Communications Council in WA celebrates year of professional development and graduate entry

The Communications Council hosted Perth’s end of year celebration at The Urban Coeop last Thursday evening. 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 2015.

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

•  Louis Boys, Louis Boys.com – Strategic Planning

•  Hannah Wilson, Trilogy – Copywriting

•  Jodie Garner, Initiative Media – Media Planning & Buying

•  Matthew Kelly, Curtin University – Digital Strategy

•  Denise Siddons – Account Management

Continuing the theme of celebrating industry training, TCC WA Chairman Tony Scampoli also recognised the success of this year’s Graduate Program. Receiving over 80 registrations, the program offered 15 seats to the industry’s bridging program, Communications Essential aimed at empowering Graduates with practical knowledge to complement their university studies.

Danielle Norrish, State Manager, The Communications Council, said each week Graduates spent time with industry leaders learning about the core disciplines of the industry and agencies first hand.

“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, Block Branding, Gatecrasher, JWT, Marketforce, Meerkats and The Brand Agency.”

At the event, The Communications Council proudly announced the 6 Graduates placements for 2015:

•  Caitlin Baird (UWA) – Gatecrasher

•  Jez Reilly (Curtin) – Marketforce

•  Sarah Kappeler (Curtin) – Marketforce

•  Bianca Carnevale (UWA) – Meerkats

•  Camille Whitehead (UWA) – The Brand Agency

•  Katie Fewster (Curtin) – The Brand Agency

“All Graduates should be extremely proud of their achievements over the past 8 weeks,” said Norrish. “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 2014 as Jez Reilly.

Reilly recently graduated from the Curtin University with a Bachelor of Commerce, Marketing and Management. As the top Graduate of the 2014 Graduate Program, Jez is the recipient of the Ken Painter AdSchool Scholarship valued at $3,000 as well as receiving a full ticket to the 2015 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 Chairman 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.

(Photos thanks to Elements Margaret River. More photos on WAtoday here.)

Graduates (from left to right): Samantha Vincent, Craig Backshall, Sarah Fripp, Caitlin Baird, Jez Reilly, Bianca Carnevale, Sarah Kappeler, Katie Fewster, Florencia Mostaccio, Adam McGlashan, James Roddan, Jessica Williamson, Tom Smolarek.