🎉 Congratulations to the 2026 Effie Collegiate U.S. Finalists teams! These exceptional student teams rose to the top of a rigorous national competition, developing full strategic marketing campaigns for a real-world brand challenge in partnership with @UNA-USA. From research to strategy to creative execution and effectiveness, these future marketing leaders embody excellence. They'll now take their ideas directly to @UNA-USA marketing leadership, the kind of opportunity most professionals work years to attain. This is the future of our industry. 👏 Finalists: Loyola Marymount University - #UNCover & Human Race Teams See you at the United Nations in New York City 🙌 #EffieCollegiateUS #EffieLIONSFoundation #UNAUSA
Effie LIONS Foundation
Education
New York, New York 880 followers
Building a marketing industry for everyone.
About us
We are on a mission to give access, tools and experience to any interested marketing student committed to succeeding in an ever-evolving industry.
- Website
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https://effielions.org/
External link for Effie LIONS Foundation
- Industry
- Education
- Company size
- 2-10 employees
- Headquarters
- New York, New York
- Type
- Nonprofit
Locations
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Primary
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One World Trade Center, 66th Floor
New York, New York 10007, US
Employees at Effie LIONS Foundation
Updates
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Marketing talent exists everywhere, but access to the industry is limited and future leaders still face barriers. The Voices of the Future Fellowship exists to change that. Today, we’re proud to announce its launch. We are joined by the 12 remarkable rising leaders who make up its inaugural cohort. The Voices of the Future Fellowship is a new, fully funded eight-month program from the Effie LIONS Foundation and 2026 presenting sponsor Adobe. It equips emerging marketing professionals with the skills, mentorship, and experience needed to lead in a rapidly changing industry. As Allison Knapp Womack, Global CEO of the Effie LIONS Foundation, said: "Creating access is the key to unlocking the future of the marketing industry. Through Voices of the Future, fellows gain leadership training, digital skills, AI fluency, and mentorship. They also build industry connections that can shape their careers and empower them to shape the industry's future.” The program is built as an end-to-end journey: → AI literacy, content creation, and digital marketing skills through Adobe Digital Academy → Mentorship and curated events at the Cannes LIONS International Festival of Creativity → Paid apprenticeship placements at leading global agencies and brands “Voices of the Future arrives at exactly the right moment as the marketing industry undergoes profound change,” explains Jae Goodman, Effie LIONS Foundation board chairman. “Now is the time to rethink the global talent pipeline and bring rising voices to the table. This program ensures that the next chapter of our industry is shaped by the broad perspectives and bold ideas it will need to thrive.” The inaugural cohort of 12 fellows joins from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Peru, Singapore, South Africa, the United States, and Vietnam, a group whose range of experience and perspective will make the program and the industry stronger. Marketing is strongest when it reflects everyone it aims to reach. This fellowship is our step toward realizing that. Welcome, class of 2026—we look forward to what you’ll accomplish. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/e8hFj28m #VOTF2026Fellows #Adobe #EffieLIONSFoundation #MarketingforEveryone
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The results are in 🎉 We’re excited to announce the 2026 Effie Collegiate U.S. Semi-Finalists! Congratulations to the incredible student teams who have advanced to this stage. Your strategic thinking, creativity, and hard work truly stood out. To everyone who entered: thank you. The level of talent, insight, and effort across all submissions continues to inspire us and reflects the strength of the next generation of marketers. Semi-finalists, this is just the beginning… stay tuned for our finalist announcement coming soon. #EffieCollegiateUS #EffieLIONSFoundation #UNAUSA
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When people like Ivan Fernandes show up for the next generation, it matters. One of the things we know to be true: the future of this industry depends on who gets access to it, and who's supported once they're in. That's exactly what our Voices of the Future is all about. Announcement coming soon. You're not going to want to miss this. #VOTF2026 #EffieLIONSFoundation #MarketingforEveryone
It’s easy to criticise the industry. It’s harder to help fix it. I’m aware of how some of my posts are perceived. → Too direct → Too critical → Too focused on what’s broken Maybe. But from where I sit, the market conditions aren’t great. → Not just for agencies. → For the economy as a whole. Across every conversation, one pattern keeps repeating. 👉 Agencies are struggling to transition. Brands are asking for something different. → Different expertise → Different operating models → Different agency outcomes The gap between the two is growing. Yes, I share my perspective here. But a lot of the work happens behind the scenes. And it’s all focused on one thing: 👉 Building a better version of this industry. 🌀 1. Advisory → backing what I believe in I selectively work with companies around the world that are trying to do things differently. Not just advising. In some cases, preparing to invest. Project Genesis: → Early stage → Now reviewing investment term sheets But simple in intent: If I expect the industry to take risks… I need to take them too. 🌀 2. The white paper → building collective thinking A few weeks ago, I shared an idea. Bring people together to rethink the agency model. It’s now moved from a post to real sessions. We had our first one last week. Different perspectives. Same goal. This will become a regular part of my work. Because the future model won’t be built in isolation. 🌀 3. Industry bodies → pushing for more In my view, many industry bodies have been largely absent. This moment requires leadership. → Challenge → Support → Direction I’ve started a 4As conversation... The role industry bodies can play is too important to ignore. 🌀 4. Investors & founders → fixing where value is lost I spend a lot of time on both the buy-side and the sell-side of M&A. The same issue comes up again and again: 1) Deals get done 2) Value doesn’t For 20+ years, the industry has been good at buying. Less good at integrating. So, the focus now is different. ✅ Better matches ✅ Better integration ✅ Real value creation, beyond the headline 🌀 5. Talent → rebuilding the future of the industry I’ve been working with the Effie LIONS Foundation this year. Helping identify and support the next generation of talent. It’s been a reminder. Of how hard it is to get in. And how much harder it will be to stay relevant. We’re seeing more entry points into the industry. That’s the good news, but the system needs to be ready to support that talent globally. 🌀 From where I sit, all of this connects This isn’t just about fixing agencies. It’s about rebuilding an ecosystem. Because we can’t forget what marketing actually does. 1) We help companies grow 2) We connect businesses to people 3) We drive acquisition, retention, and value Right now, the system that delivers that is under pressure. I could focus on my own position. Or I can help improve the industry. I’ve made my choice. ivanfernandes.me #EffieLIONSFoundation #VOTF2026
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Round Two of Effie Collegiate U.S. judging kicks off next week, and we couldn't do this work without the dedication and commitment of long-time judges like David Maas. Interested in learning more about the Effie LIONS Foundation and the work that we do at the intersection of marketing and access? Visit our website. Link in the comments.
Borrowing a song title from Timbuk 3, "The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades," I feel good after judging the Effie LIONS Foundation 2026 Effie Collegiate US Awards this past week. We are living in interesting times and it was a welcome joy to spend time reviewing the campaign entries from today's college students ... and tomorrow's marketing leaders. Put on the sunglasses! Onward and upward.
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The future of marketing walked through our doors, and we couldn't be more energized. ⚡ The Effie LIONS Foundation recently hosted students from Mount Holyoke College at our beautiful Stagwell office space, and moments like these are exactly what fuel our mission. Increasing access to marketing. Amplifying student voices. Creating real pathways for the next generation of leaders. We do our best work when we're connected to the students who will shape this industry. And the best part? This is just the beginning. Big news coming soon on how we're continuing to invest in rising marketing leaders. Watch this space. #EffieLIONSFoundation #MountHolyoke #MarketingForAll #ComingSoon #Stagwell
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We love seeing this energy from our esteemed judges! Thank you, Magda Pawelec, for bringing your expertise and enthusiasm to the Voices of the Future selection process, and for capturing exactly what makes this program so special. This year's applicant pool represents some of the brightest emerging talent in marketing from around the world. The 2026 Fellows announcement is coming later this month. Watch this space. ✨ #EffieLIONSFoundation #VOTF2026 #VoicesOfTheFuture #NextGenTalent #MarketingLeadership
💡 The future of marketing is bright, and it's smart, curious, and driven. Last 2 weeks I had the pleasure of joining the interview panels for the Effie LIONS Foundation Voices Of The Future program. This year's finalists came from 19 countries, chosen from hundreds of applicants worldwide 🌏. And what they brought to the table wasn't just impressive CVs. It was curiosity. Drive. Big dreams paired with the courage and determination to actually go after them! I came out of every single conversation inspired and energized! I'm genuinely optimistic about where this industry is heading, because the people coming up next are ready for it. Thank you to Effie LIONS Foundation for inviting me to be part of this process — and to every finalist for the passion, energy, and positive spirit you brought to our conversations. Stay tuned. The 2026 Fellows announcement is coming soon! #EffieLIONSFoundation #VOTF2026 #VoicesOfTheFuture #MarketingLeadership #NextGenTalent
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Thank you to our #EffieCollegiateUS judges for dedicating your time and expertise to help the next generation of marketing leaders. #EffieLIONSFoundation #EffieCollegiateUS
Ready to see some effective creativity! Thank you for having me again Effie LIONS Foundation and Tiffani Gautier
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Marketing students: this one is for you! The Effie LIONS Foundation, in partnership with Ipsos bva, is inviting undergraduate and master’s students (18+) from around the world to take part in the Voices of the Future Marketing Pulse Study. We’re looking to understand how the next generation is thinking about marketing, careers, and the future of the industry. And for the first 100 participants: One student will be selected to receive a 30-minute private virtual session with a global marketing leader — a unique chance to ask questions, get career guidance, and gain real insight into the industry. If you’re studying marketing, your perspective matters and we want to hear your voice today. Tap the link in the comments to join the study. #EffieLIONSFoundation #VOTFMarketingStudy
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Our students put real thought, strategy, and ambition into every submission. Who evaluates that work matters. Thank you to Chase Campbell and every 2026 Effie Collegiate US Spring Challenge judge who will bring rigor, perspective, and care to the process. Your standard of excellence helps shape not just the work, but the next generation of marketers. #EffieLIONSFoundation #EffieCollegiateUS #EffieCollegiateUS2026Judge
To be honest, if it weren’t for me being a hot dog mascot for AAF’s 2019 NSAC competition, I’m not sure I’d be here typing this ... So you can imagine how hyped I am to be a judge for the 2026 Effie Collegiate U.S. Brand Challenge. Might need a golden buzzer for the occasion ... Appreciate the invite! Effie LIONS Foundation 📨 🎉
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