Ogilvy’s opulent offices were the perfect setting for Portfolio Night which took place simultaneously in 39 night countries throughout the world. JP Donnelly opened the evening and filled us in on how the networking event would work.
Many of Ireland’s finest creative talent were present to impart their years of knowledge, passion and time to 60 lucky students who arrived equipped with their portfolios.
The elite team of consulting creatives were Martin Wright (GospelTM), Shay Madden (MaCann Erickson), David Quinn (Bloom) Dylan Cotter (Irish International BBDO), Mike Garner (Chemistry) Emmet Wright (Chemistry), Michael Walsh (Leo Burnett), Ian Doherty (Creative Director) Leo Burnett, Ian Doherty (Bonfire) Laurence Keogh (McConnells), Judy O’Broin, (Young Euro RSCG), Alexis Bouckaert (Rothco), Stephen Quinn (Atomic), Mel O’ Rourke (Creative Inc), Martin Busch (Cybercom) and Michael O Connor (80/20)
Networking took place on the main floor of Ogilvy’s building and in the beautiful courtyard which featured a bar, a graphic artist who was working on a mural, and an ambient DJ spinning his discs in the corner.
The students looked extremely gratified as they went from one creative to another. I spoke to Nick Kelly (Senior independent creative and previously the lead singer of The Fat Lady Sings): he has some very interesting ideas around exporting our creative talent. Also spoke to Suzanne Delaney from Ogilvy who gave me a guided online tour of their very cool digital offering, NEO - http://www.neoogilvy.ie/#/HOME The team behind this is headed up by Dave Smyth, Suzanne Delaney and head of strategy Claire Carroll.
Also attending was Jerry Kennelly, the uber entrepreneur who sold Stockbyte to Getty and is now launching Gustavo onto the Global market.
This was a great egalitarian gesture by the Ogilvy crew, and they proved to be a hospitable, very friendly bunch who really went out of the way to make it a great evening. All in all it was a fantastic success and speaking to students at the event a very worthwhile cause
Gary - Prosperity