SUMMER SCHOOL FINDS ITS "PER4MERS"

Following an intense two weeks at the McCann Erickson Communications House Summer School, the winning team has been revealed as “The Per4mers”, who beat off competition from three other teams on the scheme.

E C DeWitt, one of the agency’s healthcare clients provided the live brief for the students and the course culminated with them pitching their campaign to the client and the McCann Erickson Communications House chief executive, Sue Little and a senior panel from the agency.

“The Per4mers” team devised a campaign incorporating the strapline “Mate…what you doing?!” and plays on the urban myths that exist amongst teenagers about tackling spots. A fictional character called George was created as the face of the brand and is used in a predominantly online campaign utilising websites frequented by teenagers such as MySpace and Bebo.

After a competitive selection process, 16 students were appointed to take part in the North’s first ever marketing Summer School giving them the chance to experience what life is like working with around 300 marketing specialists.

The students were based at Bonis Hall in Prestbury where they gained a real insight into agency life. The two week programme included learning about the different agency disciplines; covering planning, digital, creative, PR and account management.

A dedicated website was setup, www.mechsummerschool.com and students were encouraged to write a daily blog on their experience, enabling friends and tutors to keep track of their progress and success.

Chris Doyle, Senior Brand Manager at E C DeWitt commented: “The quality of campaigns produced by the students was of an extremely high standard. I am delighted to have taken part in the Summer School as I believe it’s an excellent initiative. It was wonderful to get a fresh outlook on our brand from some of the industry’s rising stars”.

Nicola Stout, People Director at McCann Erickson Communications House added: “We were delighted to have such dynamic and talented students here with us for the last two weeks. The quality of the work produced has impressed everyone in the agency and a number of jobs and placements have been awarded to outstanding students and these will be announced in the coming weeks.”

MCCANN’S LAUNCHES SUMMER SCHOOL

16 aspiring young advertisers began Summer School today at McCann Erickson Communications House, the UK’s largest integrated marketing services agency.

Following a competitive selection process, the students were appointed to take part in the North’s first ever marketing Summer School giving them the chance to experience what life is like working with around 300 marketing specialists.

From the 30th July to 10th August, the students will be based at Bonis Hall in Prestbury where they will have a real insight into agency life. The two week programme includes learning about the different agency disciplines including planning, digital, creative, PR and account management.

Following a briefing from E C De Witt, one of the agency’s healthcare clients, the course will culminate with students pitching their campaign to the client and McCann Erickson Communications House directors. To celebrate their efforts and achievements the students will then join the rest of the agency at its Summer Party.

To keep up to date with all the news from McCann’s Summer School, a dedicated website has been created, www.mechsummerschool.com. Students will be encouraged to write a daily blog on their experience at the agency whilst their friends and tutors will be able to keep track of their progress and success.

Nicola Stout, People Director at McCann Erickson Communications House said: “The aim of the Summer School is to attract the best young talent, providing students with a real insight in to our industry. We are delighted to have such dynamic and talented students here with us for two weeks and we look forward to discovering the emerging stars of the future.”

MCCANN POPS ORVILLE REDENBACHER’S ONTO TV SCREENS

Orville Redenbacher’s, America’s Number 1 microwave popcorn will be appearing on TV screens across the UK for the first time this Spring in a commercial made by McCann Erickson Communications House. The 30-second film, directed by Simon Cheek, shows a family discovering that popcorn is more than just the perfect snack for watching their favourite film. When dad forgets the DVD, the popcorn ends up being the entertainment for the night. The creative runs under the strapline “make the popcorn, make the movie” and is the work of McCann Erickson Communications House Creative Partners, Dave Price and Neil Lancaster. Creative Director, Dave Price commented: “The brand enjoys a tremendous following in the US and having only been launched in Britain just 12 months ago has already achieved 26% of the microwave popcorn category. We wanted to communicate the product in a memorable and impactful way and demonstrate that Orville Redenbacher’s brings fun to the whole experience of having popcorn in the comfort of your own home, which can be just as enjoyable as it is at the cinema – if not more.” The commercials air from March 5th.

MCCANN’S NEW WIN IS COOL IN THE EXTREME

McCann-Erickson Communications House has been appointed to handle the above the line launch for Chill Factore , the new real snow, indoor ski village being built near Manchester. The multi million pound experience will open in late 2007. Less than four miles from the city centre and next to the renowned Trafford Centre, Chill Factore will offer the country’s finest all year round snow based leisure. The three indoor slopes will provide the longest and widest real snow experience in the country with separate nursery slopes with the beginner in mind, a toboggan run and a snowplay wonderland for kids. Snowsports, lifestyle retailing and contemporary dining will complement each other in authentic, alpine settings, bringing a touch of après ski buzz to the North West – all year round. Chill Factore Chairman Peter Moore said: “McCann Erickson is one of the finest advertising agencies in the country with extensive retail and leisure experience and a strategic vision of how to reach people who want to experience winter sports throughout the year. McCann will help us establish Chill Factore as a major destination for people across the North West and beyond.” “It’s exciting to be working on such a pioneering project,” said McCann Erickson Managing Partner Simon Buchanan. “There is going to be a real buzz about this place by the time that it opens. It has been designed so that it offers a genuine experience for the expert skier and provides everything that the novice needs as well as creating a fantastic place to go for people who just want to enjoy the social side of an alpine experience.”

McCann and DRC put abuse on screen

In a follow up to the national press and billboard campaign ‘Are we taking the dis?’ for the Disability Rights Commission (DRC), McCann-Erickson Communications House has shot two commercials for cinema and TV. Directed by Paul Gay, for Hungryman, they will be screened in independent cinemas across the UK. In “Shopping” the first commercial, an older man contemplates life without a wife who has been put in a care home. It highlights the fact that many couples are needlessly forced apart because one of them is disabled, when with the right equipment and professional care they could stay together in their own homes. The commercial also ends with the line ‘are we taking the dis?’ The two 60 second films are the work of McCann Erickson Creative Partners Ged Edmondson and Richard Irving and Copy Writer Tim Reid. The agency producer for the COI is Kim Knowlton and the Managing Partner for McCann Erickson is Charlotte Thompson. ‘Shopping’ will appear in cinemas nationwide for six weeks to the end of September supporting the DRC’s efforts to improve independent living for people with disabilities. The second commercial ‘Nice Day’ highlights the daily abuse and bullying suffered by people with learning disabilities. Featuring the actor Russell Ramsey, the film also sets out to challenge myths about Down’s Syndrome and show how able people with the condition can be. ‘Nice Day’ will be screened later this year. Meera Syall did the voice over for both films.

McCann i launches online treasure hunt for American Airlines

McCann-i, the interactive operation at McCann Erickson Communications House has launched a nine week online treasure hunt competition for AmericanAirlines.co.uk. The online competition is designed to encourage British travellers to explore America and find out more about the sights and landmarks they can visit. The “Great New World Treasure Hunt”, commences on the 1st July and invites participants to solve clues and search for treasure online before being entered into a grand prize draw to win flights to a number of exciting American Airlines destinations. By registering at the competition web site www.weknowwhyyoufly.co.uk, participants can join the treasure hunt and explore America. Once online, participants will need to solve a clue and use the links provided to find the treasure located on the Internet. On finding the treasure trove they must bring it back to the competition web site to record their find. Participants will then be automatically entered into a fortnightly draw to win two economy class flights to Boston, Chicago, Dallas or Miami. Every time participants discover the hidden treasure they will also get a bonus clue for entry into the Grand Prize draw which is awarded in the ninth week of the competition. They must return to the site and play every two weeks to collect four clues to enter the draw to win a pair of business class tickets to New York and three nights accommodation. Dave Crawford, Head of Interactive at McCann-i comments: “This is an exciting online summer initiative designed specifically to position American Airlines as the airline of choice when flying to the USA. We are confident that the interactive treasure hunt combined with the grand prize draw incentive will drive visitors to the American Airlines website.” The competition is free to enter and no purchase is necessary. Entrants must reside in the UK. Full details and terms and conditions are available at www.weknowwhyyoufly.co.uk