JWT Chief Strategy Officer Angela Morris to chair course; Saatchi & Saatchi Chief Strategy Officer Kate Smither to co-chair 3-day residential to run in Sydney, 2-4 September 2018.

Strategists must prepare for the post specialist era, and as such, place greater value on becoming a new breed of generalist who can connect the dots across specialisms through deep, yet broad insight. That is the message from industry leaders who have come together to shape this year’s agenda for The Communication Council’s 2018 IPA Strategic Planning course.

Kicking off in Sydney on September 2, the three-day residential course aims to define this new era of strategy and showcase the knowledge and skills that planners need to think in an agile, flexible and influential way.

The course will be chaired by J. Walter Thompson’s Chief Strategy Officer, Angela Morris. Angela is also Chair of the APG, on the Executive Committee for the Australian Effies and a former Board Director of The Communications Council. A multi-award winning planner, Angela is a regular judge for Strategic Planning and Effectiveness and Creative Awards.

“Knowledge has always been the strategists friend. Today more than ever though, we need constant learning on a diverse agenda to enable the perspective necessary to provide our clients with wise counsel and brilliant strategies,” Angela Morris said.

She will be accompanied by co-chair Saatchi & Saatchi Chief Strategy Officer, Kate Smither. Kate is one of the world’s most awarded strategists, recognised by all the major creative and effectiveness awards.

Kate Smither commented: “A brilliant planner once told me that good planners should always take the ‘wider view’. In an age where specialism and generalism are merging, being truly curious and truly equipped to take on this wider view with knowledge and enthusiasm has never been more important.”

The Communications Council CEO Tony Hale said: “Our IPA residential courses are renowned for attracting the best specialists in the business and inspiring the most curious of delegates. Over three intensive days, delegates will learn how to step beyond specialisms and explore the modern planning brain through small group sessions and one-to-one guidance from Angela, Kate and other renowned industry leaders.”

Course speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.The course is recommended for strategic planners, account managers and brand managers with at least five years experience.