The Radio Bureau launches first Student Outstanding Radio Creative Awards

The Radio Bureau has this month, launched the very first Student Outstanding Radio Creative Awards (ORCAs).

Inspired by the well-known and currently retired ORCAs, the Student ORCAs challenges advertising students to explore the creative possibilities of radio by creating an outstanding radio commercial for a specific brand.

Advertising students at Media Design School and AUT will go head-to-head in the first round which involves writing a 15, 30, 45 or 60 second commercial script for radio. Shortlisted scripts will then need to be made into recorded radio commercials, which will form the finalists. The judging panel consists of ex-AUT and Media Design School students, most who have taken away an ORCA themselves and come from a mix of creative agencies including FCB, Colenso BBDO and DDB.

Both winning teams will take home a cash prize and be presented with their award in front of industry professionals at the Ralph van Dijk ‘Radio Scriptwriting’ seminar in Auckland in mid-August.

Says Peter Richardson, general manager, The Radio Bureau: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with both AUT and Media Design School to offer their students the chance to get their work recognised and in front of an industry audience.”

Paul White, programme leader of advertising creativity at AUT is excited about the opportunity that the award presents to students.

Says White: “Marilyn Monroe is reputed to have said, “It’s not true I had nothing on, I had the radio on.”  Which only goes to show that you never know who’s listening to your radio commercials. But we all know the best way to get people listening is to create outstanding radio ads. The new Student ORCAs are a chance for advertising students to really shine creatively. There’s no pre-set length of commercial, no geeky technology to cope with; pretty much nothing to get in the way of creating something great for radio. We’re excited by the start of the student Orcas to showcase new talent.”

Kate Humphries, course leader at Design School thinks radio scripts are a great addition to advertising students’ portfolios.

Says Humphries: “Although radio doesn’t always make it into student portfolios because no one has the time to read anything, the restriction of working with just words and voice has always been a great training ground for young creatives.

“So, the Student ORCAs represents an awesome opportunity for students to get some dwell time with industry judges who between them have won a giant fistful of Orcas, D&AD Pencils and Cannes Lions for their radio ideas. A fact, which is currently proving both inspiring and incredibly nerve wracking for all our budding scriptwriters at Media Design School.”

Applications for the awards are currently open and close on 1 August.  Advertising students at Media Design School and AUT can apply by submitting their script to Paul White from AUT or Kate Humphries from Media Design School.

For more information visit the TRB website: http://www.trb.co.nz/news/trb-student-orca-2018.