First and Best Chance

 

Being talented means you are afflicted with a fear of being mediocre; of being 75 years old and looking back on your life with nothing more than an overwhelming sense of ambivalence.

If you want to take the first steps towards making sure you can look back in old age on a glittering career in the most creative, dynamic but demanding of industries, you should apply for the Omnicom Summer School.

Omnicom are offering you a 2 day residential Masterclass in Advertising and Communications on 30th and 31st August 2007.

It is going to be an intense few days. Some of the best agencies in the world will give you an overview of every major aspect of the industry. Some of the most talented young stars from the industry will take you through workshops designed to develop crucial industry skills. Add to this advice from some wise old hands and you will be in great shape for making an impact in this industry.

In short, this is your first and best chance to get a unique insight into this industry before you start thinking about jobs.

If you are going into your final year at university and want to apply, email your cv and a short essay (no more than 400 words) to Steve Roest at sroest@phd.co.uk. Your essay should answer the following question:

What is your favourite piece of communications?

Why is it your favourite? What elements of it are particularly strong? What do you think the aim of the communication is? Was it part of a wider campaign? If so, what role did it play?

This piece of communication doesn't have to be a TV ad; think about radio, posters, stunts, experiences, pr, direct marketing, mobile and last but not least, online. 

Closing date for applications: June 30th 2007 Extended to 7th July!

Date of Event: 30th and 31st August

Location: London - Omnicom will be paying for your accomodation

More things to note: You can ask any questions you have as comments - we will respond to the comments left here which means everyone can benefit from the answers.

On the left, you will find an ever growing list of agencies that are involved with the Summer School - check out their websites, their clients, their work as you may be spending quite a bit of time with them.

Finally, there are some links to some useful sites for people interested in learning more about communications.

Good Luck!

Comments

[Alex Snelling]

Working in a related industry to advertising, I often meet students who are keen to get into marketing or business but just don't understand enough about it to be effective when they are interviewing. Initiatives like the summer school give you the chance to get a head start and those key off-the-record insights that can be really valuable. I thoroughly recommend you apply for the summer school - good luck !

Alex Snelling
Recruitment Director
L'Oreal UK

[Steve]

Thanks Alex, support is much appreciated - you never know, some of Summer School candidates might end up in agencies that work for L'Oreal!

Steve

[Sam]

Hi Steve, will there be some kind of interview after the initial application?

[Steve]

Hi Sam,

We are currently waiting to see what the standard of applications is.

There is certainly no intention to do face to face interviews, due to the logistical work involved and the fact that applicants may be scattered far wide throughout the land.

There may be a need to do telephone interviews but these will be decided on a case by case basis.

Hope this answers your question.

Have a good bank holiday weekend one and all,

Steve

[Ollie]

Hey, how is it decided who gets a place? thanku in advance..

[Steve]

Hi Ollie,

Thanks for your question. We intend to look at the CV of the applicants and their short essay on a piece of communications to determine who the most suitable candidates are for the Summer School.

We are looking for people with passion, enthusiasm and drive who are also capable of discussing advertising and communications in a logical, thoughtful and interesting way.

I hope this answers your question.

Many thanks,

Steve Roest

[Gra]

Hi. I'm really interested in applying for the summer school and have a few questions about applying.

Firstly, is Summer School @ Omnicom a new inititiate, or is a an annual set-up?

Secondly, How many applicants do you typically receive for Summer School (or if yes to above, how many do you expect to receive?)

Thirdly, How many places are there available on the Summer School program?

and lastly, ( and most importantly to me ) is it a MUST that the applicant be in their final year of university. I am a second year student, who will be entering into their final year in September, but am really very keen to apply. The outlined description does not clarify this.

Thanks! Gra

[Steve]

Hi Gra,

Thanks for your comment. Apologies for any confusion.

We hope that the Summer School becomes an annual event - this year is our first year, so we are very keen to make it a success for all involved - students, agencies and Omnicom itself.

In terms of number of places, we do not have a fixed number, but we anticipate somewhere between 20 and 30 people being invited to come along and take part.

However, the quality of candidates will dictate the number of people we accept.

Finally and most importantly, you are exactly the kind of person we are looking for - students going from their second year into their final year.

I look forward to reading your application!

Good Luck!

Cheers

Steve Roest

[Hitomi]

Hi,steven.as a international student study advetising in UK,can we apply this summer school?Thanks a lot.

[Steve]

Of course you can apply, as long as you will be in the country for the dates of the Summer School - the agencies involved in the Sumemr School are global agencies.

Therefore even if you aren't eligible to work in the UK, it is always in our best interests to keep an eye open for talented individuals for the benefit of the international offices of Omnicom agencies.

I look forward to reading your application.

[zero]

Hi Steve,

I have herd about your summer school and would like to ask;

I am a first year student and keen to participate with your 2 day summer school. Would it be possible even though you have clarified a similar quetion to another user please.

Thank You

Regards
Vilac

[Steve]

Hi Vilac,

Thanks for your question - although we are aiming this summer school at students who are, or will soon be looking for jobs.

We will however consider all applications, as in some cases it may be worth making an exception to this rule.

I would make it very clear in your email when you apply what your situation is.

Have a good weekend,

Steve

[Anupah]

Hi steve,

just wondering if there's some sort of tuition fee for this summer school. And secondly, how much are you expected to know about the ins and outs of media and advertising before hand?

regards
Anupah

[Steve]

Hi Anupah,

Thanks for your message. There are no significant costs associated with the Summer School for students - Omnicom is paying for your accomodation and there are no tuition fees or any such thing, and also laying on lunch both days.

To your second question, the idea of the Summer School is to provide students with an insight into the media and advertising industry they wouldn't be able to get elsewhere.

We do not necessarily expect you to have an in depth knowledge of the industry, but we do expect you to demonstrate a passion and drive to learn more about the industry.

This passion should be reflected in your essay.

I hope this answers both your questions.

Many thanks,

Steve Roest

[Amanda Panto]

I will be out of the country on the dates of the summer school although am extremely interested in it. Are there any alternative open days or schools of a similar nature? Thank you

[Emma]

Hi Steve - sorry another similar question! I have just finished my 3rd year and I am about to graduate in July - would you still consider me for the Summer School, I would really like to apply!

Thanks!

Emma

[Steve Roest]

Hi Emma and Amanda,

Apologies for not replying sooner - I have been at Glastonbury and have only just returned to civlisation!

Amanda, we are looking to run further summer schools after the one in August - keep your eyes open for further information about this after August.

Emma, one of the main aims of the Summer School is to talk to students who are looking to start work in the Advertising and Communications industry in the near future. Therefore we will consider your application - Good Luck, I look forward to reading it.

Have a good evening,

Steve Roest

[Rebecca Larkin]

Dear Steve,

I would love to apply for the Summer School but have to attend a wedding on the 1st September (family!!). Could you let me know approximately what time the course will be finishing on the 31st so I know if it's feasible for me to apply or not?

Many thanks,

Rebecca

[Steve]

Hi Rebecca,

Thanks for your comment. We anticipate that the Summer School will finish around 6pm on the 31st August. If this fits with your plans, I would urge you to apply - we are in the process of finalising some more agencies and the line up is looking very exciting.

I look forward to reading your application,

Steve Roest

[Youssri Jalaber]

Dear Steve,

I am thrilled to apply for your summer school scheme. 2 days learning more than ever about advertising while enhancing its professional network is brilliant! I just wanted to know when and how shall we be expecting a response to our application?

Many thanks in advance,

Youssri

[Steve]

Hi Youssri,

Thanks for your question. We will respond to thank you for your application as soon after we receive it as possible.

In terms of letting applicants know whether they have been successful, we will attempt to do this as soon as possible after the deadline, which has now been extended to 7th July. we anticipate letting people know within a couple of days as to whether they have been successful.

I hope this answers your questions, I look forward to reading your application.

Many thanks,

Steve Roest

[Jenna]

Dear Steve,

I am very excited about applying for the Summer School; it's such a fantastic oppportunity to learn some vital skills from the advertising experts! I was in the process of completing my application and now discover that I have a further week before the deadline!

Quick question: will accommodation be provided the night before the Summer School begins or only on the night of 30th August? The reason I ask is that I live in Carlisle and, therefore, wouldn't be able to make it down to London for a morning start on 30th.

Many thanks in advance,

Jenna

[Steve]

Hi Jenna,

Thanks for your comment.

We had not intended to offer accomodation on the night preceding the Summer School, although we are discussing whether in special circumstances this may be possible.

Are you absolutely sure there are no trains from Carlisle to London early in the morning on 30th August? I appreciate it might be an early start but as you say, it is a great opportunity and it would be a shame to miss out.

Another option would be to stay with a friend or relative in London.

My advice would be if you are still keen on coming to the Summer School, apply but explain your circumstances in your application. We can then discuss the issues at hand.

Have a good weekend,

Steve Roest

[Katie]

Dear Steve,
I have just been on a short holiday to Portugal (a much needed break after just completing my final year at uni) and came back late this evening to see this deadline for 7th July. As I am very keen on a career in advertising I have sent you an essay and CV but it was sent just after 12am. Would you be prepared to consider my application seeing as I am literally minutes past the stroke of 12?

If you could let me know the situation on this I would be very grateful.

Many thanks,

Katie

[Steve]

Hi Katie,

In advertising you often find yourself working right up until the deadline - I think it would be mighty unfair to reject your application because you were a couple of minutes late.

We will consider your application along with all the rest.

Thanks for applying,

Many thanks,

Steve