Future Lions winners’ quest for impact

Global student contest reveals generational focus on societal contribution

AKQA Future Lions, now in its 14th year, is the official student ideas competition for the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. The 2019 competition encourages students to break through perceived limits, connecting brands with audiences in new ways. This year’s contest attracted over 1,000 entries from a record 444 schools, across 71 nations.

Despite the socially neutral brief entries from all over the world have consistently revealed a growing emphasis on ideas themed around societal progress, contribution and positive impact. 

 AKQA founder and CEO Ajaz Ahmed said: “The inspiration and motivations of the entrants demonstrate today’s youth is potentially the most powerful, but under-utilised, resource on Earth.”

This year winners are

Apple - Epilepsy Watch Out

Apple Watch is used to detect a seizure, and Siri then provides step-by-step instructions to guide bystanders - who may otherwise feel powerless or afraid - to assist the patient, thus showing the potential for wearable technology to help both the wearer and those around them.

Team: Arendse Rohland, Sarah Peen Andersen

School: Miami Ad School, Hamburg

Vodafone - UR Voice

A necklace device uses AI to recreate the voice of a patient that has lost their natural voice, and syncs this with the patient’s mouth movements and gestures, to recreate the patient’s full range of vocal expression and emotion.  

Team: Amanda Sanromã, Gabriel Gonçalves, Lucas Y Justino, Matheus Valery

School: University Centre of Fine Arts, São Paulo

McDonald’s - Mcfive

Light-based disinfection technology is integrated into McDonald’s touch-screen service points, and customers are prompted to high-five the screen after ordering, which sterilises their hands before eating, in a simple and fun way.

Team: Da Hye Lee, Dong Hwi Jung, Lin Heo, Se Hun Oh, Seung Yeon Lee

School: Hongik University, Seoul

Miami Ad School is named Future Lions 2019 School of the Year, having provided the most shortlisted finalists, including Epilepsy Watch Out. 

The three winning teams plus Miami Ad School were each awarded a Future Lions 2019 trophy, live on stage in the Debussy Theatre at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, on Tuesday 18th June. The creative community VSCO and emerging-technology magazine WIRED are the official partners for Future Lions 2019, and the award ceremony was hosted by VSCO chief marketing officer Tesa Aragones and AKQA managing partner Sam Kelly.