Founded in 2003, The Roger Hatchuel Academy provides a complimentary course week to a selection of 35 advertising students from around the world. Whilst attending the week long Festival, the students are taught by both the Dean of the Academy and by tutor Clive Challis, Head of the Advertising Course at Central Saint Martins in London who provides daily training sessions and guides the students through their schedule. They also have a series of tutorials held by leading advertising figures.

“We are truly honoured that Rick Boyko is the new Dean of the Roger Hatchuel Academy. Rick is such a distinguished and well respected industry figure who will bring to The Academy expertise, knowledge and advice. The students could not be in better hands,” said Philip Thomas, CEO of the Festival.

Rick Boyko commented, “Having participated by speaking to the Roger Hatchuel Academy since its inception, I have admired what Michael and Clive have built. It is therefore an honour to accept the Deanship from Michael and hope I can continue to help Clive build upon what they have begun.”

Rick began his career in 1974 as an art director at Leo Burnett Chicago and moved to Chiat/Day Los Angeles in the 1980s. He joined Ogilvy & Mather New York in 1989 and in 1997 was named Chief Creative Officer and Co-President of Ogilvy’s $1.5 billion flagship New York office. The following year Rick was also named North American Chief Creative Officer, ascending to that post with the mission to reclaim the creative ethos of legendary founder David Ogilvy.

While Rick has won most every advertising award there is, he feels most proud of two accomplishments unrelated to advertising. In May 2001, in honour of his career achievements, Rick was awarded the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honour. Then, in October 2001, in the aftermath of the September 11th tragedy, Rick conceived of and was the driving force behind Brotherhood, a tabletop book honouring the 343 firemen who perished. It sold more than 200,000 copies with the $1.5 million proceeds going to the families of the firemen. In light of Brotherhood’s contributions to the Fire Department of New York, Rick was designated an Honorary Deputy Chief in the FDNY.

After being an active member of its Board of Directors since 2000, Rick joined the VCU Brandcenter on July 1, 2003 as its managing director. In addition to teaching, he is responsible for financial and personnel management, as well as fundraising and outreach to individuals and firms in the advertising industry. He currently sits on a number of boards including Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc and the Art Directors Club.

Rick Boyko takes over the Deanship from Michael Conrad.

About The Roger Hatchuel Academy

Brainchild of the former Festival’s chairman and named in his honour, the Roger Hatchuel Academy founded in 2003, provides a complimentary course week of training and education to a selection of students studying advertising, marketing, communication or design.

Each year a class of 35 students (18-23 years) from around the world are selected by the Festival Representatives in conjunction with a local school, university or foundation. They are invited to attend the 7 days of the Festival where they will learn about trends of the industry, attend discussions and tutorials as well as taking part in Festival activities, such as the seminars, screenings, exhibitions and award ceremonies.

As well as being coached by the Dean of the Academy, the students are also accompanied throughout the week by tutor Clive Challis, Head of the Advertising Course at Central Saint Martins in London who provides daily training sessions and guides the students through their schedule. They are also privy to a series of tutorials held by leading advertising figures. As well as the Roger Hatchuel Academy, the Festival operates a student delegate package enabling colleges and universities to send their students to Cannes for the week to enhance their education.

About VCU Brandcenter

In the four years since Rick has become its director, the VCU Brandcenter has changed quite dramatically. Its curriculum evolved to include, in addition to Art Direction and Copywriting, three new tracks: Communications Strategy, Creative Brand Management and, in 2008, Creative Technology. The student body has grown from 100 graduate students to 190 and the faculty from 4 people to 12. In January 2008, the school moved into its new home, an open, creative and collaborative breeding ground designed by world-renowned architect Clive Wilkinson. These changes have not gone unnoticed and in 2005, the Brandcenter was ranked the number 1 advertising program in the country by Advertising Age’s Creativitymagazine. Number 1 in all three categories: innovation, program quality, and graduate quality. In 2007, BusinessWeek recognized the school’s unique curriculum and named it one of the sixty best business/design schools in the world. The business world has taken notice as well, awarding the Brandcenter real assignments for its students from companies like Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, The Learning Channel, Tourism Industry of America, Business for Diplomatic Action, Newspaper Association of America, AICP, Virginia Tourism, The Gettysburg Foundation, Boy Scouts of America and UNICEF’s Tap Project for Richmond.

- Ends -

The 55th International Advertising Festival will be held 15-21 June 2008 in Cannes, France.

The International Advertising Festival - Cannes Lions - is the largest gathering of worldwide advertising professionals and advertisers as well as the most prestigious annual advertising awards. Each year, over 10,000 visitors from the advertising and allied industries attend this event to celebrate the best of creativity across all media mix, discuss industry issues and network with one another. Over 25,000 ads from all over the world are showcased and judged at the Festival. Winning companies receive the highly coveted Lion trophy, honouring the most creative film, press, outdoor, interactive, radio, sales promotion, Titanium and integrated advertising, as well as the best media and direct marketing solutions. A Design category is being launched in 2008. A unique programme of high-profile seminars, workshops and keynote speakers, organised by some of the biggest names in the industry, are also presented.

For further information, please visit www.canneslions.com or contact:
Amanda Benfell, PR & Press Manager
Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival
Greater London House, Hampstead Road, London NW1 7EJ, United Kingdom
Tel: +44-20-7728 4040; Fax: +44-20-7728 4044;
E-mail: amandab@canneslions.com