If They Cannes, You Cannes: The Monkeys’ Katie Kidd Encourages Young Creatives To “Just Do It!”
Entries are well and truly open for the 2022 TikTok Young Lions Competition Australia, sponsored by AKQA and The Trade Desk, so we decided to sit down with winners from previous years and pick their brains.
This time we’re with Katie Kidd, art director at The Monkeys who won the 2021 Young Lions award in the Film Category alongside her creative partner and coworker, Lizzie Wood.
Originally hailing from Ireland, Kidd completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours), in Visual Communication and History of Art and Design at the National College of Art and Design Dublin, where she achieved first-class honours and a special commendation on her thesis.
Kidd quickly rose up the ranks of the Irish independent agency Boys + Girls and then hopped over to Australia in 2019. She snagged herself a gig at Innocean Worldwide Australia as an art director then made the jump to The Monkeys where she is today.
Moving countries, winning awards and rising up the ranks aside, Kidd explains how entering Cannes Young Lions can help put young creatives on the map.
What inspired you to enter?
Well of course, my constant need for praise and attention. That, and the opportunity to make something outside of our normal day-to-day client work that shows our creativity and drive as a team. Making stuff is nice. Cannes is pretty nice too, apparently.
How have things changed for you since winning?
Externally, it got our names out there, which is important in our busy industry. Internally at The Monkeys, it’s shown our colleagues what we’re capable of and has resulted in us being given even more good briefs. And for me, it gave me more creative confidence.
What advice would you give to this year’s entrants? Is there anything that you wish you’d known when you’re preparing your response?
The simplest answer is the best one. I did Young Lions a few times back in Ireland too, and every year the winner is a so-simple-it’s-ridiculous piece.
When Lizzie and I were competing in the international competition, we had what we thought was a too-dumb-to-win idea. So we discounted it. Then the Gold and Silver winners were versions of that same idea!
Get weird with your brainstorming. Don’t treat it like a client brief. If you have an off-the-wall idea, go for it. It’ll stand out.
Other than that, I wish I’d known that international borders would still be closed when I was preparing my response. Not bitter about competing internationally from my laptop in Surry Hills at all…
Why do you believe Cannes Young Lions is important for the industry?
It’s a chance for young creá́tives to work their creative muscles and nurture their proactive side. That creative spirit is the life force behind the wider industry.
And it’s good for you personally: I met my peers from other agencies at the Australian Young Lions ceremony. Now we’re connected and we’re going to Cairns together on our prize trip later this year.
They’re all really smart, talented people, and I wouldn’t have met them if it wasn’t for this competition.
What final words do you have for the young adlanders reading this article?
If you’re thinking of doing it, just do it! The best outcome is that you win, go to Cannes and get multiple pats on the back and glasses of rosé.
The worst outcome is that you don’t win, but you’ve made something you’re proud of. Which feels pretty great too.
Check out Kidd and Wood’s winning entry HERE.
The Young Lions Australia competition, presented by TikTok is officially open for entries and we’re on the lookout to find the best and brightest of young Aussie talent to compete at the 2022 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
If you’re under 30 the Young Lions competitions are one of the best places to celebrate your creativity. Entries are open to teams of two young advertising, media or marketing professionals.
This year’s competition will cover five Young Lions categories, including a brand-new category for Design professionals.
Get started on your entry HERE, as the deadline for submissions (14 MARCH 2022) will be here before you know it. You can find all the details you’ll need to enter right HERE.
Latest News
Sydney Comedy Festival: Taking The City & Social Media By Storm
Sydney Comedy Festival 2024 is live and ready to rumble, showing the best of international and homegrown talent at a host of venues around town. As usual, it’s hot on the heels of its big sister, the giant that is the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, picking up some acts as they continue on their own […]
Global Marketers Descend For AANA’s RESET For Growth
The Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) has announced the final epic lineup of local and global marketing powerhouses for RESET for Growth 2024. Lead image: Josh Faulks, chief executive officer, AANA Back in 2000, a woman with no business experience opened her first juice bar in Adelaide. The idea was brilliantly simple: make healthy […]
Is Meta’s New AI Chatbot Too Left-Wing?
Meta's chatbot accused of being left-wing after being caught wearing a Che Guevara T-shirt & listening to Billy Bragg.
TV Ratings (23/04/2024): Why Did No One Tell Angela That Farmer Wants A Wife Is Set On A Farm?
As wonderful as this headline is, let's face it, we all know an 'Angela', don't we?
PubMatic Unveils New AI Partnership To Turn Social Posts Into Ads For Any Digital Channel
Here's some nifty tech for turning social posts into ads. Assuming said posts aren't one-star character assassinations.
Intuit Mailchimp Makes A Splash With Its First Australian Brand Campaign
Ever laugh along at a gag you didn't get so as not to appear dumb? Get ready for more feigning with this new work.
GumGum’s Rob Hall: Advertisers Can No Longer “Rely On Binary Descriptions” Of Consumers
If anyone's got their finger on adtech's pulse, it's Rob Hall. He also avoids using the good paper in the office printer
Mastercard Nabs Florencia Aimo From Marriott International
Marriott International's Florencia Aimo jumps from the hotel business to the exploitative credit card one.
Bastion Agency Appoints Cheuk Chiang As New ANZ CEO
Cheuk Chiang takes the reins over at Bastion Agency. But not the rains down in Africa.
Spotlight On Sponsors: Major Sponsorship Wins After A Disappointing Week In Sport
B&T continuing our deep dive into local sport sponsorships & that's despite not a single offer of a free ticket as yet.
Macca’s Marketing Director, Samantha McLeod On Big Mac Chant: “What Was Once Old Is Now Cool Again”
Macca's using the power of nostalgia in latest Big Mac campaign. Well, only for those who've ever eaten one sober.
World Premiere Of Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line To Open Sydney Film Festival 2024
Oil's biopic to open Sydney Film Festival. Here's hoping Molly Meldrum will take his pants down at the premiere.
Entries Are Now Open For The 2024 Brandies, IntelligenceBank’s Annual Brand Marketing Awards
The Brandies are, of course, a prestigious marketing gong and not the mystery tipple favoured by nannas everywhere.
The Fred Hollows Foundation Appoints Ardent For PR
Yes, we all like to have a joke at PR's expense. But sometimes it does important work, like this.
AI, eCommerce & Marketing Specialists Are In Increased Demand By Businesses, New Data From Fiverr Shows
Has your philosophy & anthropology degree left you with nothing but a huge HECS debt? Here's what you should've studied.
Perth’s First 3D Anamorphic Billboard Arrives Courtesy Of oOh!media
Do you love a buzzword? Now you can add anamorphic to the list as it relates to billboards, not a colleague's ears.
MasterChef Australia & Crown Resorts Launch Unique Dining Experience With ALUMNI
A pop-up restaurant staffed by MasterChef contestants! That's fine dining prices for first-year apprentice chef cuisine!
Amanda Laing Announces Resignation From Foxtel Group
Foxtel's chief commercial & content officer heads for the exits. Read nice things the bosses said about her right here.
The Lost Letters From Our Diggers: News Corp Unveils ANZAC Day Special
It's nice when brands respectfully acknowledge ANZAC Day.
Howatson+Company Acquires Akkomplice
Large indie acquires a slightly smaller indie. Much like a shark eating a tuna, just with less thrashing and blood.
Google Delays Third-Party Cookie Deprecation Again
In good news for the sale of picture library biscuit photos, Google continues to tease over the end of cookies.
Education A Low Priority For Aussies More Concerned With Cost Of Living Forethought Study Reveals
Study finds Aussies cutting back on education due to cost of living. Booze & Uber Eats sales remain largely unaffected.
“I’m Still The Same Person That I Was”: Rikki Stern Says “Fucc It” To Cancer Stereotypes
B&T always happy to promote the anti-cancer cause. Even brands that massively overdo it with the hot pink.
The Unapproved Climate Certification Allegedly Causing Mass Greenwashing
Are you left flummoxed in the canned tuna & free range eggs aisle? Just wait till this green certification gets up.
TV Ratings (22/04/2024): Fans Mock “Over The Top” Reaction To New MasterChef Judges
MasterChef returns for its 2024 season. B&T stands by putting peppercorns in Gravox & no one will be any the wiser.
Dentsu Restructure: Muddle, Harvey & Johnston Take Leadership Baton As Bass & Yurisich Exit
A large broom has swept through Dentsu's local ops this morning, taking with it some big names & the air con's cobwebs.
Industry Shares Trends Shaping The Industry This International Creators Day
B&T's asking adland creators to reveal their top trends. And it's not good news for your Jenny Kee cardigan collection.
Mable Extends HOYTS Sensory Screenings Partnership
Mable has extended its HOYTS sensory screening partnership. Vigorously defends its two-star Oppenheimer review.
Orphan Launches ‘They Need Our Help. We Need Yours’ For Children’s Cancer Institute
Anything to do with childhood cancers has B&T's 110% support. That said, we do ignore the red meat & alcohol warnings.
Smile Team Orthodontics & Keep Left Collaborate On Smile-Inducing Campaign
As parents would attest, given the cost of orthodontics you'd expect this campaign to be a lavish production indeed.
Opinion: How Video Calls Neglect Learning Diversity
Need an excuse to duck out of a video call this arvo? Show this to your boss.
DoubleVerify Achieves First-Of-Its-Kind Responsible AI Certification From TrustArc
DoubleVerify receives responsible AI certification. However, not its robotic vacuum that's been seen menacing the cat.
Smile For A Good Cause: The Social Media Campaign Giving Back To The Community
Are you known as the office Austin Powers? More for you teeth than shagability? Get snappy new fangs with this news.
Elon Musk Mocks Albo After ESafety Wins Court Injunction Against X
Albo's 2024 from hell continues - Rabbitohs in crisis, down in the polls and now feuding with world's richest man.
Real Estate Developer In Hot Water Over “Sexually Exploitative” OOH Campaign
Real estate agents again tops in the 'least trusted profession' polls, nudging used car salesmen & ad creatives.
Epsilon’s Shane Hanby: Post-Cookie Era Relies On “Teamwork” Between Brands, Marketers & Tech
This pro predicts more "teamwork" in a post-cookie era. Which spells bad news for the uncooperative or plain stubborn.