Lions Health has launched the 2017 Young Lions Health Award in partnership with UNICEF and “la Caixa” Foundation.

Now in its third year, the competition challenges young creative communications professionals to present a core idea, including a launch event/activation, digital activation and video idea, aimed to be launched on World Pneumonia Day, 12 November. Entries close on 24 April 2017.

Says Gérard Bocquenet, director, private fundraising and partnerships, UNICEF: “The medical sector is advancing rapidly. Creativity can save lives. That is why we need to harness young talent from the industry to win the battle against pneumonia – the cause of most children’s deaths from disease worldwide. Together with our partner “la Caixa” Foundation, we are delighted to raise the profile of the issue on the global stage of Lions Health to make sure that every child survives pneumonia.”

Submissions should work across multiple channels and be scalable globally or locally to generate public engagement and raise awareness of the fight against pneumonia. In doing so the campaign should encourage advocacy and be driven by a long-term strategy.

Says Louise Benson, executive festival director, Lions Health at the launch: “We see time and time again that creativity can make a difference and Lions Health embodies this belief. This competition looks to young marketers from around the world to draw on their creativity to raise awareness and be part of a project that will save lives.”

Says Ariadna Bardolet, international programmes department director, “la Caixa” Banking Foundation: “This project is a great example of the crossover between inventiveness and healthcare. Professionals in the creative healthcare communications industry have such a wealth of knowledge and it’s great to be able to provide young creatives with an opportunity to bring their ideas to a global audience with UNICEF at Lions Health.”

The winner of the Young Lions Health Award will be invited to attend Lions Health on 17-18 June in Cannes, France, where they will receive their award during the official ceremony attended by 1,000 experts from the healthcare communications industry.

Says Mary Ann Belliveau, national director of health and wellness, Twitter: “We’re excited to return to Cannes Lions Health this year. The intersection of technology and creativity is extremely exciting in the Health and Wellness sector at this moment in time. This exhibition highlights the best of the best and we are thrilled to be part of it.”

Communication and marketing professionals under the age of 30 are invited to submit their campaign concepts online at www.canneslions.com/lions_health/.