• by Larissa Faw , December 15, 2014

Since advertising is a business of ideas, the industry is always striving to recognize innovation, talent and passion, especially fresh up-and-comers. Now, the AD Club and Google are hosting the 3rd annual Young Innovators Award to honor excellence for the future leaders of the advertising, marketing and media disciplines. 

The initiative celebrates those aged 30 and under who have demonstrated innovation, such as inventing new digital platforms, creating a groundbreaking campaign, a revolutionary product or a new product/company/platform. "Young Professionals are key to our organization, we use this differentiator in all aspects of The AD Club to ensure a strong focus on the future generation of our industry," says Gina Grillo, president and CEO of The Advertising Club of New York.

Entrants are invited to upload a 2- to-3-minute video that showcases an idea that has the potential to "transform storytelling, shake up a business, re-imagine a Fortune 500 company or bring about real action in the name of a meaningful cause." The deadline is December 19. 

The first round of judging will be crowd-sourced, with the top 10 submissions moving on to the second round of judging. Then, in the second round, the jury will determine a winner based on criteria of originality, innovative idea and passion. This year's jury includes Greg Braun, Executive Creative Director, Innocean USA, Peter Corbett, President and Partner, Click 3X, Jessica Peltz, Investment Director at kbs+ Ventures, Lauren Diamond Kushner, Partner and Executive Producer, Kettle, and Malika Toure, Creativity Reporter, Advertising Age/Creativity.

The winner -- announced in January -- will receive a $5,000 cash prize and a special lunch with senior industry executives, as well as recognition at a reception in New York City.

The competition has evolved since it first launched in 2011, either by the selection process, creative campaign or the platform used for entry. As such, the number of entrants has differed year to year, depending on which markets the organization wants to include. And last year, the competition was open globally, so organizers saw a big increase in submissions. 

Another enhancement during last year's contest came from partner Google. The contest allowed entrants to submit their call-for-entry via the Google+ platform, which was at-the-time newly introduced. "We strive to keep the contest fresh and exciting," says Grillo. "This year, thanks to MRM/McCANN, we created a campaign centered on the idea that 'the hard part is done!' and for prospective innovators to enter work that might not have ever ‘made it’ within their agency, company or otherwise."

Last year’s winner, Nelson Rayner, created “Donate Your Desktop” -- now called ‘Little Lot’ -- which was designed to be a smart and simple way for all of us to give back to charity.