Young Lions Health Award 2016 launched

Shakira

The competition challenges young creatives and marketers to develop an integrated marketing toolkit that will raise awareness among caregivers about the importance of play in fostering children’s cognitive, social and emotional development in the critical first years of life. The ideas will be used as part of UNICEF’s overall communication outreach on Early Childhood Development.

During the first years of life, in the right environment, a child’s brain has the potential to connect 1000 brain cells every second. These connections serve as the building blocks of a child’s future, determining their health, learning ability, and emotional wellbeing.

Louise Benson, Festival Director, Lions Health, said, “We are thrilled to be bringing this award back for a second year. As well as driving young industry talent, our partnership with UNICEF will raise crucial awareness to help improve the wellbeing of young children across the world.”

Jury

A team of industry experts and special guests will judge submissions, which must contain a digital activation, print ad and video.

• Al Race, deputy director and chief knowledge officer, Harvard Center for the Developing Child

• Alexandra von Plato, group president, Publicis Healthcare Communications Group
• Claudia Gonzalez Romo, chief of public advocacy, UNICEF
• Josh Prince, president, The CDM Group
• Pia Rebello Britto, chief of Early Childhood Development, UNICEF

• Shakira, UNICEF goodwill ambassador

Shakira said, “Development in the early years of a child’s life can empower them to become creative, engaged, life-long learners, it can even shape their entire futures. I am excited to join this year’s jury to help shine a spotlight on the importance of early childhood development.”

“Together we are calling on young marketers from across the world to propose creative assets that will raise awareness of the importance of early nurturing care and protection for children’s development. It is a pleasure to work with Lions Health and Shakira on this initiative,” added Britto.

The winner of the Young Lions Health Award will be invited to attend Lions Health on 18-19 June 2016 in Cannes, France, where he or she will receive the award during the official ceremony attended by close to 1000 experts from the healthcare communications industry.

Communication and marketing professionals under the age of 30 are invited to submit their campaign concepts online before 24 March 2016.