Students leaving the AAA nest graduate with flying colours

In life, it has been said that graduation is not the end, it"s the beginning, and the AAA School of Advertising has spent three years ensuring that the graduating class of 2008 is off to the best possible start boasting an exceptional education.

Celebrating at a ceremony held at the Linder Auditorium in Johannesburg, and the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town, 192 highly-trained students were launched to an industry ready for fresh talent. The evening’s guest speaker in Joburg was Wayne Naidoo, the Group CEO Managing Director of the Lowe Bull group, and addressing students in the mother city was Ross Chowles, Executive Creative Director of The Jupiter Drawing Room.

During the course of three years, Johannesburg students competed for the top awards, with the following being recognised by AAA at graduation:

*The Jupiter Drawing Room trophy to the best student in ‘Art Direction’ was awarded to Alexandra Mary McDonald.
*The South African Graphic Design Council student was won by Alicia van Zyl.
*The Hunt Lascaris trophy for the ‘Top Copywriting’ student was presented to Katherine Glover.
*Earning the J Walter Thompson trophy for the ‘Best Account Management’ student was Mashadi Lesia.
*Adri Van der Westhuizen was congratulated for winning the Yellowwood trophy for the ‘Top Brand Management’ student.
*The AMASA trophy for the ‘Top Media Management’ student was shared by Adri van der Westhuizen and Matthew Arnold.
*The Finishing Post Student Radio Award was handed to Wynand Prinsloo.
*Graduating with distinction, and the overall ‘Top Creative’ student in 2008, winning the Red Rocket trophy was Alicia Van Zyl.
*The Roger Sinclair trophy was awarded to the ‘Top Advertising’ student in 2008, Adri van der Westhuizen.

*AAA School trophy was awarded to the following students for the winning Brandfile Campaign:

Marketing: Blaq Coffee
-Khula Mashaba
-Nomfundo Ntuli
-Sibusiso Gambu
-Koketso Mokgosi
-Tshepiso Theletsane

Creative: Axe to the Max
-Elizma Benade
-Nadine Kaiser
-Kerwin Eddie
-Candice Bender
-Alicia van Zyl

The Cape Town campus awards were given to the following students:

*The J Walter Thomson Award for ‘Top Student Client Service/Account Management’ was Denielle Avis.
*The AMASA trophy for ‘Top Student Media Management’ went to Megan Bernstein.
*The Ogilvy award for ‘Top Student Strategic Brand Management’ was presented to both Michelle Bekker and Megan Bernstein.
*The TBWA/Hunt/Lascaris award for ‘Top Student Copywriting’ was also shared between Stephanie Zietsman and Suzanne Opperman.
*Ansjah Bloem secured the Lowe Bull award for ‘Top Student Art Direction’.
*The CODE award for ‘Top Student Graphic Design’ was handed to Bruce Mackay.
*The AAA award for ‘Overall Top Marketing Student’ was awarded to Megan Bernstein.
*The Jupiter Drawing Room award for ‘Overall Top Creative Student’ was shared between Ansjah Bloem, Art Director and Bruce Mackay, Designer.

*AAA School trophy was also awarded to a group of students for their efforts in achieving a Top Campaign and Top Brandfile for the year:

‘Top Campaign Group’ of the year went to:
*Marketing: Johnnie Walker Red Label
-Claire Markwell
-Lior Phillips
-Megan Wall
-Gia Berger
-Gregory Charoux

Creative:
-Danie Roux
-Megan Levey

‘Top Brandfile Group’ of the year went to:
Marketing: Redd’s
-Claire Markwell
-Megan Wall
-Melissa Diseko
-Charnre Terblanche
-Nompakamiso Hude

Creative
-Marie Basson
-Kate Desmarais
-Danie Roux
-Emmerentia Strauss
-Lesley Winterbach
-Alix-Rose Cowie

*The AON award for ‘Overall Top Student’ nominated from both campuses went to Simone Scott, Marketing Student, from Cape Town. Staff members from each campus nominate students who have shown commitment to the school, consistently achieved in their studies, and who have been respected and admired by their colleagues. The final decision is made by AON Financial Services and the prize is a trip overseas worth R25 000. The graduate is required to spend at least two days visiting advertising agencies in the country of their choice.

Addressing the graduating class of 2008, Dr Ludi Koekemoer, Managing Director and Principal of AAA said: “Remember that there are no shortcuts to any place worth going; go out there and make a positive contribution to the industry and make AAA proud.” The most recent AAA graduates of 2008 will join the ranks of those who have gone before to create a reputation of being dedicated and self-starters, that companies are confident in employing.

AAA is currently filling places for 2009 and offers three streams of education. Firstly a BA degree or diploma in the creative field; called Creative Brand Communication, which is a three-year course with career options in Art Direction or Graphic Design. Secondly, the marketing stream offers a three year BA qualification or diploma in Marketing Communication with specialisation in Account, Brand, or Media Management. Thirdly a two-year Copywriting Diploma is offered. Graduates in languages can do the one-year option to complete this diploma in Copywriting.

For further information regarding the qualifications offered by AAA School of Advertising, visit www.aaaschool.co.za.For the Johannesburg Registrar Office, call 011 781 2772, and for the Cape Town Registrar Office, call 021 422 1800.