See It Be It

The advertising industry has worked hard in recent years to create equal opportunities for all. Still, women and non-binary people are heavily outnumbered at the senior leadership level.

Through See It Be It, we’re aiming to change this. Our goal is equal numbers, across genders, across all levels of seniority.

Since 2015, we’ve worked with the Geena Davis Institute to study gender representation in advertising. We’ve also studied representation in terms of race/ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation and body size.

See It Be It is our response to the gender imbalance that continues to persist in the creative sector. Every year, we invite 16 women and non-binary people to Cannes Lions for our four-day programme – which includes mentorship opportunities and private masterclasses with industry leaders, as well as backstage access and session invitations tailored to each participant’s career goals. Since launch, we’ve helped over 100 women and non-binary people from 33 countries.

If you’re selected for See It Be It, you’ll get a fully funded trip to the Cannes Lions Festival, including accommodation and travel. You’ll also get a VIP Cannes Lions Festival Pass, so you can access every stage and session. This is in addition to what’s outlined above – mentorship opportunities, private masterclasses and a fully bespoke programme just for you.

We invite all women as well as all non-binary people to apply. For the avoidance of doubt, this includes both cis and trans women.

You need to work in a mid- to senior position in advertising, marketing, filmmaking, innovation, editorial, design, PR or any other related disciplines.

We don’t have an age limit for See It Be It. If you think you’d benefit from the programme, we welcome your application.

Not sure if you’re eligible? Get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to answer your questions.

Every year, we receive over 600 applications for See It Be It – and we judge every application on its own merits through a rigorous three-stage process.

First, we use a jury of over 40 See It Be It alumni to create a shortlist of around 60 candidates. Our jurors are creative directors, art directors, creative partners and copywriters from around the world, so they know exactly what it takes to get into See It Be It and the impact it can have on your career.

We then invite the shortlisted applicants to a phone interview with the LIONS See It Be It team.

Our final decision is based on the outcome of these interviews, as well as the original application.

Complete the See It Be It application by 8 January 2024.

Applications are free.

We accept applications until 8 January.

The See It Be It programme will take place during the 2024 Cannes Lions Festival on 17–21 June.