AOD joins forces with ad industry

The recently launched Ad-Creative scholarship for advertising professionals, was declared open for applications by AOD (Academy of Design) Sri Lanka’s international design campus and International Advertising Association (IAA) Sri Lanka Chapter.

Many Advertising veterans applauded the AOD and IAA for setting up Ad-Creative scholarship and integrating the currently essential component of international standard training, to the local advertising sector.

Lowe LDB Founder and CEO Lilamani Benson said, “It’s great to see yet another initiative by AOD. I know AOD as an institute that has pioneered creative education in Sri Lanka.” She also commended AOD’s impressive program curriculum that was presented at the event and said that it shows how AOD produces professionals who’re in demand within the industry.

Ad-Creative aims to elevate local advertising industry standards by offering international degree education in visual communication. The undergraduate program offered through this scholarship is, a direct degree from the Northumbria University School of Design in UK. Northumbria design school is ranked among the top five design schools in entire Europe (by the Business Week magazine) and is renowned for producing world-famous designers. AOD offers this award winning Northumbria program with the same curriculum and international standards. This BA (Hons) program will be delivered by AOD’s international faculty, and offers thorough training in copy writing, advertising campaigns, graphic design, typography, editorial design and packaging along with supportive fields like photography, animation and web design.

Grants McCann Erickson Chairperson Neela Marikkar assured her confidence in AOD’s ability to produce world-class graduates and the benefits of Ad-Creative; “Previously the advertising industry was like the university, we had to train our own staff. But by having this course, AOD has taken that part from us.” She also said that Grants has already employed six AOD graduates; “I see how they’re well trained in their craft, and well articulated because of their education. This shows the great potential of AOD graduates to find employment with their training.”

Since the inception of the visual communication program, AOD has fed the local ad industry with a constant stream of world-class graduates. Several of them have already brought glory to Sri Lanka through international ad-festivals.

Leo Burnett Solutions Inc. Managing Director Ranil de Silva expressed his confidence in AOD’s education standards; “Last year, AOD students beat industry professionals in the competition to represent Sri Lanka at Cannes ad festival, Roger Hatchuel program. I think that says a lot about AOD graduates’ standards…we too have employed a first class honours student of AOD.”

AOD will be accepting creative portfolios of advertising professionals with experience in a creative advertising/graphics sector for three or more years. AOD will fund Rs. 1.1 million for each scholarship winner to complete their world-renowned Northumbria University School of Design degree within Sri Lanka. Applications will close on 31 March.

For more applications and information contact AOD, 5867772, [email protected] and www.aod.lk