WPP School of Marketing & Communications in China celebrates 5th anniversary with new larger location in central Xujiahui Shanghai

WPP’s School of Marketing and Communications in China celebrated its 5th anniversary yesterday with the opening of a new, larger location in central Xujiahui, Shanghai. WPP CEO Martin Sorrell (pictured) presided over the ceremonies, addressing students on the need for fresh, innovative talent needed in China’s rapidly evolving marketing and digital landscape.

Since its establishment in 2011, the WPP School has developed internationally recognized award-winning talent and launched the careers of well over 100 young executives. The WPP School of Marketing and Communications was jointly founded by WPP and the Shanghai Art & Design Academy (SADA), a nationally recognized leader in arts and design vocational education in China. The school is China’s first professional marketing and communications three-year diploma program, bringing together a strong academic and creative curriculum combined with practical application.

“We at WPP are very proud of the students and faculty at the Marketing and Communications School in Shanghai. These students, with their strong foundation in marketing and digital skills, are helping to drive forward the future of China’s advertising and marketing industry,” said Sorrell. “China’s economy is a global leader in the digital and e-commerce space, and these students are well positioned to excel in this area of growing significance.”

TB Song, WPP School Dean, said, “Our new campus will not only allow us to grow in numbers up to more than 210 students, it will also provide us with an exciting new home in which our creative foundation can expand unrestrained; inspiring our students to think and dream even bigger. All these achievements are not possible without the support and commitment from the senior education officials from the Shanghai city government and our strong partners from Shanghai Art & Design Academy.”

WPP School students have been recognized internationally and domestically with a number of awards. In 2015 and 2014, students have won Pencils at D&AD New Blood Awards, making the WPP School the only school in China to achieve these coveted honours. In addition, WPP School students won two golds and one silver at the 2013 China Universities Creative Design Awards, organized by the China Ministry of Education, ranking the WPP School as first in Shanghai, and fifth nationwide.