The Jupiter Drawing Room (South Africa) & Partners, Africa’s largest independent advertising agency group, today announced a landmark partnership with global media and communications giant WPP.
This coincides with WPP CEO Sir Martin Sorrell’s announcement of the deal in Davos, Switzerland earlier today.
In what Jupiter founder and group chairman Graham Warsop (pictured) calls “A dream deal”, WPP will acquire, (subject to Competition Commission approval), a 49% stake in The Jupiter Drawing Room (South Africa) & Partners, The Jupiter Drawing Room (Johannesburg), The Jupiter Drawing Room (Cape Town) and through this investment, in their subsidiaries, including  Black River FC and MetropolitanRepublic.  
The Jupiter Drawing Room (South Africa) & Partners is one of the top four SA advertising groups by revenue and boasts a blue chip client roster that  includes ABSA, Edcon, Hyundai, MTN, Sanlam and Sasol.   
The Johannesburg agency was founded in 1989 with two employees and one client, the Cape Town office opened in 1994. In the nearly two decades of its existence as an independent, there has been significant sustained growth.  As at end February 2008 group revenues were ZAR 235.7 million (estimated billings of ZAR 1,4 billion).
The attraction of The Jupiter Drawing Room for WPP rests in part on the business success of the group, but also on the stellar reputation The Jupiter Drawing Room has gained internationally for the quality of its strategic and creative output.
The Jupiter Drawing Room (South Africa) & Partners is currently ranked as the number one creative agency group in South Africa by the SA Creative Circle and is the only South African agency to have been ranked in the Top Five Most Creative Agencies in The World by US trade publication Advertising Age’s Creativity. 
The Jupiter WPP deal is noteworthy in two material respects:
1. WPP and Jupiter have agreed to a 49% investment, as opposed to the traditional international networks’ investment policy of acquiring majority equity.
2. In a stunning testament to the power of The Jupiter Drawing Room brand, it will retain its status as a stand-alone brand in the WPP family and will not be incorporated into a branded network.
“It is of supreme significance that WPP will position The Jupiter Drawing Room brand as a stand-alone in its stable, not incorporated into any existing WPP branded agency or network. This leaves the door open for the possibility of building The Jupiter Drawing Room brand as a micro-network, beyond Africa, in the future,” says  Warsop.
As a result of the WPP transaction, Jupiter shareholders will release their shareholding equity in local agency DDB (South Africa). (The DDB brand is owned by WPP rival Omnicom).  Jupiter’s relationship with DDB (South Africa) proved beneficial to both parties, with Jupiter having access to a top international network and DDB (South Africa) enjoying a notable creative revival as part of the Jupiter family, including the Print Grand Prix at Cannes 2008.
MSG Afrika Investment Holdings remains The Jupiter Drawing Room’s Black Economic Empowerment partner post the transaction.

Simone Bartley says she has enjoyed 13 years at Saatchi & Saatchi, eight of those as CEO at two highly regarded and awarded offices - Singapore and Australia.
Bartley left Saatchi's yesterday, news which was first reported by CB. She told CB this afternoon: "Saatchi has been a Lovemark for me for the last 13 years so it is sad to be leaving that behind. However, there comes a natural time to start a new chapter and what better time than now when 'doing it differently' is the new mantra. So I have decided to pursue another opportunity in the industry.
"There is no doubt I will miss the amazing Saatchi people and clients I've worked closely with over the years and I wish the agency all the success in the future."
During Bartley's time in Singapore the agency was ranked No.1 creative agency by Campaign Brief Asia and awarded IAS Agency of The Year several years running. Australia has seen more of the same, holding firmly its position as No.1 Creative Agency, winning B&T Agency of The Year and a raft of awards and accolades and awards. Bartley lists impressive new business wins on her watch: Sony, Sony Ericcson, Australia Network, Aussie, Macquarie Capital Globally, Toyota Aurion and Toyota TRD, and most recently Cadbury..

An outdoor Innovate campaign for Network Ten promoting programs including So You Think You Can Dance, Life on Mars and The Biggest Loser launched this week. The Innovate campaigns feature Flatscreen Technology, Bluetooth and Altered Imagery Mirrored Panels.
TEN’s So You Think You Can Dance campaign features Flatscreen Technology, which delivers an interactive element to the campaign. Flatscreen Technology provides an interactive digital display for use on Street Furniture.  At selected sites in Sydney and Melbourne, the public are able to complete a dance audition, using a 46 inch interactive LCD screen, and enter a competition to win a $10,000 prize.
Another component of the So You Think You Can Dance campaign is Bluetooth. Bluetooth technology adds a different interactive element to the TEN campaign, by allowing consumers to download premium content. JCDecaux Citylight panels throughout Sydney’s CBD, allow the public to download, via Bluetooth, a 25 second ringtone of Global Deejays featuring, Rozalla, version of ‘Everybody’s free’ to their mobile phones.
TEN is also using Flatscreen Technology as part of the launch of Life on Mars. The Life On Mars campaign uses a bus shelter wrap featuring a 19 inch LCD screen, providing the public with a 5 minute video clip of the upcoming television show.
The final element of the TEN campaign features Altered Imagery Mirror Panels. The Mirror Panels create a bold visual effect for passers-by through illustrating an abstract reflection. The campaign to promote the return of The Biggest Loser provides the public with a visual illusion of how they could potentially look in 2009, if they participated in The Biggest Loser.

Alex Romans and Nadia Ahmed, a young creative team from Colman Rasic Carrasco, Sydney have been selected as winners of the YoungGuns Award 2008 Worldwide Creative Brief from Virgin Unite, the entrepreneurial foundation of the Virgin Group.

Says Rebecca Carrasco: "We’re feeling like proud parents over here right now!"

VIEW THE WINNING CONCEPT:

VirginUniteCourierCo.pdf

EXCLUSIVE - Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney CEO Simone Bartley left the agency today, and will be replaced by John Foley, CEO of Saatchi Singapore and Malaysia, effective mid February.
Where Simone is off to is unclear at this stage, but she told CB she has several options in Australia and promised to tell all when finalised...

Meanwhile, Ian Rowden, Saatchi & Saatchi's Sydney based Chairman and CEO, ASIA Pacific, has emailed all Saatchi Sydney staff, introducing Foley (pictured below left): "I am pleased to announce the appointment of John Foley as CEO Saatchi & Saatchi Australia. John has been with the Saatchi & Saatchi network for over 14 years.
He spent the first eight years of his career with Saatchi & Saatchi at the world acclaimed, Wellington office where he was intimately involved in famous campaigns for clients such as Toyota NZ, adidas International (All Blacks & 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan) and Telecom New Zealand.
He moved to Asia in 2002 where he was the Regional Director for the Toyota and Lexus Business for Asia Pacific reporting directly into Worldwide CEO, Kevin Roberts.
In 2004 he was appointed CEO of our Malaysia office and under John’s leadership the office became one of the ‘star’ agencies in our global network. A year ago John was promoted into a dual CEO role for both Malaysia and Singapore. Across the two agencies he was responsible for key regional clients that include Sony Ericsson, Toyota, Lexus, Tiger Beer, P&G, UOB Bank, Mead Johnson, Kraft & MSIG Insurance.
John has celebrated great success across both operations. Malaysia was the most awarded agency in the Asia Pacific region at the Cannes Festival. Meanwhile Singapore continues to be a creative powerhouse - ranked No.7 most creative agency in the Gunn Report and both offices won 2008 Agency of the year. Malaysia two years running, Singapore three years running.
Since arriving at Saatchi & Saatchi, I have been extremely impressed with John’s leadership in both Malaysia and Singapore.  I’m delighted that John has agreed to accept my offer to lead our Sydney office and look forward to working with him to shape the future success of this agency.  In his new role John will report directly to me.
Please join me in welcoming John, his wife Sara and their two children, Georgia & Jack to Sydney as well as wishing him every success in his new role.
John Foley replaces Simone Bartley as CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi Australia effective February 15th, 2009."

CB EXCLUSIVE - Former Love Sydney CD Scot Waterhouse will be joining McCann Erickson Sydney in early February as a senior writer, to be teamed with Dave Heytman, under the leadership of ECD, Erik Ingvoldstad.
Waterhouse, who made his creative rep at Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney, has a wealth of experience and knowledge to bring to the table. He has been eager to get back into an international agency for a while now.

Top DM creative Matt Batten has been tapped as the new Creative Director of Wunderman Sydney.
Batten was previously a member of award-winning DM teams at BMF and Saatchi & Saatchi. He is also chairman of the ADMA Agency Council and a key player in the DM Creative School.
 A highly credentialed integrated specialist, Batten has worked on campaigns for Aussie, Emirates, BPAY, Austar, Australian Red Cross Blood Service and ADMA. He has garnered a long list of accolades including Cannes, Caples, Echo, AWARD and ADMA, and took out two spots in the top ten of Won Report’s ‘World’s Best DM Campaigns’ in 2005. At the recent 2008 ADMA Awards, he collected more trophies than any other Australian creative and had a finalist for the Grand Prix award.
At Wunderman, Batten takes over from Brenton Bleechmore, who has transferred to the GPY&R creative department, and will bring a strong focus to new business and driving the agency’s creative success.
Says Batten: “Wunderman is a very strong global brand in its own right – after all, the network has a 50 year heritage and Lester Wunderman actually coined the term ‘direct marketing’. I look forward to expanding the agency’s portfolio with other strong brands.
“There’s a great philosophy at Wunderman – 'if it isn’t effective, it isn’t advertising'. And Wunderman’s performance at the last ADMA Awards is proof of that. They helped their clients get five trophies and two finalists – all for effectiveness. 2009 will see Wunderman turning a corner. It’s going to be a big year.” 

With the Australian economy on the verge of going into recession, this is not the time to dampen economic activity by imposing advertising bans on the business community, according to the country’s peak marketing agency body, the Advertising Federation of Australia (AFA).
“Economists and businesses the world over recognise that to prosper through the tough times you need to keep advertising - and maintain the ability to advertise your products. And yet now, on the verge of a recession, we are confronted by the Federal Government’s Preventative Health Taskforce (PHT) proposing ad bans to combat obesity and the over consumption of alcohol and calls for similar bans by two State Governments,” said Mark Champion, Executive Director of the AFA (pictured).
“It’s all very well for the Federal Government to commit to spend close to 20 billion dollars to stimulate the economy, but it makes no sense to then go and restrict the ability of companies to advertise and market products – especially at a time like this,“ he said.
“And we now know that banning ads in an attempt to control obesity and binge drinking don’t work and actually damage the economy.”
Research recently conducted by Frontier Economics (and co-funded by the AFA) has exposed the failure of ad bans internationally. That research also highlights that advertising prohibitions drive discounting of products and inhibit product reformulation and innovation – defeating the intent of such bans. 
The Federal Government’s PHT report calls for a ban on the advertising of certain foods from early morning to mid evening on television, and draconian restrictions of similar advertising in other media.
In addition, the PHT report recommends advertising bans on alcohol products, as well as banning alcohol discounting and sponsorship.
As well as the proposals from the PHT, the South Australia Government is proposing bans on what foods can be advertised during children’s programmes on television and the Queensland Government is proposing similar measures. 
“The industry believes Government should be trying to stimulate marketing and advertising as part of its rolling package of measures, rather than dampening it, “ said Mr Champion.
“Agencies, and I’m sure marketers, would value the opportunity to sit down with State or Federal Governments to work through the options on how businesses can be encouraged to market their way out of a downturn instead of being forced to batten down the hatches. And we’ve got some good ideas on how this can be achieved,” he said.
The Australian marketing and media industry is estimated to generate more than 30 billion dollars per annum of the country’s GDP.

Download - full release, including analysis of the economic value of advertising and marketing:
Ad Ban Plans Will Dampen the Economic Recovery_28 Jan 09.pdf

Rob Martin Murphy, ECD of The Furnace, Sydney is helping to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy by cycling 1200 kilometres from Sydney to Melbourne from March 7th to 16th on behalf of Tour Duchenne.
Tour Duchenne was started with an aim to raise $1 million for research into a cure for Muscular Dystrophy. All proceeds go to The Institute of Neuromuscular Research, Children's Hospital at Westmead, as well as the National Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre in Melbourne.
Muscular Dystrophy affects 1 in 1000 people and the cost to the community is an incredible $1.5 billion per year. As a result, MD has a higher cost per case than Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, MS, Diabetes and Asthma.
The most common inherited neuromuscular disorder is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), which affects 1 in 3500 boys. DMD results in a progressive degeneration of the muscles of the limbs, diaphragm and heart, with boys losing the ability to perform the simplest of functions by their mid teens. Boys with DMD typically die in their early 20’s from respiratory failure, as the breathing muscles are no longer able to function. One of the first things that DMD boys lose the ability to do is a ride a bike. That’s why the Tour Duchenne charity bike ride was created.

YOUR DONATION CAN REALLY HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
TO DONATE TO ROB’S RIDE FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE STEPS:
CLICK ON THIS LINK

THEN CLICK ‘SPONSOR RIDER’ BUTTON IN ROB’S PROFILE.
YOU CAN PAY VIA DINERS, VISA OR MASTERCARD.
THE SITE IS SECURE AND ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

SO LET’S DIG DEEP AND SEE WHAT THE AD INDUSTRY CAN DO.

Pizza Hut has launched one of its biggest ever advertising campaigns this week to announce the arrival of its new Tuscani Pastas range, signaling a major new direction for the company.
Created by M&C Saatchi and shot in a Sydney restaurant, the commercial features real life people who are eating and commenting on pasta meals without knowing the restaurant-quality pasta is from Pizza Hut.
The restaurant’s chef then reveals the truth to the pleasantly surprised diners.
To celebrate the launch of its pasta offering – the biggest shift in the company since its launch in Australia 40 years ago - Pizza Hut is also considering the introduction of a Pasta Hut brand.
In fact, it is re-branding two Sydney outlets in the CBD to help gauge consumer reaction.
To help make its final decision on the introduction of the Pasta Hut brand, Pizza Hut is asking Australians to vote for their preferred name – Pizza Hut or Pasta Hut. Visit www.pastahut.com.au to vote or to find out further information.

Agency: M&C Saatchi, Sydney
Creative Director: Ben Welsh
Creative team: Mike Miller & Andy Flemming
Agency producer: Emma Alexander
Account Management: Nathalie Brady & Lara-Ming Sinnathamboo
Production House: Flying Fish
Director: Anthony Rose
Production House Producer: Caroline David

The entry deadline for the 2009 One Show is four days away!
Regular Deadline: January 30th, 2009
Entries entered into the online system after January 30th will be subject to a $10 per entry late fee.
Register now! www.enteroneshow.org

The entry deadlines for the 2009 One Show Interactive and One Show Design have been extended!
Deadline: February 27th, 2009
Entries must be received in house: March 6th, 2009

Three Drunk Monkeys digital CD, Mark Ashley-Wilson, has been selected to represent Australia at ADFEST 2009 in the Cyber category. ADFEST is the annual regional advertising event that celebrates creativity in the Asia Pacific region, tol be held at Pattaya Beach, Thailand from March 19 to 21, 2009. It is a platform designed to elevate creative standard and promote communication within the advertising and production industry. The festival does not only promote and recognize creative excellence in the region, but more importantly, it provides a unique learning opportunity for participants to see some of the best works in the region and hear it first-hand from the industry experts.
Ashley-Wilson is also heading to London to judge Cyber at D&AD next month.

ADFEST DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL JANUARY 31.
ENTER NOW

SBS will create a Foundation to be custodian of $2 million worth of television airtime which will be donated to support charities and charitable causes, SBS Managing Director Shaun Brown announced today.
“While SBS has always been a strong supporter of charities, the SBS Foundation will ensure that our support truly makes a difference to the aims and ambitions of a small number of not-for-profits,” Shaun Brown said.
SBS will dedicate significant airtime and resources towards a more targeted television campaign for a select group of charities who have a synergy with SBS’s Charter.
“A dedicated SBS committee will assess each application against published criteria and choose the charities that the SBS Foundation will support for a 12 month period.”
SBS today released guidelines and called for applications from charities interested in getting support from the SBS Foundation. SBS will select partners across a range of categories including:
 
 Creative/Arts
 Multicultural
 Indigenous
 Environmental
 Health
 Regional
 Sport
 
Applications for support from the SBS Foundation close at 5pm on Friday 27 February 2009 and the successful charities will be announced before 1 April 2009.
The guidelines for the SBS Foundation can be found at www.sbs.com.au/future.

Today marks the end of the Bush administration in the White House and to honour this momentous occasion, Euro RSCG Sydney has created a banner ad for Reckitt Benckiser’s Veet Hair Removal cream.
The ad simply says “Goodbye Bush” and appeared in the Daily Telegraph and Herald Sun during the coverage of President Obama’s inauguration.
“It’s a playful, fun take on the departure of George W we just couldn’t resist,“ said Rowan Dean, Executive Creative Director of Euro RSCG, Sydney.

Executive Creative Director: Rowan Dean
Copywriter: John Gault
Art Director: Patrycja Lukjanow
Category Manager (Reckitt Benckiser): Anja Voss

CB EXCLUSIVE - DDB Sydney creative director Mark Harricks is one of only five non US creatives invited on to the prestigious and exclusive 16 person jury of the 2009 The One Show.
Australian born Harricks, who was lured to DDB Sydney from Clemenger BBDO, Wellington (after seven years) last year, has won won a swag of awards, including an Integrated Lion and several Silver Lions at Cannes in 2007.
Harricks will join a jury lineup which includes Gerry Graf from Saatchi's New York, Hal Curtis from Wieden + Kennedy Portland, Tim Roper from Crispin Porter & Bogusky, Boulder, Ari Weiss from Goodby Silverstein & Partners, San Francisco, Susan Credle from BBDO New York, David Angelo from David&Goliath, Los Angeles and Court Crandall from Ground Zero, Los Angeles.
Apart from Harricks, the other non US jurors are Joaquin Bascunan from BBDO Santiago, Chile, Fredrik Jansson from Forsman & Bodenfors, Sweden, Eduardo Lima from
F/NAZCA Saatchi & Saatchi, San Paulo, Brazil and Thirasak Tanapatanakul from Creative Juice G1, Bangkok.

There are only 10 days left to get your One Show entries in. In addition to Gold, Silver and Bronze Pencils, this year the first-ever Green Pencil will be awarded for the best non-profit/public service advertising that promotes the environment. With an all-star panel of notable industry professionals, the 2009 One Show promises to be one of the highlights of any creative's career.

Lowe and Rivet, joint winners of the AWARD 2008 Agency of the Year, are to become one operation under the Lowe name.
“We work so tightly with each other and with our clients, we see no need any more to have separate structures or brands. Lowe makes brands more valuable to clients while Rivet is renowned for its brilliant direct and digital work,” said Lowe Chief Executive, Stephen Pearson.
Leaders of the dual agency model for the past two years, Pearson and Judi Lewis (pictured) will continue to lead the single entity with Lewis as Managing Director.
The single Lowe entity will have a significant digital capability with around a third of its staff being digital specialists.
“We’re passionate about creating high value ideas for clients that can be converted into valuable properties and we have a remarkable success strike rate around the world and in Australia,” said Pearson.
The agency’s high impact work includes Unilever's Lynx, Football Federation Australia’s A-League,  Foxtel’s HD+ launch, and MTV through the use of Snoop Dog.
Judi Lewis added: “We grew our business by 40% in 2008 and despite the economic climate, we expect significant growth again in 2009.” 

Applications to the News Limited AWARD School are now online.
Led by AWARD Committee Executives Rebecca Carrasco, ECD of CRC Sydney, and Paul Bruce, Senior Creative at BMF Sydney, News Limited AWARD School offers an amazing opportunity for budding advertising art directors and copywriters learning from the industry’s finest.
The application brief for this year’s News Limited AWARD School is now available to download from www.awardschoolonline.com
Applications must be submitted no later than 5pm, Friday 30th January 2009.
Applicants will have two weeks to complete their submission, and anyone can apply.
All work must be submitted hand drawn. The names of successful applicants will be posted on the AWARD School website in early February.
The 16-week part time course runs from March to July each year across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart.
The course consists of a Monday evening lecture and Thursday evening tutorial. AWARD School invites lecturers and tutors from some of the most talented pool of people working in the industry. There are currently around 85% of working creatives who have completed the course.

Diary dates
•    AWARD School Sydney start and finish dates: Thursday, 12th March – Thursday,
 2nd July 2009
•    AWARD School Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart and Adelaide start and finish dates: Thursday, 6th April – Thursday, 23rd July 2009

For further information please visit www.awardschoolonline.com or contact Hannah Morden, hannah@awardonline.com or telephone +61 2 9699 2999.

CB EXCLUSIVE - The CLIO Awards, one of the world’s most prestigious international advertising and design competitions honoring creative excellence and innovation in the industry, today announced the highly influential industry leaders from around the world who will serve as executive jury chairs for the 50^th Anniversary CLIO Awards to be held May 12 – 14, 2009 in Las Vegas.

“In order to honor great work, CLIO has appointed the most strategic, innovative and creative individuals in the advertising industry to serve as executive jury chairs for the 50^th Anniversary CLIO Awards,” said Wayne Youkhana, director of the CLIO Awards. “These individuals not only demonstrate a profound understanding of the rapidly-changing dynamics of the marketplace, but are also creative leaders in the industry who consistently inspire fresh thinking in all mediums.”
This year’s three-day CLIO festival will be held May 12 – 14, 2009 in Las Vegas, and will feature five distinct award shows, receptions, after-parties, a comprehensive and forward-thinking educational conference featuring the world’s greatest creative minds, a 50^th Anniversary CLIO Awards viewing gallery, as well as networking opportunities for CLIO delegates.

The five distinct award shows are:

• Moving Image Awards – recognizing Television/Cinema/Digital & Television/Cinema/Digital Technique mediums
• Emerging Media Awards – recognizing Content & Contact, Innovative Media, Interactive, and Integrated mediums
• Communications Awards* – recognizing Print, Radio, Direct Mail, Poster and Billboard mediums, as well as Strategic Communications and Public Relations
• Design Awards – recognizing Design mediums
• Lifetime Achievement Awards – recognizing the outstanding and ongoing contribution of an individual who leads the industry forward

The entry submission deadline for the advertising category is January 23, 2009 for all work appearing between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008. The entry submission deadline for the Strategic Communications/Public Relations category is February 13, 2009 for any campaign appearing between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008. For additional information, please visit www.clioawards.com.

*The Print and Radio Awards show has been renamed the Communications Awards, as the category now includes the Strategic Communications/Public Relations awards.

CB EXCLUSIVE - In their first major hire, The Campaign Palace Melbourne creative directors Gerhard Myburgh and Brent Liebenberg have signed award winning creative team Robbie Brammall and Ant Hatton.
The pair joins from Saatchi & Saatchi Auckland where they have enjoyed a highly productive year, picking up silver at Cannes with work also recognised at AWARD and Caxtons.
Myburgh and Liebenberg said the Aussie team would add significant weight to The Palace creative department. “We saw about a dozen creative teams and some really hot work, but the guys just stood out from the start. They have that magic mix of rationality and insanity that keeps you wondering what they’ll come up with next, and we’re very excited to have them on board.”
The gig reunites Brammall and Hatton with their former GPY&R Melbourne colleague Tom Cooper, now the Palace md. “We loved meeting Gerhard and Brent and jumped at the chance to play a significant role in helping to realise their ambition to make The Palace the best agency in the region. We’ll put the hours in and do our best to achieve that.”
 They join the agency next month.
 

Leo Burnett Sydney heads the list of Australian agencies according to The Big Won 2008 rankings, just released. JWT Sydney is in second place, followed by DDB Sydney.
The Big Won is a survey of the world’s best marketing communications as measured by the quantity and quality of awards won. In 2008 nearly 12,000 awards were logged, won by 1,702 different agencies – with credits to over 22,000 different people.
In 2008, in association with The Garden Recruitment, the UK’s fastest-growing advertising recruitment consultancy, The Big Won has also compiled rankings of the top creative people.

Top 10 Australian agencies
1. Leo Burnett Sydney (223 points)
2. JWT Sydney (175)
3. DDB Sydney (132)
4. Lowe & Rivet Australia (112)
5. Clemenger BBDO Melbourne (97)
6. Mark/M&C Saatchi Sydney (80)
7. Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney (76)
8. BMF Sydney (68)
9. M&C Saatchi Sydney (66)
10. Leo Burnett Melbourne (46)

Top 10 Australian campaigns by all media
1. MTV Welcome Snoop - Lowe & Rivet Sydney (112 points)
2. WWF Earth Hour - Leo Burnett Sydney (70)
3. Herringbone Henri's Hands - M&C Saatchi Sydney (50)
4. Thrifty Birthday Girl - JWT Sydney (47)
5. Schweppes Burst - George Patterson Y&R Melbourne (38)
6. Foster's Skytroop - Clemenger BBDO Melbourne (30)
7. Lion Nathan TED 696 Project - BMF Sydney (26)
8. McDonald's Name It Burger - Leo Burnett Sydney (25)
9= Olympus Echidna/Koala - JWT Sydney (22)
9= RACV Disclaimer - Clemenger BBDO Melbourne (22)

SEE THE NEW ZEALAND RANKINGS HERE


Scoring points
Every award entered into the database is allocated points but more points are allocated to a Gold at Cannes than to a Gold at the Creative Circle, for instance. This is because there are four tiers of awards shows.

Tier 1 is the global shows such as Cannes or (for DM) The Caples.
Tier 2 is for semi-global shows such as D&AD or The One Show.
Tier 3 is for regional shows, which would include FIAP, Golden Drum and EPICA, for instance.
Tier 4 comprises local shows – the BIG Awards in the UK, Golden Hammer in Latvia, les Cubes for direct marketing in France, and so on.

Vodafone has collaborated with Multi Channel Network and media buying agency IKON to create a distinctive multi-platform TV sponsorship of FOX8’s groundbreaking new reality series THE PHONE which debuts on Monday 19th January. 
Lead by Ikon Communications, the Vodafone sponsorship will feature an interactive television, online and mobile component, in addition to live mobile streaming and mobile downloads of each episode to customers.  Key components of the 360 promotion include:
driving viewers to an interactive game on the new www.Fox8.tv website which mirrors THE PHONE’s program content, a program trailer of THE PHONE sent to Vodafone subscribers via MMS (multimedia messaging service),
Cut-downs of each episode of the program streamed on Vodafone Live!
Vodafone branding and promotional content has been seamlessly integrated throughout THE PHONE’s marketing, with cross-promotion across both FOXTEL and Vodafone platforms during the first series. 
Viewers can win 8 Blackberry Storms, and buy a model of the same phone used within the program in Vodafone stores. The ringtone that features in The Phone can be made available as a free download on Vodafone live!
Bespoke sponsorship billboards and commercials within the show
Radio, outdoor and point of sale promotions will support the campaign.
Expected to attract a following amongst the valuable 16-39 year old demographic, THE PHONE is a high-paced action/adventure reality series in which two complete strangers are plucked from their daily lives to compete in a cat and mouse game.  In every episode, two new contestants must work together, but ultimately compete against one another, for the chance to win a significant cash prize pool.
Produced by dSP Beyond for FOXTEL, and featuring high profile Australian actor Justin Melvey, THE PHONE is the first series in the world to combine reality with such enthralling scripted set-pieces. Filmed with frenetic pace in a voyeuristic manner, THE PHONE replicates the look/feel of the smash hit Bourne Identity and 24 franchises.
Viewer interactivity starts on the 19th January with clues for the series provided at the end of the first episode. Participants in the competition will receive voice mail messages on their mobile phone with further information from the show’s star, Justin Melvey.
Vodafone’s Brand Director, Andrew Branwhite commented: “Vodafone was presented with a unique opportunity to identify, understand and connect with consumers on a multi-level platform. The opportunity to leverage both traditional and online media to connect with consumers is something we were instantly drawn to.
“Through the activation of THE PHONE, the Vodafone brand, network and the products and services offered, truly come to life. Each episode plays a critical role for Vodafone as it demonstrates how a range of our products and services work. It is through this demonstration we are presented with a great opportunity to underscore a relevance to consumers, Rather than endeavouring to communicate with consumers in an overt way seen in the television sponsorship space, we believe highlighting usability and relevance will be far more affective in propelling the Vodafone brand to the public,” said Branwhite.
MCN General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Damian Keogh said the Vodafone’s target audience is a perfect fit for THE PHONE’s core viewer demographic. “We’re confident THE PHONE will be one of the standout performers this Summer, and we hope to see FOX8 build this series into its ongoing programming menu.  THE PHONE will have strong appeal amongst younger viewers – who enjoy the edgy, fastpaced action they’ve come to expect from quality programming franchises such as 24. It’s fantastic to see such original, high quality programming produced within Australia, which reflects the coming of age for our subscription television industry,” said Keogh.
Grant LeQuesne, Communications Strategist from Ikon Communications, said: "We're not interested in standard your-logo-goes-here sponsorships, or shoe-horning products into places that they don't fit.  Everywhere that Vodafone appears in and around the show is relevant.  The propositions and messaging have been created specifically for THE PHONE."
 

The London International Awards will be included for the first time in the annual Campaign Brief Creative Rankings. Campaign Brief has been closely observing the LIA show for the past four years and we have been very impressed with the toughness of the judging, the quality of the winning work and the positive comments from some of the judges around the world we respect the most. Clinching their involvement from this year onwards, the London Internationals is also moving to a 30+ person jury that will sit and judge together each year. This year's panel will judge in Las Vegas.
London Internationals call for entries is April 13, 2009.

The shows that are included in the Campaign Brief Creative Rankings are:
Cannes
D&AD
The One Show
Clio
London Internationals
AWARD
The Work
The Caxtons

The Work 08 is currently at the printer and will be available very soon. The 400+ page hardback book features the best 387 ads and campaigns from 2008 from Australia, NZ and Asia.
The Work 08 again comes with 2 high quality DVDs that contains all TV, TV Craft, Integrated and Radio acceptances. This year 224 acceptances came from Asia, 98 from Australia and 65 from New Zealand.
As a network, BBDO bounced back to top position after two years running second to Ogilvy & Mather. Their 64 acceptances put them in front of JWT (48), O&M (47), Saatchi & Saatchi (44) and DDB (40) .
The top agencies overall were DDB Auckland and Saatchi & Saatchi NZ with 16 acceptances each. Colenso BBDO Auckland was ranked third with 13 acceptances and Clemenger BBDO Wellington equal fourth with 12. The top ranking agency from Australia was DDB Sydney with 12 acceptances, while the top ranking agency from Asia was BBDO Bangkok with 10.

You can order copies of The Work 08 via the PDF.
THE-WORK-08_Order Form.pdf

TOP 20 AGENCIES IN THE WORK 08
1. DDB Auckland (16 acceptances)
1. Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand (16)
3 Colenso BBDO Auckland (13)
4 DDB Sydney (12)
4. Clemenger BBDO Wellington (12)
6. BBDO Bangkok (10)
6. JWT Sydney (10)
6. Saatchi & Saatchi Sydney (10)
9. Y&R Singapore (9)
9. O&M Mumbai (9)
11. Dentsu Inc Tokyo (7)
11. Clemenger BBDO Melbourne (7)
11. JWT Mumbai (7)
11. Saatchi & Saatchi Malaysia (7)
15. Saatchi & Saatchi Singapore (6)
15. O&M Singapore (6)
15. Leo Burnett Mumbai (6)
15. M&C Saatchi Sydney (6)
19. BBDO Guerrero Manila (5)
19. BBDO Proximity Malaysia (5)
19. Creative Juice\G1 Bangkok (5)
19. JWT Shanghai (5)
19. JWT Singapore (5)
19. Lowe Bangkok (5)
19. O&M Shanghai (5)
19. TBWA\Tequila Singapore (5)

David Nobay, creative chairman of Droga5 Australia, has been selected to chair the prestigious Advertising jury of the 88th Annual ADC Global Awards, run by The Art Directors Club, the first global creative collective of its kind with membership in advertising, design and visual communications.
The Advertising category covers work in broadcast, print, poster, billboard, collateral, integrated and interactive. 

ADC 88th Annual Awards Advertising:
•    David Nobay, creative chairman, droga5, Sydney, Australia (Jury Chair)
•    Alexander Zelmanovics, chief creative officer, Lowe GGK, Vienna, Austria
•    Pancho González, director general creativo, Unitas/RNL, Santiago, Chile
•    Prasoon Joshi, executive chairman, regional CD, Asia Pacific, McCann Erickson, Mumbai, India
•    Steve Stretton, creative founder, Archibald Ingall Stretton, London, UK
•    Seb Royce, creative director, Glue London, London, UK
•    Jan Jacobs, co-founder, creative director, Johannes Leonardo, New York, USA
•    Bob Winter, vice president, creative director, Leo Burnett, Chicago, USA
•    Luis Miguel Messianu, president, chief creative officer, Alma DDB, Coral Gables (FL), USA
•    Roger Baldacci, executive vice president, creative director, Arnold, Boston, USA
•    Masako Okamura, creative director, Dentsu, Tokyo, Japan
•    Glenn Cole, co-founder, co-creative director, 72andSunny, Los Angeles, USA

The ADC Hybrid category honors the year's most innovative, game-changing and inspiring work, and the most relevant, entertaining, engaging brand experiences and advertising solutions.  
 
ADC 88th Annual Awards Hybrid jury:
•    John Jay, executive creative director, partner, Wieden+Kennedy, Portland (OR), USA (Jury Chair)
•    Koichiro Tanaka, creative director, Projector, Tokyo, Japan
•    Alex Lieu, chief creative officer, 42 Entertainment, Pasadena (CA), USA
•    Rob Reilly, partner, co-executive creative director, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, Miami, USA
•    Guillermo Tragant, president creative, FURIA, Buenos Aires, Argentina

“ADC juries are made up of those whose work is at the vanguard of creative today,” said Ami Brophy, CEO, ADC.  “Advertising category jurors bring their diverse points of view to bear from a global perspective, and are tasked with identifying the world’s best work in broadcast and print.  The ADC Hybrid jury specializes in recognition of the extreme of innovation in advertising, the work that raised the bar by breaking new ground.”
Full juries for the ADC 88th Annual Awards Interactive were announced last week.  Design and ADC Design Sphere categories will be announced shortly. 
Deadline for entries is January 16, 2009 for professionals and January 30, 2009 for students.  Winners will be announced in the spring of 2009 during the Gala awards ceremony at the ADC Gallery in New York.  Winning work will also be part of a world exhibition tour, and be published in the Art Directors Club Annual 88, the longest running archive of leading creative work in global advertising, design and visual communications. 
A number of new elements have been added to the ADC 88th Annual Awards program.  These include the debut of the ADC Black Cube for best-in-show in Advertising, Design and Interactive; the new ADC Bronze Cube (supplementing the existing Gold and Silver Cube awards); and cumulative awards for Design Firm of the Year, Advertising Agency of the Year, Interactive Agency of the Year and Network of the Year, based on winning point totals for the year.

Deadlines for entry: January 16, 2009 for professionals,
January 30, 2009 for students. 
 

The Caples finalists are out and BMF Sydney lead the Australian finalist list with thirteen, including their '696 project' for Tooheys, which is one of five campaigns shortlisted for best of show.
The international Caples Awards are the world's premier direct response awards.
Aim Proximity New Zealand is the leading agency in the world at this stage with 20 of the 238 finalists. They are also the only New Zealand agency with work shortlisted for best of show. Their Love Conspiracy job (recently awarded at AWARD) for The Warehouse is one of them.

AUSTRALIA + NZ SHORTLIST
Aim Proximity New Zealand (20 finalists)
BMF Sydney (13)
Rapp Auckland (11)
M&C/Mark Sydney and Melbourne (10)
Clem BBDO/Proximity Sydney (7)
Lowe Rivet Sydney (5)
Clem Proximity Melbourne (4)
Draft FCB New Zealand (3)
Euro RSCG Sydney (3)
Lavender Sydney (3)
TBWA\Whybin Tequila Auckland (2)
Mercer Bell Sydney (2)
Tequila Sydney (2)
Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand (2)
Y&R Auckland (1)
Singleton Ogilvy One, Sydney (1)
G2 New Zealand (1)
RMG Sydney (1)
Rapp Sydney (1)

The world economy is rooted – and even Australia is not immune.
In the latest campaign created by BMF for LAMB, Sam Kekovich returns to warn us all that the global credit crunch has been caused by unAustralianism, and that there’s only one way to beat it: munch LAMB.
From Wall Street wankers to the movie Australia, no perpetrator of the current economic situation is spared Sam’s wrath.  His solution?  Be like him – or go one better and actually be him – and serve LAMB on Australia. Day.
“The credit crunch has provided us with an opportunity to re-evaluate what’s important in life.  This year Sam reminds the nation that enjoying a lamb chop and a cold one is the epitome of what it means to be Australian," said Warren Brown, BMF Executive Creative Director.
“I continue to be surprised by how BMF and the team make Sam’s LAMB campaign fresh, entertaining and relevant to all Australians year after year,” said David Thomason, Meat & Livestock Australia’s General Manager, Marketing.
“LAMB is our national meat – we’re amongst the heaviest consumers of LAMB in the world.  This latest promotion further reinforces LAMB as an iconic Australian product – what could be better than celebrating our national day with LAMB?” he added.
The campaign launched nationally on Sunday as a 90” TVC, supported by point of sale, online and PR activities.

VIEW THE 90 SECOND SPOT

Executive Creative Director: Warren Brown
Copywriter: Dennis Koutoulogenis
Art Director: Jake Rusznyak
Business Director: Ruth Holt
Account Director: Alison Tilling
Account Manager: Louise Mawer
Agency Producer: Louise Hodgson
Director: Simon MacRae
Producer: Alex Mooney
Production Company: Orange Whip Films
Editor: Dan Mitchell @ MRPPP
Post Production Company: Jim Bullard @ MRPPP
Sound Engineer: Paul Taylor @ Sound Reservoir
Strategic Planner: Gerry Cyron
Client: Meat & Livestock Australia – David Thomason, Janice Byrnes
Media Agency: Universal McCann
PR Agency: Hausmann Communications
Art Buyer:  Basir Salleh
Print Producers: Dominic Ardino & Clinton Bell
Print Photographer: Jon Bader

This summer 7-Eleven releases their biggest ever Slurpee, a mammoth 1.18 litre cup. Dubbed ‘The Big Slurpee’, it is the biggest icy-cold drink in Australia. To promote the arrival of this gigantic product 7-Eleven and agency Leo Burnett Melbourne devised an equally gigantic campaign idea.
The campaign sees the creation of the ultimate Slurpee brand experience with the brand itself being turned into a tourist destination. This summer an 11-metre tall Slurpee (complete with straw) will be constructed, transported and installed in the sunny Australian coastal location of Coffs Harbour in NSW. Slurpee drinkers can participate in the campaign by taking a road trip to The Big Slurpee or by visiting its online destination where they can view the architectural blueprints, comment on the project and watch its construction. 
Slurpee brand activation manager, Rebecca Mountstephen, said it’s a monument befitting the arrival of a monumental beverage: “We thought the biggest and best way to celebrate the arrival of our 'big' Slurpee cups in stores this summer was to create a larger-than-life-sized Big Slurpee that fans can actually visit.”
The task of constructing a new national icon proved extremely exhausting with production of The Big Slurpee, from its initial design stage to its final installation, taking over 4 months to complete. Interested parties can view the construction, transportation and installation as they happen at www.thebigslurpee.com.au.

View the campaign:
Big Slurpee Campaign.pdf

Agency: Leo Burnett, Melbourne 
Creative Director: Jason Williams
Head of Art: David Klein
Art Director: Richard Walker
Copywriter: Andrew Woodhead
Production Manager: Gary Arnas 

DDB New Zealand has been rated the world’s number one advertising agency in the 6th Annual Bestadsontv.com Rankings, beating some of the world’s biggest advertising names such as BBDO New York, Saatchi & Saatchi London, Mother UK and Wieden & Kennedy, Portland.
It was a great year for New Zealand, with Colenso BBDO, Auckland at #2, and Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand at equal #3 with BBDO New York. Neogama/BBH, Sao Paulo ranked #5 followed by BBH London at #6, JWT Sydney at #7, DDB London at #8, with Goodby Silverstein & Partners, San Francisco and TBWA\Hunt Lascaris, Johannesburg sharing the #9 spot.
MJZ was ranked number one TVC production company in 2008, followed by Hungry Man, Sonny London, with Gorgeous and Rattling Stick equal 4th.
Volkswagen was the number one client in 2008, followed by Procter & Gamble, TVNZ, Amnesty International and Adidas.
The Best Ads Rankings rate the world’s leading advertising agencies, clients and TVC production companies according to the quality of their creative work during the year.
Agencies across the globe can submit work to one of five categories which are judged weekly (TV, Outdoor and Print) or monthly (Radio and Interactive). Each week, the best TV, Outdoor and Print is critiqued by a leading international creative expert. Every ad that makes it into the Week’s or Month’s Best is showcased online and all agencies involved are awarded points. These are then tallied up to give the year’s overall rankings.
In 2008, DDB NZ had Best Ads work selected for every major client in its portfolio, including NZ Lotteries, Cadbury, Tasman Insulation, Sky TV and Volkswagen.
Says DDB Chairman and Chief Creative Officer Bob Scarpelli: “Sometimes our biggest ideas come from our smallest countries. That has certainly been the case with DDB New Zealand over the years. They consistently do what DDB does best: create communications that people like and like to talk about. I am very proud of our New Zealand team for capturing this honor.”
Says DDB NZ Deputy Creative Director Bridget Taylor (pictured): “Best Ads is one of the fairest awards competitions out there, as it measures agencies’ work over the course of an entire year.
“This win shows that DDB NZ has consistently performed, week in, week out, at a global level. It’s fantastic to know that our work touches people across the world – it shows what hard work, determination and an amazing team can achieve.”

BESTADS TOP AUSTRALIAN AGENCIES 2008
JWT Sydney (14 points)
Clemenger BBDO, Melbourne (10)
Grey, Melbourne (7)
RazorJunior, Sydney (7)
Saatchi & Saatchi Australia (7)
BMF, Sydney (6)
George Patteron Y&R, Melbourne (6)
303 Group, Perth (5)
DDB Sydney (5)
Leo Burnett, Melbourne (5)
Lowe & Rivet, Sydney (5)
M&C Saatchi, Melbourne (5)
Marketforce, Perth (5)
Clemenger BBDO, Sydney (4)
Cummins Nitro, Melbourne (4)
Cummins Nitro, Brisbane (3)
Publicis Mojo, Sydney (3)
Whybin TBWA, Sydney (3)
Eardrum, Sydney (2)
Euro RSCG, Sydney (2)
Junior, Brisbane (2)
JWT Melbourne (2)
Leo Burnett, Sydney (2)
Lifelounge, Melbourne (2)
M&C Saatchi, Sydney (2)
Publicis Mojo, Melbourne (2)
The Campaign Palace, Melbourne (2)

BESTADS TOP NEW ZEALAND AGENCIES 2008
DDB New Zealand (25 points)
Colenso BBDO, Auckland (22)
Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand (18)
Clemenger BBDO, Wellington (5)
TBWA\Whybin, Auckland (5)
Ogilvy New Zealand (4)
Publicis Mojo, Auckland (4)
Republik Auckland (3)
Y&R Auckland (2)

BESTADS TOP AUSTRALIAN / NEW ZEALAND TVC PRODUCTION COMPANIES 2008
Exit Films (5 points)
Plaza Films (4)
Luscious Films (2)
Orange Whip Films (2)
@radical.media (2)
Robbers Dog (2)
The Sweet Shop (2)

BESTADS WORLD AGENCY RANKINGS 2008
1. DDB New Zealand (25 points)
2. Colenso BBDO, Auckland (23)
3. BBDO New York (18)
3. Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand (18)
5. Neogama/BBH, Sao Paulo (17)
6. BBH London (15)
7. JWT Sydney (14)
8. DDB London (13)
9. Goodby Silverstein & Partners, San Francisco (11)
9. TBWAHunt Lascaris, Johannesburg (11)
11. Clemenger BBDO, Melbourne (10)
12. BBDO Bangkok (9)
12. JWT London (9)
12. Mother, London (9)
12. Ogilvy, Cape Town (9)
12. Rethink, Vancouver (9)
17. King James, Cape Town (8)
17. RKCR/Y&R, London (8)
17. Saatchi & Saatchi, London (8)
17. Saatchi & Saatchi Malaysia (8)
17. TBWA\ChiatDay, New York (8)
22. AMV/BBDO, London (7)
22. CLM BBDO, Paris (7)
22. George Patterson Y&R, Melbourne (7)
22. Grey Melbourne (7)
22. Razor Junior, Sydney (7)
22. Saatchi & Saatchi Australia (7)
28. Almap BBDO, Sao Paulo (6)
28. BMF, Sydney (6)
28. CHI&Partners, London (6)
28. Crispin Porter + Bogusky, Miami (6)
28. DDB South Africa (6)
28. M&C Saatchi, Melbourne (6)
28. VegaOlmosPonce, Buenos Aires (6)
28. Wieden + Kennedy, Portland (6)

BESTADS WORLD TVC COMPANY RANKINGS 2008
1. MJZ (15 points)
2. Hungry Man (13)
3. Sonny London (12)
4. Gorgeous (9)
4. Rattling Stick (9)
6. Smuggler (7)
7. Biscuit Filmworks (6)
7. Furlined (6)
7. Rebolucion (6)
9.  @radical.media (5)
9.  Exit Films (5)
9. Plaza Films (5)
9. Tool (5)
13. Anonymous Content (4)
13. Epoch Films (4)
13. Knucklehead (4)
13. Soft Citizen (4)
13. The Sweet Shop (4)
18. Blink (3)
18. HIS Productions (3)
18. La Pac (3)
18. Landia (3)
18. O Positive (3)
18. Paranoid (3)
18. Partizan (3)
18. Sons and Daughters (3)
18. Stink Films (3)
18. Velocity Films (3)

BESTADS WORLD CLIENT RANKINGS 2008
1. Volkswagen  (20 points)
2. Procter & Gamble (18)
3. TVNZ (14)
4. Amnesty International (11)
5. Adidas (9)
6. ESPN (8)
6. Microsoft (8)
6. Nike (8)
6. Pepsi  (8)
6. Toyota (8)
6. Unilever (8)
12. Axe (7)
12. Coca-Cola (7)
12. McDonald's (7)
12. Olympus (7)
16. Cadbury (6)
16. Ikea (6)
16. Renault (6)
16. World Wildlife Fund (6)

BESTADS RANKINGS 2008: TOP COUNTRIES
1. United States  (148 points)
2. Australia (146)
3. United Kingdom (134)
4. New Zealand (98)
5. South Africa (62)
6. Brazil (52)
7. Canada (42)
8. France (34)
9. Argentina (26)
9. Singapore (26)
11. Thailand (25)
12. Germany (24)
13. India (22)
13. Netherlands (22)
15. Malaysia (20)
16. Sweden (15)
17. Hong Kong (11)
18. Indonesia (10)
19. China (9)
20. Philippines (8)
20. United Arab Emirates (8)
22. Belgium (7)
23. Chile (6)
23. Italy (6)
23. Spain (6)
23. Switzerland (6)

Cannes Lions 2009 is now open for delegate registration.
In today’s economic climate business is tougher than ever. But creativity will make the difference. Join 10,000 delegates from 85 countries at Cannes Lions 2009 and be exposed to inspiration, creativity and learning from all over the world through exhibitions, screenings, seminars, workshops, listening to world-class speakers and meeting like-minded creative people.
Register here

It’s D&AD 2009 Awards entry time.
And with 17 In-book winners, 2 Nominations and 1 Yellow Pencil awarded to Australia in 2008, could 2009 be YOUR turn to take home a coveted D&AD Pencil? To see previous winners visit the D&AD Annual online.
300 Judges on 29 specialist Juries cover categories from Product Design to Mobile Marketing, TV and Cinema Advertising to Graphic Design.
Ralph Van Dijk of Eardrum is Foreman of the 2009 Radio Advertising Jury, and a further 5 Judges will be flying in from Australia.
Visit the Awards site to enter or for further information on Categories, Judges and prices: http://www.dandad.org/awards09
Entry deadline is Wednesday 21 January 2009.

The CB Blog is currently ranked #19 ad site in the world, as measured by traffic rankings from Alexa. Bestadsontv.com, owned by CB, is now at #16 in the world (up from #17). (Bestads is somewhat handicapped because, unlike the others, punters need to register - although free).
UK blog Scamp, run by Simon Veksner, a London-based copywriter, compiles the list each quarter, and said of CB: "The Australian ad site Campaign Brief makes its debut at No.19. If you have an interest in the land Down Under, or just like sparky ad blogs, I recommend it."

Applications to News Limited AWARD School will be available online from 16th January 2009.
News Limited AWARD School is a special course run by the Australasian Writers and Art Directors Association for people who want to become copywriters or art directors in advertising.
The application brief for this year’s News Limited AWARD School will be available to download from www.awardschoolonline.com on 16th January 2009, and will close on Friday, 30th January, 2009.
The 16-week part time course runs from March to July each year in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart. The course consists of a Monday evening lecture and Thursday evening tutorial. News Limited AWARD school invites lecturers and tutors from some of the most talented pool of people currently working in the industry. Previous lecturers include Jonathan Kneebone, Matt Eastwood, Steve Back and David Nobay. There is currently around 85% of creatives working in the industry who have completed the course.
The application brief will consist of questions that will require students to write ads. Applicants will have two weeks to complete their submission, and anyone can apply. All work must be submitted hand drawn this year, computer generated work will not be accepted. The names of successful applicants will be posted on the AWARD School website in early February.

Diary dates:
•    NSW information day Thursday 15th January at 6.30 pm
The Garvan Institute, 384 Victoria Street Darlinghurst
•    VIC information day Wednesday 14th January at 6:30 pm
Victorian College of the Arts, Federation Hall at
234 St Kilda Road, Southbank.
•    AWARD School Sydney start and finish dates: Thursday, 12th March - Thursday 2nd July 2009
•    AWARD School Melbourne start and finish dates:  Thursday 6th April – Thursday 23rd July 2009
•    AWARD School Brisbane, Perth, Hobart and Adelaide start and finish dates: Thursday 6th April – Thursday, 23rd July 2009

News Limited is the major sponsor of AWARD School and recognises that creativity today is essential to the communication process. Sponsorship of the AWARD School is built upon a commitment to nurture courage and foresight in creativity, by challenging the thinking of tomorrow’s creatives.