DMA starts search for industry’s best new talent
The quest to find the most outstanding new talent in direct marketing in the UK has begun with the launch of this year’s DMA Young Spark Award.
Now in its fifth year, the award is given to the most outstanding new talent from an agency, supplier or client company across digital, direct, interactive or mobile marketing. Nominees must have worked in the industry for less than five years.
Entrants will be judged by a panel of experts including Chris Arnold, founder and director of Creative Orchestra; Gary Smith, partner at Hush; Maxine Reynolds, head of direct marketing, sales and legacies at Macmillan Cancer Support; and Chris Sherlock, marketing director at Equifax. The award, together with a prize fund of £1,000, will then be presented on 13 November at the DMA Scotland Ball. As well as taking on the title of ‘Young Spark’, the winner will also benefit from the help of a top industry mentor who will provide invaluable advice and support for the entire year.
The award was launched in Scotland in 2005 in memory of John Young, former WWAV Rapp Collins Edinburgh managing director, who died two years ago at the age of just 38. John was recognised as one of direct marketing’s foremost practitioners and the DMA was keen to honour his achievements with an award which encourages new talent and a new generation of direct marketers.
During his career as a direct marketer, John ran Wunderman in Amsterdam, was Joint MD of Claydon Heeley in London and set up CHJM’s Asian operation out of Beijing, before returning to Scotland to head up WWAV Rapp Collins in Edinburgh.
Created by Hush, the Young Spark 2009 campaign focuses on people who will one day become the ‘top dogs’. Ian White from Hush comments:
“The imagery used has been designed to cut through the clutter whilst allowing a fun and edgy tone of voice to be introduced, with recipients being challenged to show the judges that their potential Young Sparks are ‘the mutt’s nuts’. The work looks to underline the importance of developing and celebrating talent in the direct marketing industry, whilst having fun – both of which were important to John.”
For further information and to download an entry form, go to: www.youngsparkaward.com
