Representing the 20th generation of youngsters selected within #TheAlternativeSchool laboratories, Diana Neagu is the winner of the competition dedicated to talent under 25 and will represent Romania at The Roger Hatchuel Academy at Cannes Lions this year through the valuable support of INVIZIBILII.RO.

Diana is a spirited Gen Z content creator and Art Director with a passion that’s been burning since kindergarten, when she built a LEGO camera and staged imaginary photo shoots with her friends. 

She studied Graphic Design in the UK and kicked off her career at McCann, where she spent over three years crafting campaigns as an Art Director. Along the way, she helped win a Bronze Cannes Lion and was named Art Director of the Year at the ADC Awards. Today, she’s bringing her creative magic to Leo Burnett, working with both local and regional clients.

Explore more about her journey in an exclusive interview here.

A double winner, to be fully honest

Diana scored twice - securing both first place and the top spot for the ERA scholarship - which led to the ERA scholarship prize being redistributed in descending order of the ranking. The new ERA scholarship winner is second-place finalist, Vlad Sima, also empowered by INVIZIBILII.RO.

Georgiana Chițac and Ioana Aștefănoaiei, proudly taking third and fourth place in the ERA scholarship, are packing their bags for Cannes Lions too, self-funding their travel costs.

Coming from another community of youngsters with less possibilities but full of talent, joining them under the same conditions, is Teodor Bivolaru, from Iasi, the second-place winner of the Call for Papers competition where more than 100 people entered. 

The first prize winner, David Albu, who generated the official “20 years of private diplomacy logo”, had already other international plans, but he is welcomed with open arms at the new school semester.

Big cheers and congratulations to the Cannes-heading inspiring trio!

When stars align

For the first time ever, this edition of the Roger Hatchuel Academy selection hit a spectacular milestone: all three contestants who made the shortlist achieved the maximum score from the eight esteemed jurors during the local judging round.

Selection made with rigor

Well deserved congratulations are in order for everyone who embraced this challenge and tackled the brief with authenticity, depth, humor, and charm! With this step, they move closer to becoming bold, outstanding creatives, ready to shine on the international stage.

A round of well-earned applause goes out to everyone who took on this challenge head-first, bringing authenticity, depth, humor, and undeniable charm to the table. With this leap, they’re not just answering a brief—they’re stepping into their power as fearless, standout creatives, ready to make waves on the global stage: Maria Ivan, Diana Cheivan, Maria Dragoi, Marius Penu, Maria Hodor, Daria Rojea, Anamaria Dica, Ioana Costinescu, Györfi Katinka!

What’s next ?

Submissions for the Roger Hatchuel Academy scholarship are now closed, but the countdown begins! We can’t wait to meet the next wave of bold, brilliant minds ready to shine in 2026.

Send your 2 minutes video sharing the story of your creative journey so far, explaining what makes you RHA / Cannes worthy until September 15th and you can qualify as well for the Fall-Winter Module @TheAlternativeSchool.

If you want to know more, drop us a line and keep an eye our social media for news & joi our Whatsapp Community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/BDj5AY7YZi50gGGTH5oqip 

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