The One Club says NCL is an example of how it looks to improve the industry and remove barriers to entry and advancement by providing this free-to-enter recognition programme.

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 One Club. 

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 organisation. 

The One Club 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.  

Submissions will be reviewed by a jury of more than 70 top creatives from around the world, including past NCL winners, to be announced shortly. The 2025 winners will be announced in late August, adds the organisation. 

The One Club says that along with naming global winners based on the highest jury scores, the competition also recognises regional winners in Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, Middle East / Africa and North America. An archive of past NCL winners, sorted by year, can be viewed here.

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, says the organisation. 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 created its own inclusion and diversity department nearly 20 years ago and has steadily increased programming around gender equity in the workplace," says Kevin Swanepoel, CEO of The One Club. "Next Creative Leaders is an important part of our programming because it identifies, elevates and gives voice to those who are making a real difference, those who are opening the door and inspiring the next generation of creatives who follow in their footsteps."

The One Club concludes that branding for Next Creative Leaders 2025 was designed by Du Nieto, an NCL 2021 winner who serves as lead designer at Revolut, independent creative at dadada.work, originally from Camaçari, Bahia, Brazil, and now based in London. The 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