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The Young Profesional Academy is a week of bespoke learning programmes for young professionals working in areas such as advertising, brand management, digital communications, copywriting, art direction and marketing communications in general. The academy is open to professionals of 30 years or younger working anywhere in Africa.
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This programme offers participants the unique opportunity to make the most of Pitcher Festival's learning opportunities and accelerate their progress on their career path. They will enjoy exclusive presentations from leading creative thinkers both within and outside of the industry from within the region and beyond.
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Learning programmes at the Young Professionals Academy combines various formats including webinars, workshops and presentations ahead of the Pitcher Festival programmes, which are also available to the participants.
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All participants receive a certificate of participation.
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Academy Competitions
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There are two main competitions open to Young Professionals Academy participants, the Young Lions Competition and the Young Pitcher Integrated Competition.
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The Academy registration provides access to the learning programmes as well as both the Young Lions Competition and the Young Pitcher Integrated Competition.
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The competition timelines have been design to make it is possible to compete in both Young Lions and Young Pitcher.
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KEY DATES 2025
Pre Festival programme takes place online from 10 - 14 March 2025
Young Lions Brief Launches on 14 March 2025
Young Lions Winners announced 28 March 2025
Young Pitcher Competitions brief launches on 21 April 2025
All academy participants attend Pitcher Festival from 15 - 17 May 2025
Winners of Young Pitcher Competitions announced on 17 May 2024
Young Lions winners compete in Global Young Lions Competitions
during the Cannes Lions Festival in France from 16 - 20 June 2025
Young Pitcher Competition
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The Young Pitcher Competition is a platform for young professionals in Marketing Communications across Africa to showcase their talent and craft and battle for continental championship. The competition categories are Copywriting, Design, Digital Craft and Media Strategy. The entire process of the competition will take place online.
Participants must be 30 or less, employed or working as freelancers in any country of Africa. Winners will be recognized as Young Pitcher Copywriter of the Year, Young Pitcher Media Strategist of the Year etc. during the Pitcher Festival in May. The entire process of the competition will be online. Further details regarding the 2024 Young Pitcher Competition will be released in due course. However, we will like you to indicate your interest
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Young Lions Competition
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Young Lions Competition is a national competition which qualifies you to represent your country at the international finals in Cannes. It is available in different categories. You will be able to participate in the first leg of the Young Lions Competition without traveling out of your country. The Global Young Lions Competition is an in-person event taking place during the Cannes Lions Festival in France. So, if you qualify to take part in global competition, you will need to travel to France. Please note that the next highest ranking team will be declared winner of the national competition, if for any reason the highest scoring team is unable to travel to France for the global competition.
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At the moment Young Lions Competition is only available for Nigeria (all categories) and West and Central Africa (Media and Digital). If you are from outside the region and you will like to participate in the Young Lions Competition, please indicate while completing your form and we will reach out to you to see if there is a possibility. However, please note that participants for Young Lions Competition will be responsible for the cost of participation and travel unless this is covered by a third party sponsor (see terms and conditions)
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Competition Categories
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Young Lions Film Competition
Each team must have two creatives of 30 or less and will have 72 hours to deliver their response to the brief.
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Young Lions Digital Competition
Each team must have two digital creatives who are able to create an integrated social media campaign. The team will have 24 hours to submit their response to the brief.
Young Lions Marketer Competition
Each team must have two young professionals working on the client side. They will have 24 hours to submit their response to the brief.
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Young Lions Media Competition
Each team must have two young professionals working in a Media agency and they will have 24 hours to deliver their response to the brief.
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Young Lions Print Competition
Each team must have two creatives, a writer and an art director and will need to deliver their response to the brief in 24 hours.
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Young Lions Design Competition
Each team must have two creatives, a writer and an art director and will need to deliver their response to the brief in 24 hours.
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Young Lions PR Competition
Each team must have two PR practitioners and will need to deliver their response to the brief in 24 hours.
Young Professionals Academy Registration Fee
Registration fee is USD 50 (NGN 85,000) per participant and includes all training programmes and competitions as well as participation at the Pitcher Festival.