Following a successful Graduation Ceremony at the Johannesburg campus of the AAA School of Advertising, the Cape Town campus had its own Graduation on Saturday, 6 March at the Baxter Theatre.

“It has been hugely rewarding to work with such a highly motivated and ambitious group of students,” says Ludi Koekemoer, Principal and Managing Director of AAA. “I have no doubt that this group will capitalise on their experiences at AAA and make their presence felt in the industry.”

The opening speech was delivered by Mike Schalit, Executive Creative Director and Founding Partner, Net#work BBDO. Mike is a AAA graduate and was honoured to have the opportunity to address the next generation of advertising professionals.

“There is great scope for fresh young talent to enter the advertising space and bring new ideas to the table,” adds Koekemoer. “While it always takes persistence and real dedication to climb the ladder, this group has all the qualities that the industry demands.”

Trophies were awarded to top students in numerous categories (a full list is included below).

Achievements of Excellence
• L’Oreal Brandstorm International Marketing Award
L’Oreal, the French cosmetics company, annually runs an international branding competition which is open to all Advertising/Marketing training Institutes across the globe. AAA Cape Town had four Marketing Teams winning through to the Africa Sector Finals. One of those teams won through to represent Africa, traveling to Paris to make their presentations against other countries:

Daryl Brown; Azra Ismail; and Sheri-Lee Van Niekerk.

Creative Awards
• Six Graphic Design students were awarded membership to the prestigious International Society of Type Designers:
Stephen Manion; Claire Johnson; Candice Overmeyer; Johan Horn; Michael Tymbios; and Dale Lawrence.
• International Creative Showcase magazine Lürzer’s Archive for their Hi-Tech Print campaign:
Copywriters: Nerine Lombaard; Angela Bow
Art Director: Kate Besseling

• The Loerie Awards:

Bronze Loerie Winner Design category: Johan Horn

Silver Loerie Winner for her Organ Donor Foundation Calendar: Carla Kotze

Outstanding achievements of individual students in their specialisation:

• The J Walter Thomson Award for Top Student Specialising in Client Service/Account Management:
This year we have a tie with the trophy shared between Nicole Elliott and Kane Kossew
• The Media Association of South Africa Award for Top Student Specialising in Media Management:
Daryl Brown (Additional prize of R1 000 sponsored by AMASA )
• The Ogilvy Award for Top Student Specialising in Strategic Brand Management:
Nicole Elliott
• The TBWA/Hunt/Lascaris Award forTop Student Copywriting
NerineLombaard
• The Lowe Bull Award for Top Student Art Direction
Nina Le Sueur
• The CODE (a company of designers) Award forTop Student Graphic Design
This year we have a tie with the trophy shared between Johan Horn and Michael Tymbios
• The AAA Award for Overall Top MarketingStudent 2009
Kyle Grant
• The Jupiter Drawing Room Award for OverallTop CreativeStudent 2009
Nina Le Sueur

• Two Team Awards, to recognise Group Effort, Marketing and Creative groups working together in the industry
AAA Award for Top Campaign Group of the year – Ubuntu - Group 8

Marketers - Sheri-Lee Van Nikerk; Tracey Schwagele; Candyce Moores; and Ridhaa Fakier.

Creatives- Jessicah Olivier; Esti Kruger; and Dale Lawrence.

• AAA Award forTop Brandfile Group of the year
Beechies - Group 2

Marketers – Kane Kossew; Dylan Moore; Tanya Aumann; and Lauren Millar.

Creatives– Salome Smith; Sylvann de Robillard, Lauren Redman; Johan Truter; and Dylan Jones.