New York City, NY – The Effie Lions Foundation, a newly launched global non-profit organization, is setting out to reshape the marketing industry by promoting creativity, effectiveness, and inclusivity. The foundation is a result of a collaborative effort between Effie and Lions, initiated in January 2025. This venture aims to encourage brands to invest in creative marketing strategies that drive growth and showcase tangible results.
The foundation’s primary mission is to provide opportunities and experiences to aspiring marketing students worldwide. By forming partnerships with educational institutions and brands, the foundation seeks to equip students with the skills necessary to excel in an ever-evolving industry. The foundation emphasizes empowering the next generation of marketers with essential experience, connections, and tools to contribute to the industry’s future through their unique perspectives.
Central to the foundation’s efforts is the Effie Collegiate program, a hands-on marketing challenge that immerses students in real-world problem-solving scenarios. This initiative connects students with leading brands and agencies, fostering a comprehensive understanding of marketing campaign development. Currently operational in the United States and Latin America, the program is set to expand to South Africa under the name Effie College, with further global expansions in the pipeline.
Additionally, participating students will gain access to a suite of educational tools and insights from Lions, blending theoretical knowledge with cutting-edge practices. Resources available to students include Effie Fundamentals, a marketing effectiveness course; Contagious IQ, a marketing intelligence platform; the Contagious Creative Accelerator program; and The Work, a platform featuring over 200,000 award-winning campaigns from Cannes Lions. Graduates of the program will also have the opportunity to take part in Lions Creative MBA, a digital course aimed at accelerating their careers.
The foundation is steered by a leadership team with extensive experience in marketing, communications, advertising, education, and philanthropy, ensuring that its mission is purpose-driven and results-focused. At the helm is CEO Allison Knapp Womack, supported by board members such as Jae Goodman, CEO of Superconnector Studios, Traci Alford, global CEO of Effie, and Philip Thomas, chief creative officer at Global Brands, among others.
CEO Allison Knapp Womack expressed the foundation’s commitment to opening doors for students who may not have previously envisioned a career in marketing. She believes that providing these opportunities will lead to a more effective industry, enriched with diverse ideas and creativity. Board Chair Jae Goodman highlighted the potent combination of Effie’s marketing effectiveness, Lions’ creative prowess, and the energy of emerging talent, which the foundation aims to harness for the industry’s future benefit.
The Effie Lions Foundation stands as a testament to the ongoing dedication to global marketing excellence, poised to deliver transformative value to emerging marketers and the industry as a whole.
