Communications School Sells Out in First Year

For Immediate Release September 21 2005

Communications School Sells Out in First Year

The first year of the CAANZ/AUT Communications School has proven an unqualified success with all courses now sold out for the year and development of an expanded 2006 programme already well down the track.

The Communication Agencies Association (CAANZ) and the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) formed a partnership to deliver an industry training programme for the communications and marketing industry. The first courses were offered earlier this year and already the School curriculum has proven to be a valuable tool for businesses wanting to upskill their people in disciplines like media strategy and planning, account management and business skills.

The school has been based on the highly successful IPA (Britain) and AFA (Australia) education models with a core focus on ‘best practice’. Industry practitioners develop the courses with the assistance of AUT with the University ensuring the programme meets degree standards. The School courses are also held at the new AUT Faculty of Business building offering state of the art teaching facilities.

A Professional Development Committee, which consists of David Walden (CEO, Whybin TBWA), Jon Ramage (CEO, Y&R), Stephen Pearson (CEO, Lowe) and Doug Lloyd (AUT), administers the School.

More than 150 communications professionals from agencies and media owners have already attended the courses and demand has been so strong that some will be repeated later in the year and one is expected to be delivered in Wellington.

The 2006 programme will expand the current programme of 6-8 courses to around 12-15 courses with the addition of new offerings covering integrated communications with a focus on strategy and creative disciplines. 2006 will begin with the School’s core papers - Media I and Account Management I. The 2006 programme will be finalised before the end of this year and will be communicated to all agency managers and other interested businesses.

This will enable businesses to plan their training requirements well in advance. All 2006 course information will also be available on the CAANZ website - www.caanz.co.nz

CAANZ and AUT wish to thank everyone who has supported the School especially our three industry sponsors: TVNZ, New Zealand Post and The Radio Bureau. Special thanks should also go to all the industry practitioners who have given their time to pass on their experience and expertise to students.

For further information visit the CAANZ website – www.caanz.co.nz

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