InMobi group sales manager Danni Hudson wins IAA + Adobe Write Your Future travel scholarship

The International Advertising Association (IAA), in conjunction with Adobe, have announced the winner of the IAA ‘Write your Future’ 2016 travel scholarship, an Australia-wide competition for young marketing communications professionals aged 30 and under.

Danni Hudson (centre), InMobi group sales manager, has won the top prize of an all expenses paid trip to the IAA World Congress, to be held in Abu Dhabi on November 13 to 15 with travel courtesy of Active International Australia.

Hudson was selected from a group of three finalists, including Elizabeth Myhill, communications planner, Ikon Communications Melbourne and Sam Ayre, senior account manager, Clemenger BBDO Melbourne.

IAA ‘Write Your Future’ aims to foster professional development of young talent in the marketing, advertising and media industries, and further their careers in the industry.

This year’s theme focused on how ‘Millennial Marketers’ are reimagining marketing.

Says Russel Howcroft, chair of Judges and executive general manager at Network TEN: “The IAA’s initiative to create a competition for Australian young media, agency, and marketing professionals to write and record their version of the future had a terrific participation rate and some high quality submissions. The finalists demonstrated a passion for the industry, some original thinking and a willingness to put in the effort demanded by the IAA competition. Congratulations to all involved.”

Says Paula Parkes, director of marketing, APAC digital marketing, Adobe: “Adobe recognises the importance of providing experiences to develop tomorrow’s talent. The IAA ‘Write Your Future’ submissions highlighted the importance of harnessing the power of content marketing, mobile strategy and the Internet of Things as part of an holistic marketing strategy. The display of creativity and original thinking was really a testament to the future marketing and communications leaders in Australia.”

Says Heather Leembruggen, IAA president and chair: “The IAA World Congress attracts more than 1,200 delegates from around the world and this year’s theme is ‘Breaking Boundaries’. This event provides a once in a lifetime learning experience for the winner and is a unique opportunity to participate in the premier marketing communications event in the world – a forum of authoritative opinions, stimulation, motivation and exchange of ideas with industry leaders and experts of global standing. I would also like to thank Adobe for sponsoring this important initiative.”

The panel of five judges, chaired by Russel Howcroft, also included Adobe director of marketing, APAC digital marketing Paula Parkes; News Corp head of commercial innovation Nic Hodges; VivaKi Australia managing director Sarah Keith; and M&C Saatchi chief strategy officer Justin Graham.

The winning submission can be viewed here.

(Picture 1 L-R: Elizabeth Myhill, Danni Hudson and Sam Ayre. Picture 2 L-R: Nic Hodges, Sarah Keith, Heather Leembruggen, Danni Hudson, Justin Graham, Paula Parkes and Cameron Swann)