Advertising Scholar
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
I'm a little peeved. Call it sour grapes, call it whatever you want.. but to the people who understands what I am about to say, I'm sure they will be too. First off, a little background..
Sorab Mistry (the EVP of Asia Pacific for McCann Erickson) recently started a program called, Talent Draft Initiative, where it hopes will fill the lack of depth in the local advertising pool. Top graduates, after a selection process, will be offered a job with the sponsoring companies. They include: McCann Erickson, O&M and TBWA, to name a few. These students will be with the companies for 2 years, with a guaranteed salary of $2000. They will then go through a training program developed by Mistry with the IAS and obtain an IAS Professional Diploma in Advertising. According to Mistry, Singapore is experiencing a "decreasing number of talents across all advertising disciplines" and a distinct "lack of young ad savvy locals". (Read all about it HERE)
Now, what am I pissed off about? That this is absolutely fucking bullshit. Off the top of my head, I know at least a dozen people who could use a job in the industry. No offence to Mistry, I don't think a program or a "talent draft initiative" is needed, people like you merely have to open your eyes (and heart) to know that everyday, people like me are trying to get into the industry.
Damn, let's not even talk about getting a foot in the industry, some of us are trying to get our damn toes in first! I have looked for one bloody year before someone decided to give me an opportunity, my friend has been told, "you're not good enough." I have friends looking, every single day.. what? No talents? I can't say we're the best, but I have absolute faith that if you give us a chance, we will work our asses off at becoming the best.
Maybe, just maybe, Mistry is looking for a quick fix... maybe he is looking for an advertising scholar. Top of class = top creative. Is it really that simple? Advertising genius Bill Bernbach once said, "I warn you against believing, that advertising is a science."
I'm not sure what I'm angry about anymore. Is it because we weren't given the same opportunities? Probably. Is it because I believe that this isn't the best way to look for talents? Probably. I just don't know what to feel anymore when advertising isn't about passion and lots of hard work, and people who truly wants it has doors slammed into their faces even before they could say, "Let me try."
Let me know I'm not the only one feeling this way.. that I think something is seriously wrong.. somewhere.
Sorab Mistry (the EVP of Asia Pacific for McCann Erickson) recently started a program called, Talent Draft Initiative, where it hopes will fill the lack of depth in the local advertising pool. Top graduates, after a selection process, will be offered a job with the sponsoring companies. They include: McCann Erickson, O&M and TBWA, to name a few. These students will be with the companies for 2 years, with a guaranteed salary of $2000. They will then go through a training program developed by Mistry with the IAS and obtain an IAS Professional Diploma in Advertising. According to Mistry, Singapore is experiencing a "decreasing number of talents across all advertising disciplines" and a distinct "lack of young ad savvy locals". (Read all about it HERE)
Now, what am I pissed off about? That this is absolutely fucking bullshit. Off the top of my head, I know at least a dozen people who could use a job in the industry. No offence to Mistry, I don't think a program or a "talent draft initiative" is needed, people like you merely have to open your eyes (and heart) to know that everyday, people like me are trying to get into the industry.
Damn, let's not even talk about getting a foot in the industry, some of us are trying to get our damn toes in first! I have looked for one bloody year before someone decided to give me an opportunity, my friend has been told, "you're not good enough." I have friends looking, every single day.. what? No talents? I can't say we're the best, but I have absolute faith that if you give us a chance, we will work our asses off at becoming the best.
Maybe, just maybe, Mistry is looking for a quick fix... maybe he is looking for an advertising scholar. Top of class = top creative. Is it really that simple? Advertising genius Bill Bernbach once said, "I warn you against believing, that advertising is a science."
I'm not sure what I'm angry about anymore. Is it because we weren't given the same opportunities? Probably. Is it because I believe that this isn't the best way to look for talents? Probably. I just don't know what to feel anymore when advertising isn't about passion and lots of hard work, and people who truly wants it has doors slammed into their faces even before they could say, "Let me try."
Let me know I'm not the only one feeling this way.. that I think something is seriously wrong.. somewhere.
