'We’re looking forward to less
safe ideas, more today’s ideas'
PIYUSH PANDEY
Executive Chairman and Creative Director South Asia - Ogilvy & Mather
Q. What are your views on Portfolio Night 12?
I think Portfolio Nights are always full of expectations from people who have been in the industry, we are looking forward to young minds, young ideas, less safe ideas, more today’s ideas and every Portfolio Night looks for young minds with the same kind of spirit.
Q. How do you feel the industry can make better use of the platform?
I think the industry is trying its best. We must try and get a little more innovative so that we could include people from more parts of the country than just the metros or maybe just Mumbai, we need to get together collectively as an industry to say what can we do to get those wonderful minds who are sitting in smaller cities to look at this industry as a viable job option.
Q. Do you think there should be a change in format?
The format is not decided by us, but it is a good format and we must learn from it and make it more relevant to India in more ways.
Q. You have been a part of Portfolio Night over the years, how do you see the event shaping up over the years?
I think it just shows the concern and the desire of the industry to get young people. So agency after agency hosts it year after year and that’s a good sign that we are all committed to getting young people.
Q. What would be your message to the young creative talent?
My message to them is - You are as creative as anyone of us who has made some kind of a name. Don’t give up. If you don’t win today, doesn’t matter, it is not that you are not good, you could be very good. We were all rejected in 7 jobs before we got one, so you are very good and the world has expectations of you. Don’t give up.
25 creative directors reviewed portfolios of 75 young creative aspirants from across India at Portfolio Night 12 which was hosted by Lowe Lintas & Partners in Mumbai. The aspirants got a lot of inspiration, feedback, constructive criticism and honks during the 15 minutes that they got with each creative director. IMPACT spoke to a few creative directors and All-Star nominees to get views and feedback on their experience at the event
AMER JALEEL
NCD, Lowe Lintas and Partners
It is my first time and I must say that I am super surprised. I have seen an art director who writes beautifully, I have seen a writer who could become a great author, so it is all very different and very beautiful. The people I have met, it has been an eye-opening experience for me.
NITESH TIWARI
NCD, Lowe Lintas and Partners
It is good to see that young people are paying a lot of attention on cracking an idea that can travel across all mediums. It is something that is the need of the hour in the industry. A lot of clients are looking for that one idea which can travel across all mediums and it is heartening to see the youngsters trying to crack it.
RAGHU BHAT
Founder / Director, Scarecrow Communication
There should be some kind of screening before the event happens, because what aspirants are looking for and the kind of people they meet can be a little mismatched. Last year, I met someone who was into fabrication whereas I would have ideally preferred to meet someone who is considering copywriting as a career. The participants are currently very raw and young’ their portfolios need to be a little more well rounded.
JOSY PAUL
Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, BBDO
I saw one person who I thought was an equal to any of us, if not better. I learnt craft, I learnt things that I had never heard of before and I think I also learnt energy. I learnt about people who have got something, they are so excited with what they have that they can’t sit still and that restlessness is amazing.
ASHISH CHAKRAVARTY
National Creative Director, Contract India
Some of the kids have been interesting, in fact one completely exceeded expectations because of finished work, very thought-out and well presented. I would say it is not totally there but one or two really big spikes. But I also sense a lack of guidance. I met an art guy from Amritsar, very good and strong graphic sense but no guidance. A bit of guidance would have done good for a few of them.
KS CHAKRAVARTY (CHAX)
National Creative Director, FCB Ulka
Unfortunately this year I did not have too much of luck. But that is OK, in any year out of 75 you will have maybe 25 who are completely clueless and don’t know what is advertising. So the best you can do for is to advise them to invest time to build a portfolio, to look at stuff, look at the state of the art and triumph.
ARUN IYER
NCD, Lowe Lintas & Partners
I have met about 3-4 very good people that I think are worth hiring as well… overall it has been a fun experience. I think it is our responsibility to do stuff like this because we keep cribbing about the fact that we don’t get talent, this is one way to address it and that is why we keep doing it.
MAYANK BHAYANA
All-Stars Winner & Copywriter, MRM Bangalore
It was an amazing experience, it is not just about the All Stars as I got the chance to interact with so many people from the industry. I wasn’t expecting this because of the mixed reviews I received from the CDs but I guess it’s not perfect work that they are looking for but perfect intent. I had many sleepless nights over my portfolio and almost thought of not coming here. But I thought, what was the worst that could happen, it would get rejected which is okay.
AASHISH KURESHI
All-Stars Nominee & Copywriter, Radio Mirchi
After Piyush Pandey heard the first song from my portfolio, I could see tears in his eyes and I will never forget that in my life. He put his hand on my head and said that I am doing good work. He suggested that I focus on the small moments in life and bring them into advertising. Since all my work was for radio, he explained the thought process behind developing work across mediums.
DEEPANJALI SINGH
All-Stars Nominee & Fresher
This was my first time at Portfolio Night and I’m here to see if I’m meant for Indian advertising as I have interned in Europe and studied at Miami Art School. Everyone was super nice, they critiqued the work but gave constructive criticism. I had the opportunity to speak to Piyush Pandey. He was slightly intense but he liked most of my work, gave me good advice and told me that I was in the right direction. I already got two job offers!
