We know that many of you have questions about the Young Lions Competition; whether it be about registering or the competition itself.

To make it easier, we have compiled some of most common questions that we get asked every year together with our answers. Before you email us your question, make sure to have a look at the faqs below and see if we have already answered it for you.



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Q: Can I enter more than one competition category? (ie; print and cyber)

A: In order to be eligible for the Young Lions competition each entrant and their partner may only enter ONE category (Print, Cyber, Media, Film).

Q: Can I enter without a partner?

A: No. Each entrant into the Young Lions competition must have a partner in order to be eligible. The reason for this is that in Cannes participation is limited to two person teams and we try our best to emulate the typical Cannes experience here in Canada.

Q: Can I enter with more than one partner (ie; a team of 3)?

A: No. Entry is limited to two person teams only, in one of the chosen categories.

Q: Do I have to be actively working at an agency to participate?

A: Entrants into the Young Lions Competition do not have to be agency employees or actively working at all to participate. Students and anyone up for the challenge are welcome to participate.

Q: Do I have to be a full/part-time student to enter?

A: Entry is open to both full and part-time students from any educational institution. You do not have to be a student to register. Registration is open to anyone under the age of 28 as of as of June 26, 2010.

Q: Are there specific criteria (beyond age limitations) that need to be met in order to register for a specific category?

A: No. Entrants can register for any category they choose. It is not dependent on any work or school experience in any one area of expertise, but we do suggest that you enter the category you feel most comfortable working in. It is a contest after all, and entering a category you feel most confident and capable in would be the best option for maximizing your chance of winning.

Q: Do my partner and I need to be employed at the same place, or attending the same school?

A: No, you and your partner may go to different schools or you may be employed by different employers (perhaps one of you works and the other is a student), the partner mix does not affect eligibility or entry, so long as you choose to work with only ONE partner.

Q: What happens if my partner and I live in different provinces?

A: You can work with whomever you choose for this competition, even if you do not reside in the same province or wish to work remotely. However, both partners will receive the competition brief from the earliest possible time zone to ensure fairness to all entrants.

Q: Can I switch my entry category before the briefs are sent out for competing?

A: Typically category switches are not allowed, but entrants of the Young Lions Competition will have the option to switch categories (differing from their registration form) up until 7 days prior to the competition weekend with a written (email) request.

Q: Can I change partners once registration has been submitted?

A: Entrants of the Young Lions Competition will have the option to switch partners provided that they are not someone else’s partner up until 7 days prior to the competition weekend with a written (email) request.

Q: Is there a fee for registration?

A: No, registration for the Yong Lions competition is FREE!

Q: If we entered last year, are we able to participate again?

A: As long as you and your partner are both under the age of 28 (as of June 26, 2010) you may enter the contest regardless of how many years you have entered previously.

Q: Do I have to have the same partner each year?

A: You may choose to work with whomever you wish. You can work with the same partner year after year or you can choose a new one at your own leisure. (Reminder: both partners must be under the age of 28 and must provide a proof of age upon registration).

Q: If I’m an art director and I have a friend that’s a web designer, are we able to team up and enter the cyber category? Or does have to be a copywriter and a web designer?

A: The Young Lions Competition is open to all advertising creatives, planners/buyers and students. There are no specific category requirements or restrictions. You and your partner can enter any category in which you feel comfortable.

Q: I work at a company or agency affiliated with The Globe and Mail (in some capacity), are we still eligible to enter?

A: Yes. This is not a consumer promotion and is independently judged by members of the creative community. Entries are only identified by a number so judges do not know who has submitted them.

Q: Are provincial health card(s) or passports acceptable forms of identification for proof of age?

A: Yes. Any form for government issued identification is suitable for a proof of age for this competition.

Q: I am a Canadian citizen but I am currently working in the United States. Can I still compete?

A: Yes. As long as you and your partner are both Canadian citizens you are eligible to compete. Please be aware that the winners of the Young Lions Competition will be competing as representatives of Canada in Cannes.

Q: Can I enter if my birthday and the deadline fall on the same day?

A: Yes. Eligibility is limited to any individual born the day after the indicated deadline for registration.

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Q: The site says that the briefs will be sent out at 9:00 a.m. on March 27. Is that Eastern Standard Time?

A: No. Entrants will be grouped by category and time zone and the briefs will be released at 9am local time for each group.

Q: The site says that our entries are due back at 9:00 a.m. on March 28 and March 29 (film). Is that Eastern Standard Time?

A: No. Your final entry is due by 9:00 a.m. local time on the required date.

Q: Where can I access the full competition rules and regulations?

A: The rules will be sent out with the brief on March 27.

Q: What are the rules concerning image use with our entries? Are we restricted to using only the images provided? Can we need to take our own photography or can we use online stock images?

A: Images, if provided with the brief are optional. You can absolutely use stock images or take your own if that is what works best for your entry. If you choose to use stock imagery, please be aware that you can only use images that you would be able to license for use should your ad run in market.

Q: Are we allowed to use pictures found using google image search?

A: Since any images you use you would have to be able to license for use if it were to go in market--no to google images.

Q: Can we use stock footage or music that is copyrighted?

A: As with images, please be aware that you can only use footage or music that you would be able to license for use should your ad run in market.

Q: Do we have to present our final submissions or will they just be reviewed by the judging panel?

A: They will just be reviewed by the judging panel.

Q: I don’t work for an agency. What are my chances of winning considering my competition as well as the judges are all from agencies?

A: We have a process in place to ensure that all entries receive equal and unbiased consideration. Once uploaded, your entry is given a number. The judges do not have access to the names of the submitting teams, only the numbered entries.

Q: Do I need to provide an animated GIF for my cyber entry? Can we alternatively upload a static JPG if it’s more appropriate? Are there any restrictions with using video?

A: You can use whatever works best for your creative, although please be aware of the file size constraints when considering video. Please also note that you need to adhere to IAB standards.

Q: Are we able to make the 728 x 90 expandable on user initiation or are we restricted to only a 728 x 90 standard unit?

A: Please just be sure to be aware of the file size constraints and IAB standards when considering all digital formats.

Q: We are being asked to make our final print entries 9 x 11.5. A normal page would be 8.5 x 11. Does that mean that we build it as a 9 x 11.5 and the extra 0.5 inches on either side would get cut away to make 8.5 x 11?

A: We made the size 9 x 11.5 to accommodate different publications. It is easier to size an ad down than make it bigger. Please design to 9 x 11.5 as a final size.

Q: When it comes to the Media entries, will the judges review the submissions as printouts or will they be viewing them digitally? Can we have multimedia elements incorporated within the deck?

A: The judges will be sent the files on disk. They will most likely look at the soft copies, as there will be too many to print. You can add multimedia elements but keep in mind the 3 MB file limit.

Q: What's supposed to be included in the 'creative file' that we are submitting. Does this include a creative strategy? Or is it just the artwork itself?

A: Just the art.

Q: The brief doesn’t specify the language(s). Is it English and French or one or the other?

A: It is up to you to decide based on your strategy. Please note though that the judges are mostly if not all English.

Q: We have some additional questions for the client. Is it possible to contact them directly?

A: Unfortunately no. The process for the Young Lions competition here involves a written brief only. If you have specific questions, please feel free to email us within the 2-hour question window following the briefing and we will do our best to answer your questions.

Q: Can we send three print ads if we want to show a campaign?

A: No. Please include one ad only.

Q: Are we are allowed to submit a written explanation to accompany our entry?

A: Unfortunately written explanations are no allowed. The judges will have read the brief and your entry should speak for itself.

Q: Am I restricted to specific software programs to create my entry?

A: You can build your entry using any software or tools that you have at your disposal. That being said, please be aware that the brief does specify required formats for entry submission.

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Q: Will all participants be notified of the winners or just those selected?

A: Those teams selected, as winners will be notified first. After the competition is over a press release will be sent out announcing the winners and informing everyone about the competition and it’s success. After the press release is issued the winners will also be posted on globelink.ca/younglions

Q: Is there somewhere all entrants’ work for the Young Lions competition will be displayed?

A: Yes. A selection of entries will be available for viewing after the competition closes at www.globelink.ca/younglions

Q: How will the winners be announced?

A: All winners will be emailed on April 26. This year we will be awarding a gold, silver and bronze for each of the four categories and posting all winning entries to globelink.ca/younglions. The gold winners will receive the trip to Cannes to compete in the festival while the silver and bronze winners in each category will receive certificates.