DDB China Group searches for future Bernbachs through their 2014 internship program

DDB China Group has kicked off the 2014 Future Bernbachs internship program in both their Shanghai and Beijing offices. The program was first carried out last year in early Feb.

“Bill Bernbach is one of DDB’s three founders and a true legend in the advertising industry. We call our interns “Future Bernbachs” as an extension of our hopes and aspirations for them,” said Jimmy Lam, Vice President & Chief Creative Officer of DDB Group North China.

Lam added, “The advertising industry is one that carries certain responsibility, in that it has potential to directly affect society. Bill Bernbach once said, ‘All of us who professionally use the mass media are the shapers of society. We can vulgarize that society. We can brutalize it. Or we can help life it onto a higher level. We hope our interns will learn to internalize this philosophy during their three-month stay with us, and strive to use what they learn at DDB to help make a difference in the world.”

The 2014 Future Bernbachs internship program officially launched on Monday. Initial interviews will be carried out up until 20 June; DDB China Group officially opens its doors for selected interns in July for the three-month-long program. These interns will receive one-on-one mentorship and training with senior staff, while also facing on-ground training with management figures from DDB’s Asia-Pacific network. This year’s internship positions include roles in the creative, account servicing and corporate communications departments. Exceptional interns have potential opportunities for permanent, full-time employment.

Richard Tan, President & CEO of DDB Group North China said, “The advertising and marketing communications world is extremely competitive; however 4A agencies offer a substantial threshold for those wishing to enter the industry. The Future Bernbachs internship program is a platform providing students opportunities a boost into our world. It is also an extension of DDB’s pledge to bridge the gap between textbook theories and real-world applications, giving budding industry players the springboard they’ve been waiting for.”

Some talented interns have stayed on after the 2013 Future Bernbachs program and have achieved exceptional results in the creative industry. Three former Future Bernbachs in Beijing office was crowned the grand winner of the inaugural 2014 New York Festivals Torch Awards. The team was comprised of Lucia Qiu from Tribal Worldwide Beijing, Rundong Liu, and Soup Tang from DDB Guoan. The trio secured their spot as the only Finalist team from China in April, and is the first-ever grand winning team of the New York Festivals Torch Awards.