About Next Creative Leaders

About Next Creative Leaders

Who We're Looking For

Talented women, trans, and non-binary identifying creatives who are stepping into leadership roles, this means: Copywriters, Art Directors, Designers, ACDs, newly-promoted Creative Directors and Design Directors (read: less than a year with that title) and creative teams who are doing game changing work and helping change our industry for the better.

A Few Rules

Rule #1: On Changing the Face of Leadership

Our industry has plenty of talented cisgender, male leaders, but this award is for up and coming, underrepresented creatives who are actively challenging the status quo.

Rule #2: On Executives

Creatives with the “Big E” before their CD titles have already proven themselves as leaders. They probably have shining reports to send us, though!

Rule #3: On Previous Winners

Previous winners are asked to leave this round—and the glory—to a new generation of kick-ass creatives.

Rule #4: On School Work

Next Creative Leaders are on the seasoned side. Know a talented creative who still has spec work in their book? We welcome their application in a few years!

What We Want to See

Creativity

4-6 pieces of badass creative work that you helped shape or lead. Work you’re proud of. Work that’s changing the game and maybe the world.

POV

Did you push for diverse casting? Raise money to produce a pro bono spot? Add notes to highlight ways your POV shaped your work and contributions.

Leadership

From mentoring and advocacy to pro-bono or diversity work, include a bio that calls out what you are doing to leave a positive mark on our industry.

Applying as a Creative Team

Great! We’d love to get more teams applying. Just remember that you must have both worked on all the pieces of work you’re submitting; and, when discussing the work, be sure to account for both of your POVs. 


All team members must meet the other eligibility criteria.

What it Costs

Nothing. Next Creative Leaders 2023-2024 is free to enter!

What You Win


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