JWT, 5 varsities join for ad talent development
JWT Bangkok is teaming up with five universities to develop young talents in the advertising industry, while the agency next year will put more emphasis on digital media.
The marketing-communications agency has initiated this project, called “Spark the Future”, as corporate social responsibility (CSR) to mark the 150th anniversary of the establishment of parent firm JWT, then known as J Walter Thompson, in the United States.
This project is in collaboration with Chulalongkorn University, Thammasat University, Silpakorn University, Assumption University, and Bangkok University. The firm will contribute to the education and incubation of young talents by bringing professional advice and real-world experiences from the advertising industry to the classrooms.
In coordination with the five universities, managing director Parattajariya Jalayanateja said her agency would share experiences and case studies in the area of branding as well as experiences from national and international advertising awards events to complement theories offered in regular curricula.
The project also opens up an opportunity for the students to enter an internship programme at JWT Bangkok, allowing them to hone their knowledge and skills for a future career in advertising.
“It will be a continuing project, being implemented every year as a bona fide contribution of JWT that will spark future development of the advertising industry,” Parattajariya said.
Apart from this CSR strategy, the agency has prepared integrated approaches to work with its clients in order to respond promptly to the rapid changes in the digital era.
Bob Hekkelman, chief executive of JWT Southeast Asia and JWT Group Bangkok, said he believed in the power of brands and pioneering ideas. The company will work with clients and brands to develop integrated marketing communications strategies, especially branding via digital media, which has become increasingly influential today.
“This is the key principle celebrated by JWT offices worldwide, including Thailand,” Hekkelman added.
With the strong influence of digital media on consumer behaviour, JWT says it will work especially hard to equip its people with in-depth understanding of such media and their potential while consistently obtaining consumer insights to ensure effective brand communications.
