Dan O’Brien takes home top honours at ADMA’s 2016 Creative School Graduation in Sydney
It was a notable evening for a close-knit group of agency folks, as a new intake of creatives were welcomed into the industry at ADMA’s Creative School Sydney 2016 graduation ceremony. Daniel O’Brien (left), an art director at George P. Johnson, was all smiles when it was announced that he had been awarded “Best in Class”, beating 16 of his classmates to take home the coveted title.
The celebrations which took place at CBD Hotel in Sydney also saw Jenny Tao and Louisa Saddington coming in first and second runner up respectively and two other students Julie Murace and Stephanie Allen being highly commended by the judges.
Says Leo Bajzert, a creative director with over 18 years of experience and the head tutor of the 10-week Creative School program in Sydney: “I’ve always said I wished ADMA Creative School had been around when I started out. The tutors and lecturers are some of the most talented and experienced the industry has to offer. And students continue to get jobs in the industry at a rate we’re very proud of.
“In an incredibly tight field, the consistency of Daniel’s smart creative thinking set him apart. He handled each creative challenge deftly, and he’s clearly got what it takes to hit the ground running in today’s increasingly data-driven creative environment.”
Says Jodie Sangster, CEO, ADMA who hosted the graduation ceremony: “Highly talented creatives are still very much sought after by agencies across the region and ADMA’s Creative School provides graduates with an amazing opportunity to get their foot in the door and let their creative talents shine through.
“We’re very proud of our graduates, who usually go on after to produce some of the most effective and creative campaigns in Australia. These students are being mentored by leaders in their fields, who are extremely capable in shaping raw talent and helping them get their work recognised by their peers.”
Pictured L-R: Andres Pinto, Daniel Rammal, Daniel O’Brien, Michael Nikotin (Art Director for MercerBell), Callum Orr, Shelley Dodd (Copywriter for MercerBell), Jenny Tao, Farren Esman.
3 Comments
Fuck yes !
This pisses me off. Why is an experienced art director, working at an agency, competing with kids at creative school? Isn’t it for young people? We need new people through the door. Diversity.
It’s no surprise he won. Shame on ADMA.
Dear Shame on ADMA,
Your perspective is absolutely wrong.
1. The winner IDEAS were excellent, it doesn’t mean that the new players were super good too.
2. Having experienced and competitive students improves the standard, makes the new ones even better
3. if you haven’t done the course I would strongly suggest to shut the pie hole. (based on your comment I assume that you haven’t),
4. not only we need new people through the door, we also need the existing people to keep improving their skills. and if an experienced art director is participating in the course shows commitment to the profession and also the courage to test yourself among your colleagues,
Observation: criticism behind a pseudonym = chicken shit