Cannes Lions Roger Hatchuel Student Academy Shortlist For Australia Revealed

In 2020 Australia will be sending one student to attend the Roger Hatchuel Student Academy at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity and the initial shortlist has just dropped.

The Roger Hatchuel Student Academy was founded in 2003 and is a student learning programme designed to introduce students to the advertising industry and help kick-start their careers.

It is delivered in partnership with Google Creative Campus at Cannes Lions and is a six-day programme that takes place during the festival. This is the first time since 2014 that Australia will send a student.

This year’s student will be sponsored by GroupM Australia, meaning the place is open to any Australian student regardless of their ability to cover the costs.

Applications for the coveted spot on the programme opened in Australia in October 2019 and there were nearly 20 applications from a variety of institutions.

The Misfits, local representative for Cannes Lions, is organising the Australian competition.

Catriona Hay, general manager at The Misfits, commented, “The quality of the entries we received blew us away. It has been incredibly heartening to hear from students and the next generation of our industry who are highly intelligent, but also extremely passionate about their future careers in the creative communications industry.

“And a huge thank you to our sponsor GroupM who are enabling us to send a student from Australia for the first time in six years!”

Cindy Grass, GroupM Australia & New Zealand Chief HR and Talent Officer, says: “Personal and professional development is a major focus for GroupM, through our mGrad programme and continuous learning opportunities for our people.

“Encouraging graduates to embark on exciting careers in the incredible media, marketing and advertising industry is a must and we’re excited to help support young Australian talent fast track their careers through the Roger Hatchuel Student Academy at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity.”

Those shortlisted will now be required to create a two-minute video demonstrating who they are, how they are creative and why they deserve a space in the Academy.

A panel of industry judges including representatives from GroupM will then whittle down 10 to three who will be nominated to a global selection panel of five judges. The class of 2020 will be announced on 27 March 2020.

Without any further ado, meet the 10 shortlisted students for the 2020 Roger Hatchuel Student Academy:

Antonia Gangi – RMIT University

Field of Study: Professional Communication

“In 10 years I want to have honed down on my creative ability and be more aware of my strengths and weaknesses. I want to see what I offer be used for good, my skills shared for worthy causes and most importantly, be content.”

Emily Whitefield – University of Technology Sydney

Field of Study: Bachelor of Communications in Media Arts and Production

“In 10 years, I see myself as an advertising campaign manager within the media industry. I would be leading a passionate and dedicated team who believe that our workplace is positive and supportive of everyone’s ideas. One of the main aspects of creativity that I have learnt over the year is that no idea is not good enough because it can lead to the unimaginable.”

Juliet Shoebridge – University of Technology Sydney

Field of Study: Communication – major in advertising and digital and social media and a Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation

“I see myself being in a creative role which never fails to surprise me and keeps me on edge and always thinking. I know I do not see myself in a role of repetition and stability, I see the compete opposite.”

Lachlan Andrews – Western Sydney University

Field of Study: Communications

“I would like to look after a team and influence the strategic direction of a company and their marketing/communication plan.”

Melanie Philippou – University of Technology Sydney

Field of Study: Communications (majoring in Advertising & Social Media) & Transdisciplinary Innovation

“Without a doubt, in 10 years I want to be in a role where I can be innovating and creating, whether that be content or strategy. There is so much potential for where the advertising world can head and I aspire to be at the forefront of game-changing this industry in 10 years’ time.

Nakita Podreka – RMIT University

Field of Study: Bachelor of Communications Advertising

“The big aim in my career is to one day open up my own agency with an environment that is ethically friendly for my employees in an advertising industry that majorly makes individuals feel overworked, over exhausted and unmotivated.”

Sharon Li – RMIT University

Field of Study: Bachelor of Communications (Creative Advertising)

“I know without a doubt that I belong in the creative industry. I have had a part-time job since I was 11 years old, ranging from newspaper runner to hairdresser’s assistant, so I know what it is like to be somewhere you aren’t passionate about. For me, creating meaningful and fresh content is a non-negotiable. I want to be somewhere I am never comfortable, that fosters growth and is purpose driven in making a positive impact.”

Sydnie Kendall – RMIT University

Field of Study:  Bachelor of Communications (Advertising)

“I’m interested in copywriting and I hope in ten years that I’m working in this field, still developing my skills within a range of different briefs and problems. This is an incredible opportunity to start my 10-year journey.”

Will Mantesso – RMIT University

Field of Study: Advertising

“I love to travel so a position that sees me travelling the world would be incredible. In saying that, there’s some inspiring agencies based in Melbourne who I’d definitely love to work for, and I get a little home sick after a while, so Melbourne isn’t a terrible place to be based. So, in ten years: an industry job, a furniture catalogue to find another awards cabinet and a bit of travel still.”

Ziggy van Koeverden – University of Technology Sydney

Field of Study: Advertising, Creative Writing, Communications (and self-taught director)

“In my ideal world, I’ve terraformed the advertising market to a business model which caters to both traditional and modern markets. I will have built trusted relationships with a broad array of big brand clients making me confident I can approach any firm in the market. I have pitched and landed a Creative Campaign for Google’s new self-driving car.”

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Congrats, Ziggy! Very well-deserved.

byAlly Burnie

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1. Congrats, Ziggy! Very well-deserved.

2. Wow! Wish I could have recorded my reaction to getting shortlisted. Words cannot describe how thankful I am to Cannes Lions and GroupM for the opportunity!

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