The Communications Council WA celebrates industry education with AdSchool Graduation and announcement of Graduate Program placements

The Communications Council last Thursday night hosted Perth’s end of year celebration at The Brown Fox.

Attended by over 150 advertising industry professionals the event acknowledged the achievements in industry training and professional development with AdSchool’s Industry Distinction Awards supported by Fairfax Media and the announcement of Perth’s Graduate Program placements for 2014.

Presented by Fairfax Media State Manager Marnie McKeown the awards, recognised the commitment and excellence of the following recipients:

•     Steven Peles, 303Lowe – Communications Essentials

•     Gabby Mannella 3Geeks – Strategic Planning Principles

•     Jakub Dammer, Messages On Hold – The Creative Process

•     Emma Williamson, Initiative Media – Media Mechanics

•     Roza Loskoski, Lycopodium- Exploring Digital

•     Paula Truscott – Copywriting

•     Heidi Smith, Trilogy – Art of Account Management

Continuing the theme of celebrating industry training, TCC Vice Chairman Colin Mackay-Coghill also recognised the success of the newly structured Graduate Program launched in May this year. Receiving over 80 registrations, the program offered 16 seats to the industry’s bridging program, Communications Essentials, aimed at empowering Graduates with practical knowledge to complement their university studies.

Danielle Norrish, State Manager, The Communications Council, said the graduates had also spent time with industry leaders.

“Over the past 8 weeks Graduates have spent 1 night a week at one of each of the 7 agencies participating in the program, including 303Lowe, Gatecrasher, Longtail, Marketforce, Meerkats, The Brand Agency and Trilogy, learning about the core disciplines of the industry and the agencies first hand.”

At Thursday’s industry event, The Graduate Program Lead and Managing Partner of SHEDcsc René Migliore proudly announced the 8 Graduates placements for 2014:

•     Mitchell Crowe-Hardy (UWA) – 303Lowe

•     Ashley Miller (UWA) – Gatecrasher

•     Denise Siddons (ECU) – Longtail

•     Sophie Honey (Curtin) – Marketforce

•     Andrew Doyle (ECU) – Marketforce

•     Andrea Bradbury (UWA) – Meerkats

•     Darcy White (UWA) – The Brand Agency

•     Michelle Thompson (Murdoch) – Trilogy

“All Graduates should be extremely proud of their achievements over the past 8 weeks,” said Migliore. “The program gave the Graduates an insight into the world of communications which will give them a competitive advantage in starting their careers.”

The Communications Council also recognised the top student of The Graduate Program for 2013 as Darcy White.

White recently graduated from the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Arts Communications Studies and Bachelor of Commerce. As the top Graduate of the 2013 Graduate Program, Darcy is the recipient of the Ken Painter AdSchool Scholarship valued at $3,000 as well as receiving a full ticket to the 2014 Emergence Creative Festival in Margaret River.

The late Ken Painter ran AdSchool in Perth for the Advertising Federation of Australia (AFA) which is now The Communications Council for over 10 years. He was a father figure, mentor and friend to countless students and assisted many in starting their career. Ken passed away in 2009 after an unexpected illness, Western Australia’s Council member agencies and The Communications Council created this Scholarship in his memory, the industry see the scholarships alignment with the Graduate Program as a positive way to recognise and reward.

“This is a truly valued industry program,” said Tony Scampoli, TCC WA Chair and Managing Director of Gatecrasher. “It breaks the mould for the stereotypical graduate program and ensures that both agency and graduates get to know one another before selection. Our agency was delighted to be part of the program and found it a valuable exercise in recognising new industry talent.”

For more information regarding the Graduate Program or the Communications Council, please visit communicationscouncil.org.au

Photography supplied courtesy of Matthew Tompsett, Fairfax Media.