AWARD Uni

You’ll cover 12 topics in six sessions over three weeks.

• Each session comprises of two distinct, ‘counterpoint’ lessons, mirroring the sometimes ambiguous nature of agency life, where absolutes don’t always apply. 
• Hands-on learning, interaction and analysis to help you arrive at your own conclusions about the best path forward in any given situation.
• Each subject is supported by an actionable five-point framework on what and how to implement the lessons you’ve just learned.

WORKSHOP SESSIONS & TOPICS

SESSION 1 & 2
(part of This Way Up)

Tuesday August 13, 3pm, in-person at MCA Sydney
(directly after speaker sessions)

• Judging work:
  How to better judge others’ work to help you better judge your own.
• Acting like an expert:
  How to reframe your role from advertising creative to a professional that clients appreciate, respect and trust.

Wednesday August 14, 3pm, in-person at MCA Sydney
(directly after speaker sessions)

• The power of presenting:
  The impact of not what you present but how you present, engaging the audience and creating enthusiasm and momentum around work using the power of the ‘show’.
• You can’t ask that:
  This is a safe space for all those deep dark questions you’ve wanted to ask at work but were afraid to. See experienced creative leaders give you perspectives you didn’t think you’d hear.

SESSION 3 & 4

Tuesday August 20, 6:30pm
(virtual workshop)

• How to sell an unconventional idea:
  Learn techniques to make ideas, that don’t follow a well-trodden path, more buyable and more understandable by those who aren’t in the creative department.
• Tangible ways to know you’re moving up:
  Learn how to recognise that you’re moving in the right direction and when you’re not. Discover the body language of an agency in letting you know you’re on the right path.

Wednesday August 21, 6:30pm
(in-person Sydney & Melbourne)

• Collaboration, what’s that all about:
  How to work with people for better results and to grow your own career and profile.
• Let’s not make it awkward – conflict resolution:
  Find out more about the secret ingredient of all collaboration – learning how to resolve conflicts and turn them into positives for the project.

SESSION 5 & 6

Tuesday August 27, 6:30pm
(virtual workshop)

• How to make the most of a banger:
  You’ve cracked a great idea, it’s approved. Now what do you do to make sure it’s everything you want and need it to be.
• Knowing the brief behind the brief and why:
  Develop an understanding of the real ‘why’ behind any task you’ve been given. It can be the biggest creative and career unlock of all.

Wednesday August 28, 6:30pm
(in-person Sydney & Melbourne)

• Working with production:
  Making great work is a partnership. Learn from both sides of the production-agency relationship about how to get the best out of each other.
• The power of delusional optimism:
  Why optimism is contagious and why it’s the fuel for getting work made and keeping yourself and teams motivated.

For reference, 2023 topics and mentors listed below:

• Judging work – Jonathan Kneebone
• How to sell an unconventional idea to a client – Jeff Goodby
• Planning for the career you want – Mandie van der Merwe
• Learning collaboration – Barb Humphries & Loren Bradley
• Acting like an expert – Julian Schreiber & Tom Martin
• Working remotely – Hilary Badger
• Complainers remain that way – Psembi Kinstan
• How to make the most out of a banger – Avish Gordhan
• Staying fresh – Alex Derwin
• Being strategic with your portfolio – Esther Clerehan
• Progression vs achievement – Ryan Fitzgerald
• What’s the deal with mentors? – Paul Nagy

Supercharge your creative career by Sarah McGregor

Where have all the ‘soft skills’ gone? by Julian Schriber