APG Launches 2012 Planning Idol
Planning Idol, organised by the Account Planning Group, is back and looking for Australia’s next planning talent.
Planning Idol encourages young, talented planners, or prospective planners under 30 in Australia to apply themselves to a brief to solve a pressing social issue.
This year’s contestants will be tasked to create a breakthrough strategy for One Laptop per Child Australia, a charity headed up by Circus speaker Rangan Shrikhanta. One Laptop per Child’s mission is to enhance learning opportunities for children in remote communities.
Potential idols are asked to come up with a bold idea that will move people, business and the government to donate the funds to buy 400.000 laptops for Australian children by 2014.
Sudeep Gohil, Chairman of the APG said: “Ultimately we’re looking for smart young people with a strategic brain, who can make a real difference to brands and businesses. Our intention is to recognise and help grow those that can illustrate such high quality strategic thinking.”
“Rather than awarding past work, entering planning idol is a chance for forward thinking that can make a real difference to people’s lives.”
The 2011 Planning Idol winner will get the chance to attend the 2012 AAAA Planning Conference in the US, where planners from top advertising and marketing firms gather to discuss the state of the industry.
The competition includes a written entry followed by individual presentations from the finalists to a panel of planning directors.
The deadline for entry is August 15 and anyone under 30 can enter, regardless of whether they currently work in the industry, so long as they are a current APG member or sign up as an individual Communications Council member. More details as to word limit and rules of entry here.
Planning Idol is generously supported by Sandy Oldham consulting. The Call for Entry was launched with the help of the team from The Hallway.
Photo credits
Meredith Simpson (Runner Up – left) and Anna Barnwell (Winner – right) of Planning Idol 2009
1 Comment
Sounds like an exciting opportunity for a great cause.