Celebrating its 10th year, Next Creative Leaders was created in partnership with The 3% Movement as the industry's only free portfolio competition that identifies, celebrates and provides a global platform to talented women, non-binar, and trans creatives who are making their mark on the world with both their work and unique point of view on creative leadership that’s changing the industry for the better, says The One Club.   


According to The One Club, NCL 2025 judges from the Middle East and Africa are:

  • Nnenna Onyewuchi, Founder, The Barefoot Strategist, Lagos
  • Sands Mathura, ACD, Accenture Song South Africa, Cape Town
  • Enas Rashwan, Founder, CEO, Cairo Ad School and Saudi Ad School; President, The One Club-Cairo chapter, Cairo / Riyadh
  • Nayaab Rais, ECD, FP7 McCann, Dubai
  • Ali Rez, CCO, IMPACT BBDO, Dubai, and 
  • Rana Sadek, Creative Director, FP7 McCann, Dubai.

Individuals are encouraged to view the complete list of NCL 2025 jurors here.


Eligible participants are those who are stepping into leadership roles, including copywriters, art directors, designers, ACDs, content creators and recently promoted creative and design directors with less than one year in the role, and creative teams who are doing game-changing work, says the organisation. 

 

Entries highlighting a candidate's creativity, leadership and unique point of view must be submitted by Monday, 16 June. To make Next Creative Leaders as open and accessible as possible, there is no fee to enter, says The One Club. 

 

The organisation says entrants are judged on four to six pieces of creative work and information about how they — and their work — are pushing the industry forward and making a positive contribution in terms of diversity, mentoring and advocacy.  

 

Along with naming global winners in August based upon the highest jury scores, the competition also recognises regional winners in APAC, Europe, Latin America, Middle East / Africa and North America, adds The One Club.


Each NCL winner receives a one-year complimentary individual membership with The One Club, with opportunities to serve on juries for one of The One Club's awards programmes, and receive a complimentary ticket to a One Club professional development conference (USD$1 000+ value), panels and mentorship events, adds the organisation. 

 

The One Club says winners also have their work showcased on The One Club website and social channels, covered by media partners and have potential opportunities to speak at NCL events. 

 

The One Club concludes that branding for Next Creative Leaders 2025 was designed by Du Nieto, an NCL 2021 winner. Font for the branding – Romie Light Italic – was donated by Margot Lévêque Studio, based in New York.


For more information, visit www.oneclub.org. You can also follow The One Club of Creativity on Facebook, X, or on Instagram. 

*Image courtesy of contributor