The latest tech news crossover with the creative industries highlights a major moment for emerging talent: IAPI has revealed the shortlisted teams for the Irish Young Lions Competition 2026. The annual contest remains one of the most closely watched events across Ireland’s advertising, communications, and innovation landscape, spotlighting how fresh thinking is shaping campaigns, storytelling, and strategic problem-solving.
Why the shortlist matters
While the competition is rooted in advertising, its significance extends into media news, ad agency news, and broader digital marketing news. This year’s live brief was delivered by Emma Sharkey, CSO at Droga5 Dublin, for Media Literacy Ireland, giving entrants a real-world challenge with strong relevance to public awareness and modern communications.
The shortlisted teams were named across seven categories:
- Design
- Digital
- Film
- Media
- PR
- Young Marketers
The range of disciplines reflects current technology trends in Ireland, where creativity, audience insight, and platform-native thinking increasingly overlap.
What happens next for the shortlisted teams
The selected entrants now move to the presentation stage, where they will pitch their ideas to an expert judging panel. Winning teams will then advance to represent Ireland at the international Young Lions Competition in Cannes later this summer.
A signal of industry momentum
For brands, agencies, and observers of the Irish market, the shortlist offers a useful snapshot of where future leadership is emerging. It also reinforces the role of organisations such as IAPI Ireland in developing talent and maintaining high standards across the sector.
In a market increasingly influenced by platform updates, data-led strategy, and creative innovation, the Irish Young Lions shortlist is more than an awards update. For anyone following tech news. It is a reminder that the next generation of Irish creative talent is already making its mark.
