🏆 MullenLowe’s Sampath Karunaratne Wins Next Gen Leader Scholarship to Cannes Lions

MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka Creative Director Sampath Karunaratne has been awarded the 2026 Next Generation Leader Scholarship to attend the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in France. • Industry Impact: This marks the second consecutive year a creative communications leader from MullenLowe Sri Lanka has secured this scholarship, following last year's inaugural recipient, Harendra Uyanage. • The Initiative: Established by Metal Factor to honor the legacy of strategist Yong Lye Peng, the program aims to identify emerging talents within Sri Lanka's marketing communications sector, driving global exposure and elevating local creative standards. • Professional Profile: Karunaratne holds nearly 20 years of experience in Sri Lanka's advertising industry, rising from a copywriter to a Creative Director. • Selection Process: The recipient was chosen through a rigorous adjudication panel consisting of leaders from Metal Factor, Sysco LABS, DFCC Bank, and Ngage Strategic Alliance.