JACK: A few weeks later, the news broke: we were Cairns Hatchlings finalists. We were instantly rich and famous. Without the money or the recognition. A few more weeks later, and we found ourselves hanging loose in the tropics for Cairns Crocodiles 2025. Our first night on tour was a canape-style welcome dinner with the other very talented Hatchlings, industry greats and B&T organisers. Conversations \u2013 stimulating. Beers \u2013 cold. Net \u2013 working.<\/p>\n
JACK: After a restful slumber and a call from the town cockerel, we were up and in the briefing room to learn our fate for the next 24 hours. Our live briefing was hosted by B&T, and we were introduced to our client, Christine Amour-Levar from Women On A Mission (WOAM). We were tasked with crafting an audio campaign that attracted C-Suite women to charity-raising international challenges. OK.<\/p>\n
MEG: The following 24 hours looked like this: coffee, brainstorm, choose idea, roll with idea, coffee, hate idea, bin idea, brainstorm, pick new idea, lunch, coffee, write scripts, cast voice talent, coffee, build audio, record audio (some of which in our makeshift studio AKA the hotel cupboard), doubt everything, coffee, push on, build presso, gnocchi in a mug, bed, wake up, coffee, brekkie, final tweaks, practise pitch, fight nerves, fight sleep deprivation, pitch (to 6 judges all advertising heros), leave, high-five, pub. An anxious wait was all that remained.<\/p>\n
JACK: And by the way, resisting the urge to get stuck into the Cairns Crocodiles delights was no easy feat. What I would\u2019ve done for a colour analysis (Pinterest) while playing a claw machine for Swarovski necklaces (Are Media) while getting a tramp stamp (also Pinterest). Alas, duty called.<\/p>\n
MEG: Spoiler alert: we didn\u2019t get the win. But we won hearts (unconfirmed) and won lots of huge learnings, from the winning Audio team (very deserved win) and all the other Hatchlings finalists too (looooots of de-briefing was done at the brewery after). While we\u2019re on the other Hatchlings \u2013 AKA the future leaders of advertising \u2013 for any brands out there that need creative advertising, don\u2019t fear the future!<\/p>\n
JACK: The Hatchlings this year were made up of creative, unique brains and the advertising and arts worlds better buckle up for what\u2019s coming. God bless Cairns Hatchlings for nurturing the talent. The next and final day, we had speed-mentoring.<\/p>\n
MEG: Take what you know about speed-dating and replace the hopeless romantics with hopeful creative directors, strategists, CEOs and other industry-greats (Shout-out Lizzie Young!). The mentors were global, coming from around Australia, Germany, India and elsewhere in between, and they all kindly volunteered their time to be interrogated by us Hatchlings. We got 6x 10-minute sessions to sit with any of the mentors and ask for their highly sought-after advice. It was 1000x better than speed dating (trust me).<\/p>\n
JACK: The closing party at Mexicairns was the cherry on top of the media-wonderland sundae. Above all, the bowling, pool, darts, nibbles, and refreshments, it was good to shake out the stresses and nerves from a choccablock week.<\/p>\n
If we\u2019re lucky enough to have this opportunity again, a few things we\u2019d want to improve:<\/p>\n
Our pitching skills
\nOur deck (graphic designers hmu)
\nOur clothing choices (Cairns is HOT)<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re eligible to apply for Cairns Hatchlings 2026, DO IT. Hopefully, we will see you there!<\/p>\n
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