The International Advertising Association (IAA) is offering hundreds of university students around Australia the opportunity to hone their communication skills and talents in a real world, career-ready experience that is essential training in the preparation of graduates for the transition from university into professional practice.

IAA ‘Big Idea’ 2015 launched today is Australia’s only national marketing communications challenge specially created for student teams from Australian universities and tertiary institutions with courses in advertising, marketing, media and communications to foster the professional development of the upcoming generation of communications practitioners, which is central to the IAA’s ongoing mission and commitment to education in the industry.

This year, RB – the Reckitt Benckiser group of companies – is support partner in this national competition.

Students will be asked to devise a marketing communications campaign for the not-for-profit charity organisation, Save the Children Australia.

Save the Children is the leading aid and development agency for children to protect and support children in need, saving lives in emergencies and standing up for children’s rights. Save the children works in 125 countries, as well as in Australia, to save the lives of millions of children each year and to give a better start in life to millions more.

“This is the 13^th year of the IAA Big Idea competition which aims to provide a hands-on, truly stimulating, career-ready learning experience for students, with a real client training project that will help equip them for their future careers and internships in the communications industry,” said IAA President and chair Heather Leembruggen.

“The students are asked to work in agency-style teams to develop a fully integrated communications solution – from the research stage to the creative concept, right through to the final presentation of their ‘Big Idea’ in response to the client brief. The winning ‘Big Idea’, as well as all the ideas submitted by the students, are made available to be implemented by the client.”

RB head of media Australia and New Zealand Rowena Newman said: “At RB we believe that it is the talent and passion of our people, combined with a unique company culture that sets us apart. For the last 10 years our graduate and internship programs have identified the very best graduates and turned them into RB leaders for the future.

“At RB big ideas are the life-blood of our success and we know that the next big idea can come as easily from a new graduate as from anywhere. We are delighted to be sponsoring the IAA Big Idea competition in 2015.”

Judging for IAA ‘Big Idea’ will be chaired by Ian Perrin, CEO of ZenithOptimedia with a panel of senior practitioners from key sectors of the marketing communications industry.