2011 APG Planning Idol winners announced in Sydney – Hayley Parker from Meerkat’s receives a Highly Commended distinction

Alex Ryan’s winning strategy was rewarded at the APG Award Presentation at Sydney’s Ruby Rabbit last night, with more than 90 industry players in attendance.

He is pictured with Sandy Oldham and Sudeep Gohil at the announcement.

Seventeen finalists contested the APG Planning Idol title with final presentations made this week to a panel of judges including Rangan Srikhanta, CEO of One Laptop per Child (OLPC) Australia. The judges were unanimous in nominating Ryan for the top honour.

This year’s contestants were tasked to create a strategy for OLPC Australia. Srikhanta  joined the judges in congratulating the winners.

“One Laptop per Child Australia is delighted to see the APG Planning Idol come on board to tackle our organisation’s challenge of raising awareness of the critical need for educational technology provisions for remote Australia students” said Srikhanta. The finalists demonstrated an excellent understanding of the challenge and I was impressed with the depth of the research and strategic insights they showed. Alex’s solution provided strong insight and a creative and unique approach.”

Ryan’s strategy capitalised on dormant loyalty reward points to unlock funds for OLPC Australia, working around the insight that people’s capacity to care is limited by their capacity to give financially.  He has won a trip to the 4A’s Strategy Festival in the US in 2012, the 2011 Festival is being held this month in New York.  

Catherine Mellon (Droga5) and Hayley Parker (Meerkats) both received a highly commended distinction for their approaches, which demonstrated well articulated strategies, robust research and measurement considerations.

Sudeep Gohil, APG Chairman said: “We were really pleased to see so many entrants this year, including many from non planning backgrounds. The standard was high and the winning papers all demonstrated a clear strategic idea at the heart of the solution, with a strong platform for creative executions. He added: “The aim of the Idol program is to build awareness of the role of planning and hopefully inspire a few bright young minds to join the discipline. Well done to all the entrants and thanks to their agencies and colleagues for supporting them.”

The aspiring Idols faced a panel of judges including Rangan Srikhanta and Sudeep Gohil, in addition to Sandy Oldham (Sandy Oldham), Howard Parry-Husbands (Pollinate), Ryan Richards (DDB), Anna Barnwell (BMF & previous Idol winner) and Naren Sanghrajka (Droga5).

This year’s Idol had 52 entrants from five states, and 17 finalists. Entrants faced the following challenge:

There are over 300,000 primary school-aged children living in remote parts of Australia who do not have access to opportunities many of us take for granted. Sadly, as our modern society becomes more connected – the gap grows wider still. Remote children lack the opportunity, not the capacity to learn. One Laptop per Child Australia, is helping these children engage in their own education and connect to a wider body of knowledge by providing them with a purpose built XO laptop for learning. The challenge is not just in highlighting OLPC Australia has a solution to this problem, but in moving people, businesses and/or Government to actively give their support.