Kitchen hand Daniel Rooke has the recipe for success at ADMA Creative School in Melbourne

English literature tutor and part-time kitchen hand Daniel Rooke has walked away with the Best in Class Award at the first-ever ADMA Creative School graduation party held last night at Campari House in Melbourne’s CBD.

Rooke, who has a Masters in English literature from Queen Mary University of London, showed he could cook up the best print ads, radio scripts and social campaigns during the eight-week course.

Says Rooke: “I’m definitely interested in becoming a copywriter but I was a bit daunted when I started at ADMA Creative School because everyone there was more ad savvy than I was.

“I was late coming to the graduation party because I was working at the restaurant in Northcote and just thought, I’ll come along for a quick drink at the end. They had already made the announcement that I had won best student and I was totally surprised when people came up and said, ‘hey, you’re late and you’ve won’.”

Says David Ponce de León, head tutor and creative director at McCann Melbourne: “Daniel worked hard and consistently produced great work. He’s shown the industry he’s a talented copywriter and he will no doubt land an internship pretty soon.”

Lee Forster, who works at MYOB, was chosen Best Copywriter by Creative School tutors and David Sacher, an architect, is the year’s Best Art Director.

Ponce de León was pleased with the overall standard of the 23 students who were enrolled in the program.

Says Ponce de León: “Overall I have to say the calibre of students was excellent. We were really pleased with their work and delighted to get so many students. We only expected eight to enrol in this first year. It says something about the marketing and advertising industry that so many people want to join it.”

Says Jodie Sangster, CEO, ADMA who attended the event: “Exceptional talent can spring from anywhere and we need programs that encourage people to consider a career in marketing and advertising.

“We have a skills shortage in Australia and agencies are crying out for young talent. That’s where Creative School can play a useful role in developing future talent for the industry. The school allows for upskilling junior staff or finding good people from other industries with the talent and drive to succeed.”

Agencies involved in ADMA Creative School Melbourne are Ogilvy Australia, Isobar Melbourne, CHE Proximity and Publicis Worldwide Australia/Cubed. McCann Melbourne hosts the Creative School lecture series.

(Pictured L-R: Lee Forster, Daniel Rooke and David Sacher celebrate at the 2014 ADMA Creative School graduation at Campari House in Melbourne)