Clarion Bright Sparks Creative Challenge Entry Form

Clarion is an award-winning PR and communications agency based in London. As part of our mission to get a broader range of talent into the PR industry, we’ve teamed up with Creative Alliance to bring a creative challenge to people under 30 not already working in the PR industry.

Individually – or in pairs – respond to the challenge below for your chance to win £1,000 plus a 2-week paid internship at Clarion, where you’ll get the chance to work on some of our clients, including retailers Aldi UK and Wickes, food and drink brands such as Lipton, Pukka, PG tips, Unilever and Border Biscuits, and lifestyle brands, including The Shard and airline Cathay Pacific.

Shortlisted candidates will have 20 minutes to present to a panel of judges on your ideas to respond to the below brief.

The communications challenge:

Introduction:

Lipton Teas and Infusions is a global leader in tea which counts the likes of Lipton, PG Tips, and Pukka within its brand portfolio.

LIPTON Teas and Infusions: The tea global leader

Objective:

We would like to see how you would approach launching a new drink product to the UK market, using innovative and creative routes to generate cut through, drive awareness of the offering and excite consumers about the new product.

Background:

• Fruit herbal and green teas are underexploited in the UK, but have huge growth potential
• Younger consumers are preferring cold drinks vs traditional hot beverages
• There is also a shift in what’s important: hydration, convenient formats, no plastic and not to mention the need to look good on Insta
• There is a growing need for caffeine-free products in younger consumers – while water is deemed too boring
• Cold and ice tea is already growing in popularity amongst younger consumers – Tea is a credible hydration format with both health & taste

The product to be launched and the opportunity: Lipton Iced Tea – in a Tea Bag

Use the tea bag to flavour water bottles on the go using cold water!

• A cold brew that delivers the same taste as the beloved Lipton Ice Tea
• Full on flavour of a properly brewed ice tea
• Flavours that are already loved by UK consumers, including the #1 ice tea seller Peach
• Healthy Refreshment alternative to Ready to Drink products (RTD): zero calories, zero sugar, zero artificials at a fraction of the cost of RTD
• Developed with the refillable water bottle in mind to monetise the tap water occasion
• Brew cold and makes a 500-800ml drink with one tea pyramid
• Perfect for at home and for on the go
• Individually packed and no liquid so no fear of spillage in bag / backpack / pocket (available in packets of 10 with RRP of £3.75)

Target Audience:

15 – 25-year-olds nationwide. Recruit the next generation of tea drinkers and drive the new habit of flavouring the water bottle and monetise the occasion

Budget:

£50,000 for both activation (costs) and fee (PR agency fees)

Develop a PR campaign idea that:

• Creates noise in the right places – what are the best media outlets that the audience is consuming
• Gets consumers talking about the new product – what activity would get them sharing the content on their whatsapp group with their friends?
• Works across all earned media. Consider the content and angles that work for them – the aim of this launch is specifically to generate earned editorial coverage across print, online, social and broadcast media.
• Really engages with the target audience, with a limited budget

Considerations:

• Influencer Integration: Consider how you would leverage relevant influencers to amplify your campaign message and reach a wider audience. Be specific about the types of influencers you would target and how you would engage them.
• What are the cultural moments and key happenings that can be tapped into to coincide with the launch

What we are looking for in each entry:

• How effectively the PR campaign responds to the communications challenge described in the brief
• Creativity of the proposal
• Uniqueness of ideas and activations
• Feasibility – how realistic is it that it would deliver earned media/social coverage with the budget (please include an estimated budget consideration in your response)
• How engaging the proposal is.

How to enter:

• Apply here by 2nd April 2026
• Entries should be submitted by power point or word document. No more than 10 slides of power point or 5 sides in word
• The panel of judges will pick one team (made up of maximum of 2 people) to win £1,000 and a 2-week internship at Clarion
• Best of luck with your entry – we can’t wait to see all of your creative ideas!

 

Terms and Conditions (Please read carefully)

The competition is only open to those aged 18-30 (as of 21.04.2026) eligible to work in the UK and not already employed full time at a PR agency. Max 2 people per entry. One entry per person. The competition closes at 11.59PM on 02.04.2026. Winners will receive £1,000 (split if two winners) + a 2-week paid internship at Clarion (London Living Wage). Internship must be completed for 2 consecutive weeks in 2026. No accommodation provided. Shortlisted entrants must be available to pitch at Clarion's London office on 30th April 2026. Your entry must be your own work and not infringe on anyone else’s rights. By entering, you agree to appear in publicity materials. The judges’ decision is final. Clarion can cancel or modify the competition if necessary.

Please see full T&C's Here