Advertising Council Australia (ACA) has released the briefs for the 2026 Young Lions Competition, with Australian charity Project Planet named as this year’s briefing partner.
The brief centres on Build a Ballot, Project Planet’s free on online tool designed to help Australians identify their values, understand how they align with policy and plan their vote ahead of an election.
Across five categories — media, marketing, digital, film and PR — entrants are tasked with developing ideas that encourage Australians, particularly disengaged and first-time voters, to engage more thoughtfully with policy.
Hannah Sturrock national head of engagement ACA said: “Young Lions challenges emerging talent to apply their skills to real-world issues with integrity and imagination.
“This brief is not about persuasion or politics; it’s about participation. Encouraging people to understand what matters to them and how policy shapes their lives requires smart, culturally relevant thinking.”
Project Planet CEO Tegan Lerm said: “Build a Ballot was created for people who don’t necessarily see themselves as political but still want to feel confident about how they vote.
“The tool lowers the barrier to participation and helps people connect their values to their vote on issues such as climate and housing, without judgment or partisanship. We’re excited to see how Young Lions teams make vote planning more accessible and relevant.”
Entries close at midnight on Sunday, 15 February. Finalists will be announced on 19 March, with winners revealed on 27 March following a live pitch event in Sydney.
