JWT Advertising Workshop for Yr 9 & 10

CB Member Bob Boxer organised an amazing opportunity for RPA year 9 & 10 pupils to take part in a workshop organised by the world renowned advertising agency JWT. Below are his comments on the day.

I took a number of my JWT colleagues into RPA last week to run a workshop with 35 year 10 and year 9 pupils.  The session looked at how advertising works,  the type of careers available within the industry, and ways to break into the business.  But, the bulk of the session involved giving the kids a brief – we asked them to develop a product, pack design, TV ad and social media campaign for a chewing gum called ‘Mystery’.  We were with the group for nearly 6 hours, and I have to say I was blown away by the response we were given.  The kids were well behaved, attentive, smart, sharp and highly creative.  They listened intently to the presentations we gave, asked smart and probing questions and brought huge energy to the project work.  Each team made a short presentation in-front of their class mates and my team.  They all did very well and a couple of them included performances that were worthy of an Oscar!!   The winning team presented a very smart product idea that linked seamlessly with their packaging and advertising idea, which, for someone who tries to do that for a living, is never easy to achieve.  Two of the students made a particular impact on us during the day and we have invited them to come into  JWT next term for a period of work experience which they were  both very excited by. All in all a tremendous day, and for me a huge endorsement of the progress that Lesley and her team are making at the school.  I am now encouraging everyone I know locally to get into the school and see it in action, in whatever capacity they can.  Bob Boxer