The contest to choose the two creative duos that will go to Cannes has had a setback. In the first round to choose the finalists, the jury decided to declare it void and repeat the opportunity for all contestants. Here is the official announcement.

That is to say that no duo made it to the finalists. In theory, we should have informed Cannes that no duo won the right to the ticket and Costa Rica would have had to cancel its reserved spaces for the contest in France. However, we have modified the flight plan, it goes again and they will have the opportunity to make it in a new round.

From my point of view as president of the Cannes Lions in Community commission, it has seemed to me a good way out of a challenging situation. The creative product that takes a duo to compete at Cannes has to be of the level that Cannes demands. It is not about choosing the best in the country, but to achieve a creative level that deserves the ticket to go and compete with the best in the world.

So, dear Young Lions, you will have to go the extra mile if you want to get to the most important creative festival on the planet. I recommend you to go to the Cannes website, review the works that win there, measure the level and compare your product. Achieve total intimacy with the creativity that stands out and wins in Young Lions competitions, and don’t settle for less.

We are paying special attention to the new brief and we are sure you will find a more direct and triggering route to a better product. I recommend that you run with the proper code of honor, and that you do not for any reason receive outside advice, help or guidance of any kind. That might help in a passing circumstance, but it will do nothing to your conscience and your career.

Thank you Lilli Gonzalez! Our Executive Director continues to be at the very core and essence of everything that happens, and her contribution is as crucial as oxygen to our existence.

So Young Lions, sharpen your pencils, get a good night’s sleep, get ready, it’s going to be like starting all over again. We expect you to do your best to earn an opportunity that can transform your life.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank again the sponsorship of La Nación. Without their financial support this contest would be impossible. Their commitment to creativity and the young talents of the country, leads them to write an important check that makes all the difference in the world, and they do it without having any direct reason to do so, but from their own conviction and passion to support.

In passing the hat among the agencies this year, there have only been three firms that have supported, and of them, Bosz and Tribu of Grupo Tribu. For this, thanks to Leo for signing up as well, and from our side, we are delighted to be able to help.

We are no longer what we have, but what we share. Others are dedicated to criticize, a few of us are dedicated to do. To all of us, thank you. Young Lions, let’s give it all we’ve got.