LIA Creative LIAisons Virtual Coaching Program kicks off by pairing 250 emerging talents with global industry luminaries
As an awards show that believes in supporting up-and-coming young creatives, LIA knows that the best coaches bring out the best in their mentees. Since its Creative LIAisons Virtual Coaching program began in 2021, this global, educational program for emerging talent, has paired over 1500 mentees with over 1500 coaches, who are the leading practitioners and professionals in the industry. Young creatives have developed professionally, expanded their perspectives and developed long-term supportive relationships with their coaches from this program.
Each year, Campaign Brief selects one or two young creatives from the CB New Zealand and Australian Agencies of the Year to participate in the Creative LIAisons Virtual Coaching program, alongside over 250 rising stars from around the world. Nicholas Warrand (below left), Junior Copywriter, Clemenger BBDO, Sydney (formerly DDB Australia) and Faith Waraki (below right), Junior Copywriter, McCann New Zealand (formerly DDB New Zealand) will be joining the highly sought-after Creative LIAisons Virtual Coaching Program featuring one-to-one coaching sessions with some of the best ‘Creative Coaches’ from around the world.
Other virtual coaching program participants from Australia and New Zealand include:
William Loveder, Creative, Howatson+Company
Anna Charisiou, Lead Tinker (Creative, Copywriter), Thinkerbell
Oska Meyer, Junior Creative, Motion Sickness, Auckland
Michael Ukwu, Junior Creative, Motion Sickness, Auckland
Amy Toma, Visual Designer, R/GA
Sophie Harper, Copywriter, Saatchi & Saatchi
Alvin Zhong, Art Director, Saatchi & Saatchi
“Finding a mentor is one of the best things anyone can do for their career,” says Laurissa Levy, Creative LIAisons & Global Initiatives Director of LIA. “This is especially true when you are in the early stage of your career. There are many people who will give you good advice, but it is important to find people who can give you the support and guidance you need in the particular area that is specific to you and your needs. We pair each mentee with three coaches. This is to give the mentees exposure to varied viewpoints and personalities. Each mentor brings to the table a different set of skills and experience that they can pass on personally to their mentee.”
To see the legacy of talent that has come through the Creative LIAisons program via Campaign Brief since 2012, click here.
To help them find the right coaches, each mentee is asked to read the bios of all of LIA’s coaches and provide LIA with their wish-list. Each coaching session is customized between coach and mentee, based on the goals, interests and needs of the mentee. This helps curate a more bespoke program and finds the right fit in terms of experience and background. Each mentoring session fosters lasting connections building long-term relationships and respect.
Mentoring goes back more than 2,400 years ago. Socrates mentored Plato who then mentored Aristotle. They were the three philosophers who built the bedrock of Western philosophy – each advancing the idea of his mentor before him.
The Creative LIAisons program features an elite line-up of world-class creatives and industry titans. Here’s what some of LIA’s coaches had to say:
Thomas Mueller, Chief Design Officer, Accenture Song Europe, Munich
“I am delighted to return as a LIAisons Creative coach once again in 2026. I strongly support LIA, because of their unique commitment to the next generation of creatives through their Creative LIAisons program. It is a wonderful platform to share from decades of experience, while at the same time receive reverse mentoring through the exchange. Simply rewarding and inspiring.”
Anthony Chelvanathan, Chief Creative Officer, Canada | Global Creative Partner, Edelman Canada, Toronto
“It’s invaluable for young people to gain access to some of the most brilliant minds in our business – and that too at an international level. Without LIAisons, that access would be very hard to come by. Having participated as a mentor in years past, I can also say that the creative exchange is mutually beneficial. The energy and fresh thinking I see from young creatives reminds me that our business is fun and that the work will always be better when the people creating it remain joyful and curious.”
Bianca Guimaraes, Executive Creative Director + Partner, Mischief, Brooklyn
“Creative LIAisons has a real, lasting impact on young talent because it gives them something invaluable early on: access, perspective, and confidence. It helps creatives see the path forward more clearly and move faster with intention. From the mentor side, it’s equally energizing. Being part of conversations that are honest, curious, and generous is a reminder that this industry only stays interesting if we keep investing in the next wave. ”
Camila Nakagawa, Global Executive Vice President, Havas Prose On Pixels, London
“Supporting the next generation of talent is one of the most energizing parts of what we do, because growth is never one-way — we all evolve through it. The Creative LIAisons program stands out by turning intention into action, creating a REAL space to develop talent and shape where our industry is heading. Being selected as a Coach is both an honor and a responsibility — a reminder that we’re not here to witness the future of the industry, we’re here to build it.”
The responses from the 2026 virtual mentees have also been very encouraging as they appreciate how being a part of, arguably, one of the best mentoring programs can help accelerate their progress as they navigate the changing landscape of the industry.
Giulia Ranza, Senior Copywriter, M+C Saatchi Group Europe, Milan
“In a world teetering on the edge of frantic, automated creativity, young creatives are faced with a question: ‘How do I break the mold?’ I’m so happy to get the chance to meet some of the world’s best creative leaders to tap into their knowledge, experience and advice, exploring this question and the many others defining the future of advertising and creativity.”
Sohyeon Bang, Senior Art Director, Machine, Cape Town
“I’ve been thinking about how the creative industry has never had more information and inspiration, which is great. But if creatives really want to boost their confidence and fast-track their careers, they need more than information. They need real exposure, access, and opportunity. That’s why being selected as a mentee is so meaningful because I believe that LIAisons creates exactly that, with opportunities funded by LIA. I’m so excited to learn from and chat to some of the most talented and awarded people in the industry globally. Because when else might I get the chance to speak to an agency I admire like Rethink!”
Fabricio Lisboa, Strategist, ENERGY BBDO / ALMAPBBDO, São Paulo
“Being selected for LIAisons is a chance to accelerate my thinking alongside people who have shaped the industry. I’ll show up curious, question everything I can, and push my own perspective as far as possible. The goal is to turn those exchanges into work that doesn’t just follow the industry, but helps move it forward.”
Yilin Zhang, Integrated Creative (Copywriting & Design), Dentsu Inc., Tokyo
“I am incredibly excited to join the Creative LIAisons program and connect with the world’s top creative minds. This is a unique opportunity to gain new perspectives and push my creative boundaries to the next level.”
Some of our Creative LIAisons alumni turned coaches said the following:
Ricardo Wolff, Executive Creative Director, Innocean Berlin
“There’s a simple reason I’m committed to being a LIAison coach year on year: LIA was once my coach. Back in 2012, I was lucky enough to be part of their first batch of LIAisons, and the experience made a lasting impact on me. The people I’ve met (both jurors and other LIAisons), along with the learnings from all workshops and lectures, were big highlights of my years as a junior creative. So, the least I can do is to free up some time to pass on the experience I’ve gathered since then, and, of course, meet the fresh new brains arriving in the industry.”
Janath Gamage, Creative Director, Ogilvy Singapore & WPP – Unilever, Singapore
“Few programs in our industry play as vital a role in shaping the next generation. As a mentee at the LIAisons program, there was a pivotal moment in my own journey. The important guidance I received through this program from mentors I only would have dreamed of at that point, helped me see possibility again. Returning now as a coach is an absolute honor and a full-circle moment, and I only hope to support the next generation the way this program once supported me.”
Pablo Tesio, Creative Content Director, VML, Dubai
“Creative LIAisons was one of the most valuable experiences of my early career. It connected me with brilliant minds around the world and reminded me that creativity grows through generosity and exchange. Coming back now as a coach feels like closing a circle, and opening the door for the next generation to challenge, question, and push the craft forward.”
The countdown to LIA 2026 is well underway, with a 20% entry discount available until June 30. As the deadline approaches, this year’s awards introduce six new categories, giving entrants even more opportunities to showcase their work on the global stage – where even Finalists earn worldwide recognition.
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