):
Executive Magazine, the country representative of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, in cooperation with the IAA Lebanon Chapter and AA (Advertising Association), and in the presence of H.E. Mr. Jamal Jarrah, Minister of Information, had invited young creatives to take part in the fifth edition of the national Young Lions Print Competition on May 4, 2019 at the American University of Beirut. Lebanon’s top young advertising talent had the chance to join world leaders in Cannes and represent Lebanon at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2019.
Running for the fifth consecutive year, the Young Lions Print Competition challenged 39 teams of young professionals in the advertising industry. Participants were briefed onsite and given six hours to develop their print ad for Lebanese NGO L’Ecoute, whose identity was kept secret until the day of the event.
On May 7, 2019, a panel of expert judges assembled at the International Advertising Association (IAA) premises to choose the winners of the Young Lions Print competition. After a thorough judging process, Elie Fakhry and Melissa Chamoun from Impact BBDO were announced as the winners. Congratulations to the victors!
Elie and Melissa will now go on to represent Lebanon and compete internationally at the 2019 Cannes Lions Festival from June 17 to June 21, having been granted an all-expenses-paid trip, including flights with Air France our official carrier, accommodation, and a full week delegate pass to the festival.
Among the outstanding entries in this year’s competition, Executive would also like to congratulate the 2nd place winners, Amar Beydoun and Youssef Yammine from Mirum, as well as the 3rd place winners, Carine Ayvazian and Anthony Hanna from Mirum.
Speaking at the launch of the competition, Mr. Yasser Akkaoui, editor-in-chief of Executive, said: “Our creative talent remains our only hope. It is imperative to nourish it, protect it, and promote it during these uncertain times. We have been able to work together with the advertising industry in order to make sure that Lebanon is represented in this festival and to make sure that the Lebanese flag and the Lebanese talent is showcased so that the whole world knows how our creative talent have outgrown Lebanon geographically and now is making Lebanon proud worldwide.”
Mr. Georges Slim representing the IAA Lebanon chapter commented: “One of the main roles of the IAA is to promote young talents. Creativity simply needs one big idea. Allow your mind to travel and push the boundaries to inspire the people around you.”
H.E. Minister Jamal Jarrah added: “Lebanese youth have outstanding creative abilities on a national and regional level. They can even be described as geniuses. We need to find a way to maintain this talent, to offer them job opportunities in Lebanon, and to help them contribute to the country’s growth. Our only choice is to invest in them for the sake of Lebanon’s future.”
This competition was possible thanks to the continuous involvement and generous support of Banque Libano Française, the Lebanese advertising agencies, Clementine, Fortune Promoseven, Impact BBDO, Its, J. Walter Thompson, Memac Ogilvy, Mirum, Noise, Pimo, Republique, as well as the Olayan School of Business at AUB, and Air France our official carrier.
Executive is proud to continue supporting young, bright minds in the advertising field as we are firmly committed to nurturing Lebanon’s creative talents and broadening their horizons.