Liz Polkinghorne, the Aussie expat writer of the ‘7th Wheel’ for Landrover via Y&R New York, yet another Miami Ad School success story
Liz Polkinghorne, a graduate of Melbourne University, worked as an account executive in Melbourne before discovering Miami Ad School.
She chose Miami Ad School Hamburg, settling for northern German delights like pickled herring and The Reeperbahn. Eight quarters, three internships at international locations, two stolen bikes and countless all nighters later, she graduated in 2009 with a diploma in copywriting and a beautiful handcrafted portfolio book. Tapping into the school’s network she landed a job in a few short weeks at Grey in NYC.
Eighteen months later, Y&R NYC came knocking and she jumped at the opportunity to work on global clients like Land Rover, Virgin Atlantic, Waldorf Astoria, Microsoft Advertising and Dell. Polkinghorne is the writer of the “7th Wheel” for Land Rover, which is this week’s top pick of the Bestads Top 6 of the Week.
Recently in Australia, Polkinghorne, pictured above with her creative partner Patrick Herold – a graduate of Miami Ad School Hamburg – met with Miami Ad School Sydney founder Helga Diamond discussing the exciting plans for the school’s opening this year. They also visited some of Australia’s top agencies, including GPY&R Melbourne, where they continued their research into the elusive ‘Agency Sponsored 5pm Friday Night Drink’ – the Australian concept they’d like to instill on hard working Madison Avenue.
When Miami Ad School Sydney opens in Sydney, it will be the 12th world city to house a Miami Ad School. Other schools are in Berlin, Buenos Aires, Hamburg, Istanbul, Madrid, Mexico City, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco and Sao Paulo.
The selective school has been ranked by the Gunn Report as ‘the best advertising school in the world’ for the past four years. Its students win more awards than graduates at any other top advertising school, the Clios, One Show, Andy’s, One Club, One Guns and many more. Its success is due to a cutting edge curriculum that is shaped and taught by leading advertising professionals.
Unlike other colleges, Miami Ad School offers a network of educational options and cultural experiences in most major advertising and design capitals in the world. Students have the chance to study advertising in the 12 different cities, learning the trends and styles in each culture. They also have the opportunity to study with creative directors across continents by Skype. ‘Greenhouses’, where students work and study at an advertising agency for a quarter, are also part of the curriculum. Agencies serve as a classroom for real-life experience. That experience is integral to a fully formed creative who is ready to work as soon as he or she graduates. The school offers greenhouse locations all over the world, from Amsterdam to Moscow, Chicago to Shanghai.
Miami Ad School Sydney will offer two vocational Diploma courses, Art Direction and Copywriting. The two-year courses are taught by working industry professionals.
Miami Ad School was founded in 1993 by Pippa and Ron Seichrist. The Sydney school is owned by Helga Diamond who was Professional Training Director with the Communications Council in her previous role.
5 Comments
Well done her, it’s a really lovely spot.
This young woman’s story is a lesson in how you become successful.
Burning bridges? This is not how you become successful.
Pretty sweet spot to get out as a junior. Especially at Y&R New York which isn’t the most creative shop in town. Congrats.
Great spot. Y&R NY also just did a nice film for Conrad’s partnership of the Tribeca Film Festival. I’d say they’re doing alright @niceone.
Love this spot!