Adfest brings D&AD to Asia

Adfest has announced that it is partnering with one of the most esteemed creative educational organisations in the world – D&AD – to host the 2010 Adfest+D&AD Academy in Thailand in March 2010.

The partnership aims to give creatives (aged under 30) in the Asia Pacific region the opportunity to start working on their career 'toolkit'.

Participants will have the opportunity to explore some of the issues behind developing their own creative career, encouraged by  talks from three advertising greats, Sir John Hegarty (worldwide creative director at BBH, London), Paul Brazier (president, D&AD and ECD at AMV BBDO) and Akira Kagami (executive officer & global ECD, Dentsu Inc).

“Since day one, almost 50 years ago, D&AD has been an advocate of education, and many of the world’s most revered creative people have taken part in our programs either as students or as professionals to further develop their skills. We’re looking forward to our co-operation with Adfest – it’s a step towards what we hope will be an increased presence for D&AD in the region,” says Tim O’Kennedy, chief executive at D&AD and former managing director at Wieden & Kennedy Amsterdam.

D&AD is an educational charity that aims to set the benchmark for creativity during the annual D&AD Awards.

This year, for the first time ever, D&AD will bring its educational expertise to Asia in an open session, giving creatives across the region the chance to learn from the world’s best.

“Adfest has always been passionate about nurturing creative talent in the region, and our partnership with D&AD represents the ultimate opportunity for young creatives to learn from the world’s most knowledgeable advertising experts right here in Asia,” says Jimmy Lam, president of Adfest.

O’Kennedy will host Adfest+D&AD Academy, which will take place on Thursday 18 March and Friday 19 March from 10am – 1pm. He will also present a Seminar at Adfest called, ‘It’s the End of the World as we know it… and I feel fine’ on Saturday 20 March at 11:15-12:00.

At the 2010 Adfest+D&AD Academy, two different groups of 30 creatives will take part in each session. Enrollment is open on a first-come-first-served basis to all registered delegates at Aafest 2010 who are aged under 30. The enrollment fee is 1,000 Baht per person.

To apply, applicants must fill in the Academy application form and submit proof of age along with their delegate number. Enrollment will be confirmed with a confirmation email from Adfest. Payment must be made at the registration desk upon picking up delegate badges at the Pattaya Exhibition & Conference Hall on Thursday 18 March 2010.