ADMA has awarded Daniel Rooke the Best In Class Award at the Creative School graduation party at Campari House in Melbourne’s CBD.

Rooke showed he could cook up the best print ads, radio scripts and social campaigns during the eight-week course.

“I’m definitely interested in becoming a copywriter but I was a bit daunted when I started at ADMA Creative School because everyone there was more ad savvy than I was,” recalled Rooke.

“I was late coming to the graduation party because I was working at the restaurant in Northcote and just thought, I’ll come along for a quick drink at the end. They had already made the announcement that I had won best student and I was totally surprised when people came up and said, ‘hey, you’re late and you’ve won’.”

“Daniel worked hard and consistently produced great work. He’s shown the industry he’s a talented copywriter and he will no doubt land an internship pretty soon,” said head tutor, David Ponce de León, creative director at McCann Melbourne.

Lee Forster, who works at MYOB, was chosen Best Copywriter by Creative School tutors and David Sacher, an architect, is the year’s Best Art Director.

Ponce de León was pleased with the overall standard of the 23 students who were enrolled in the program.

“Overall I have to say the calibre of students was excellent. We were really pleased with their work and delighted to get so many students. We only expected eight to enrol in this first year. It says something about the marketing and advertising industry that so many people want to join it,” he added.

“Exceptional talent can spring from anywhere and we need programs that encourage people to consider a career in marketing and advertising,” added Jodie Sangster, ADMA CEO, who attended the Melbourne event.

“We have a skills shortage in Australia and agencies are crying out for young talent. That’s where Creative School can play a useful role in developing future talent for the industry. The school allows for upskilling junior staff or finding good people from other industries with the talent and drive to succeed.”

Agencies involved in ADMA Creative School Melbourne are Ogilvy Australia, Isobar Melbourne, CHE Proximity and Publicis Worldwide Australia/Cubed. McCann Melbourne hosts the Creative School lecture series.