Australian Young Lions Team Unveils Cannes-Exclusive Creative Agency

In a remarkable showcase of creativity and collaboration, the Australian Young Lions team for 2025 has launched a pop-up agency named Ibis Creative Studio during the prestigious Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. This initiative, which ran from June 15 to June 19, 2025, was inspired by the team's successful campaign at the festival and marks a significant achievement for the collective of young talent in the advertising industry.

The Ibis Creative Studio was established at the Ibis Styles Le Cannet Hotel, where the team resided during the festival, symbolically combining their Cannes location with a humorous nod to Australian culture through the 'bin chicken'—a colloquial term for the ibis bird known for scavenging. According to team members, the idea emerged from the strong bond they formed while collaborating on various projects, sharing ideas over breakfast pastries, and engaging in long discussions about their creative strategies.

"The truth is, this team really clicked—on the long walks home, and over pastries in the brekky room at the Ibis," said a spokesperson from the team. "We were all collaborating, and supporting each other's briefs... it felt like we were an agency. So we thought, why not start our own?" This sentiment encapsulates the spirit of innovation and teamwork that underpins the agency's foundation.

Ibis Creative Studio operated for the duration of the Cannes festival and was dedicated to producing work that "digs a little deeper," as stated by the team. Their commitment to creativity and excellence was recognized as they secured Silver in the Cannes Young Lions Marketing category and Bronze in the Digital category, along with global shortlists in both the Media and Film categories. This recognition illustrates the caliber of talent represented by the agency, which comprised five duos competing across various disciplines including Media, Digital, Film, Marketing, and PR.

The agency's closure on June 19 marked the end of an intense and fulfilling week, with team members expressing bittersweet sentiments as they reflected on their experiences. “We’re sad to be breaking up after five glorious days of business, but what a journey it has been,” the team stated. They extended their gratitude to their clients, including Bee:Wild, Ovarian Cancer Action, and the Braille Institute, for the projects that allowed them to explore their creative potential.

Furthermore, the Australian Young Lions team credited the Advertising Council Australia for their unwavering support throughout the process and acknowledged the Ibis Styles Cannes Le Cannet for providing a conducive environment for their creative ambitions. The team's collaborative effort and achievements during this brief tenure emphasize the importance of nurturing young talent in the advertising industry and the potential for innovation when creative minds unite.

As the dust settles on the Cannes Lions 2025, the impact of the Ibis Creative Studio's establishment resonates within the industry, showcasing the capabilities of emerging talent and their contribution to the evolving landscape of advertising. The success of this initiative may inspire future iterations of similar collaborative endeavors at international festivals, encouraging young professionals to harness their creativity and forge lasting connections within the industry.