THE PORTFOLIO PROJECT WINS TWO INTERNATIONAL ADVERTISING AWARDS - A WIN FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY
Announcement posted by Smoking Gun Communications 28 May 2014
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
28 May 2014
THE
PORTFOLIO PROJECT WINS TWO INTERNATIONAL ADVERTISING AWARDS - A WIN FOR YOUNG
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY
A group of young disability program participants were awarded for their advertising talent at the International Summit Creative Awards on Friday. The group are members of the ‘The Portfolio Project’ – a joint initiative of GWF Creative and Disability Services Australia, which seeks to create employment opportunities for young people with disabilities in the advertising industry, by training them on live briefs for real clients.
On 23rd of May 2014, The Portfolio Project and GWF Creative were awarded Silver for their Kidsafe Victoria animated public service video, which warns children of common dangers around the home. The team were awarded Bronze for their Angels4Olivia multiple media and television commercial campaign, produced in conjunction with Double See, which raises awareness around the issue of bullying, following the tragic suicide of nineteen year old bullying victim Olivia Penpraze.
The Portfolio Project competed against over 5,000 entries from 24 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Brazil and Australia, to win the prestigious awards. Working with a small team on a meagre budget, The Portfolio Project competed against established creative agencies which bill up to $30 million annually, and placed alongside $10 million budget campaigns in the same category.
Duncan Mah, the project’s Co-Founder, said “This award is a fantastic achievement for these incredibly bright young people. It demonstrates that given the opportunity, people with disability have significant contributions to make to the advertising and creative industries.”
The Portfolio Project has now been established for 12 months, successfully placing two young people in Sydney advertising agencies. A further two young people have been retained by GWF Creative on a freelance basis for concept development and digital illustration.
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About The Portfolio Project
The Portfolio Project was pioneered by Duncan Mah and Richard Kahotea of GWF Creative. It was established in early 2013 as a joint initiative between GWF Creative and Disability Services Australia, seeking to assist young jobseekers in Disability Services Australia’s Transition to Work program by involving them with ‘hands on’ work on new business briefs in the advertising industry. For young people with disability trying to overcome barriers to employment and be competitive in the labour market, this project bridges the gap between work and employment, leads to increased self-esteem, provides valuable work experience, highlights achievement and promotes inclusion in the wider community.
About GWF Creative
GWF Creative (formerly Goodwill Freelancers) was founded by Duncan Mah and Richard Kahotea in January 2013. The boutique advertising consultancy specialises in cause-related marketing and services not-for-profit, government and corporate sectors. GWF Creative are recipients of two International Summit Creative Awards 2014 and a NSW Youth Work Award 2013 in Partnership with Disability Services Australia for ‘The Portfolio Project’.
For more information, visit www.gwfcreative.com
Award Details
International Summit Creative Award 2014 – Silver: Public Service Video
The Portfolio Project and GWF Creative: Kidsafe Victoria ‘Mr. Powerpoint’ Digital Campaign
Campaign link: http://www.gwfcreative.com/#!digital/ch57
International Summit Creative Award 2014 – Bronze: Public Service Multiple Media Campaign
The Portfolio Project, GWF Creative and Double See: Angels4Olivia ‘No More Angels Lost To Bullying’ Campaign
Campaign link: http://www.gwfcreative.com/#!socialmediaintegrated/cptq
NSW Youth Work Award 2013: Best Partnership
Disability Services Australia’s Transition to Work Program and GWF Creative (formerly Goodwill Freelancers)