Young Lions Competition Finalists Named For 2025

Advertising Council Australia (ACA) has today announced the 2025 Young Lions Competition finalists – rising stars who are now one step closer to representing Australia on the global stage in Cannes.

This year’s competition saw hundreds of competitors across media, digital, film, PR, and marketing categories rapidly respond to a brief for Saveful, a free, award-winning sustainability app that helps Australians save money, food and time.

Tony Hale, CEO, ACA, said, “Young Lions is the world’s premier platform for emerging talent, and this year’s entrants have set the bar high. With over 125 industry leaders recruited to judge entries, including our esteemed Jury Chairs, our finalists represent Australia’s brightest creative minds. We wish them every success in the next stage of the competition.”

2025 finalists

Media – presented by jury chair Imogen Hewitt, chief media officer, Publicis Groupe ANZ. Sponsored by Powered by Nine.
• Callum Was & Nic Molyneux – Thinkerbell
• Hunter Franks & Piper Di Mattina – Wavemaker (OpenDoor)
• Elizabeth Nan Tie & Tayla Orr – Nine

Marketing - presented by jury chair Jenni Dill, CMO, The Arnott’s Group & Chair, AANA.
• Elyse Killingback & Kinza Memon – AMP
• Keira Spencer & Jenney Kim – Google Australia
• Elyssa Berry & Daniella Popovic – JCDecaux

Digital – presented by jury chair Seamus Higgins, chief creative officer, R/GA Australia. Sponsored by Meta.
• Jenny Fang & Lara Smith – Ogilvy Melbourne
• Marcus Fisher & Kait Polkinghorne
• Amy Morrison & Laura Murphy – M+C Saatchi

Film – presented by jury chair Tara Ford, CCO, Droga5. Sponsored by Val Morgan.
• Loz Maneschi & Lewis Clark – Cocogun
• Lachlan Wills & Isabella Antonacci – Gemba
• Georgia Rankin & Olivia Altavilla – The Producers

PR - presented by jury chair James Wright, global chairman, HAVAS PR Global Network & Group CEO, HAVAS Creative ANZ
• Christina Nguyen & Josh Camilleri – Eleven/TBWA Sydney
• Rory Moore & Phoenix Santamaria – DDB Group Australia
• Annabel Begeng & Lily Lazzarotti – Thinkerbell

Mike Chuter, co-founder, Saveful, said, “Young Lions is a fantastic platform for emerging talent to tackle real business challenges, and we’re proud that Saveful is this year’s briefing partner. Creativity has a huge role to play in driving sustainable change, and we look forward to seeing how these talented young minds continue to push boundaries.”

Young Lions Australia is proudly sponsored by Meta, Nine and Val Morgan and supported by the AANA, MFA and IAB Australia.