Ralston Joseph, a Copywriter working at JWT Colombo whilst studying at the Open University of Sri Lanka was this year’s participant at the Roger Hatchuel Academy at the Cannes Advertising Festival. He was the first Sri Lankan to attend the sessions.

The IAA in an endeavor to develop the local ad industry arranged to send one person from Sri Lanka for this year’s seminar. The candidate had to be aged between 18-23 years, currently studying subjects relevant to marketing and advertising, with a serious view to pursue a career in the advertising industry.

Ranil deSilva Sri Lanka’s representative for Cannes Lions, had this to say, "Cannes Lions is the world’s biggest and most respected advertising festival. It has and always will influence our industry as it will be the guiding light for Sri Lanka’s advertising industry for our pursuit of creative excellence. As Sri Lanka’s representative for Cannes Lions, I am happy that our industry was recognized this year and was granted a place for a Sri Lankan student to attend the Rodger Hatchuel Academy at Cannes Lions. This is an exceptional and very rewarding experience. It also enabled Ralston to create a network of 30 + like minded people from around the world. I am also sure it was fun as well.

I believe that Ralston will now be better equipped to help our industry achieve its ambitions of global recognition for our work. His Cannes Lions experience will be an asset to him, JWT and our industry."

Joseph was selected after a viva before a panel consisting of 6 senior advertising & marketing professionals. They were Imal Fonseka - Managing Director Hemas, Ajai Singh - Country Head of Grey Worldwide, Rohan Rajaratnam - Managing Director of Minds FCB, Keith Wijesuriya - Managing Director of BBDO Sri Lanka, Rajiv Wijesinghe - Heensare, Roy Varkey - ECD of Grey. At the viva he had to present 3 pieces of his best work from the mediums TV, Print, Radio, Ambient, Outdoor, that were executed and released between the 1st of Jan 2007 and 31st of Dec 2007. Amongst the work he presented was the Bronze award he won in the radio category for Asian Paints at this year’s Chillies advertising Awards. There were just 35 attendees from all over the world at this year’s sessions.

Joseph on his experience said," Meeting 34 individuals from around the world who are going to be the future stars of the global communications business was an amazing opportunity. Each had a fresh and different take on the various disciplines within our industry.