IAA Dentsu Global Student Poster Competition calls for entries

This is in support of the United Nations’ action on climate change

The International Advertising Association (IAA) has launched its annual student poster competition, which builds on the ‘responsibility’ thread of its mission. In recognition of the critical impact of environmental issues, this year’s theme is Climate Change. Student teams will be tasked with designing a poster urging individual action on climate change. This competition has been launched in support of the United Nations action on climate change and is made possible by a donation from Dentsu Inc.

The launch of the competition coincides with the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit hosted by Japan from July 7.

“The brief to the student teams is simple yet challenging – the posters need to raise awareness of the impact of climate change, especially among peer groups and, most importantly, motivate people to take action by bringing conservation friendly initiatives into their lives and workplaces,” says IAA’s chairman and world president, Indra Abidin, in an official communiqué.

“Climate change is one of the most critical global challenges of our time,” says Kiyo Akasaka, United Nations under-secretary-general for communications and public information. “We need urgent action now and young people are critical to making a difference. We need their energy, their creativity and their passion. I look forward to seeing the results of this important initiative.”

On Dentsu’s role in the scheme of things, Tateo Mataki, chairman and chief executive officer, Dentsu Inc., says in a press statement, “Dentsu takes the responsibility theme very seriously and is keen to be involved in projects such as these. We have had a long relationship with the IAA and are looking forward to contributing in our own way to the growth of a responsible global society.”

Entries are invited from students studying advertising and marketing communications and design courses across the globe. For application forms and submission procedures, visit the IAA website, www.iaaglobal.org.

The competition is based on regional judging (Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, West Asia and Africa, and the US/ Canada). The shortlisted regional winners will then proceed to the global judging stage, wherein a global winner will be announced in May 2009. The awards ceremony will be held in June 2009.

The judging for the regional and global stages will be conducted by a jury of senior creative officers and advertising experts, chaired by Marcio Moreira, vice-chairman, chief talent officer and global HR director, McCann Worldgroup. The awarded works will be showcased in posters, postcards, books, calendars and other communication materials in exhibitions around the world.

Together with IAA InterAd, this competition is part of the IAA’s Professional Development Programme and is designed to give students the opportunity to test their skills with a real world client case study.