When Paula Guevara and Carlos Jimenez were the first Ticos in the Young Lions Competition, in June 2007, I participated as well. Here is the picture to prove it.
Yes, the chicken is me, and what fun we had, because they needed help and I didn’t hesitate for a second. The costume had to be put on. When you have a passion for creativity, and perhaps even more so for competition, if you have to dress up as a gorilla or a ballerina, it’s okay. The important thing is to learn to play until you win.
The creative impulse of the country had a long period of Pregoneros and domination mainly by jotabeqú, although in those times it was of Garnier and McCann-Erickson as well. Then came the Volcano as a prelude to what ended up opening the way to the great festival of the world: the representation of Cannes for the Community (Ascap in those years).
With that great achievement, the opportunity to participate annually in the Young Lions was opened. In fact, it came to the country before with the concession of a space for a Costa Rican duo, made by the organizers of the festival, even without representation or local competition. For this reason, when the opportunity arose in 2007, the Ascap board of directors authorized me to send the Tribu duo at our own cost and expense.
However, since April 2007 we anticipated it with a publication in my blog, where we visualized the way to open the participation to all the young talent of the country. This is a paragraph from that post:
- For 2008, of course, we are already making plans. The idea is to get a space for Costa Rica in one of the three contests, Film, Cyber or Print, and with enough time and anticipation, hold a national contest for young creatives from all the agencies. For now we will have two pioneers, then the settlers will come.
However, the Young Lions in Costa Rica would have a very difficult time if it were not for the sponsorship and patronage of Grupo Nación. With a significant economic contribution, La Nación has not only promoted creativity with the Bronze Town Crier for 30 years, but also finances the Young Lions. For this, today and always, our sincere thanks to La Nación. Last year, the following agencies also provided financial support: Tribu DDB, jotabeqú, Publimark and Leo Burnett.
It would be a dream that other companies such as Teletica and Repretel would join in supporting the creative talent that gives them so much publicity. It would be nice if other agencies would join in with their financial support as well. It would be remarkable if we could all visualize the benefits of igniting the country’s creative potential, and do so unconditionally.
In any case, if you are a creative, designer and/or programmer, are 28 years old or younger as of June and speak English, you have a great opportunity to compete in the country, win the local Young Lions and then go for a medal at Cannes. Maia and Jennifer have already proved that it can be done.
So, today in 2012 we have a new Young Lions Competition. There are already many Ticos who have gone to compete since 2007 when Paula and Carlos opened the gap. Of course, I beg the winners not to ask me this year to dress up as a soprano in a Viking opera, if they need me to? …I’ll do it.
