Jessica Mclure named winner of News Corp Australia’s Press for Change competition

The Communications Council and the Australasian Writers and Art Directors Association (AWARD) has today announced Jessica Mclure, 2016 AWARD School student, the winner of News Corp Australia’s Press for Change initiative.

Press for Change is a News Corp Australia initiative which harnesses creative genius to drive positive change for Australia’s most deserving charities. As part of the initiative Mclure’s winning entry will be featured in paper via a News Corp Australia national metro masthead campaign. An outstanding achievement for a 2016 AWARD School student.

As sponsors of this year’s AWARD School, News Corp Australia invited the 2016 AWARD School’s aspiring art directors and copywriters to create a press campaign to support Ask Izzy, a free online directory for Australia’s homeless and near homeless, which identifies nearby much needed resources.

Says Tony Hale, CEO of The Communications Council: “This initiative is a brilliant opportunity for aspiring creatives and great testimony to News Corp’s support of the next generation. The national career opportunities this provides our AWARD School Student, Jessica Mclure is exceptional.”

More than 200 ideas were submitted by AWARD School graduates. The four national entrants selected by a jury of ECDs included:

Says Penny Fowler, community ambassador, News Corp Australia: “Ask Izzy is an initiative supported by News Corp Australia, REA, Google and not-for-profit Infoxchange. We are thrilled with the creative produced by Australia’s best young creative talent from AWARD School. To think that this clever work will help the lives of Australians who are homeless or at risk of being homeless is both exciting and rewarding.”

Says Tom McFarlane, creative partner for M&C Saatchi: “The entries were compelling with a number of contenders being worthy. Jessica’s work translates exceptionally well in print, and overall delivered to brief, congratulations Jessica. This is an impressive start to her career in advertising and a great addition to her portfolio.”

Running for more than 30 years, AWARD School is a 12-week intensive industry course about idea generation and the creative thinking process. The program is run by more than 40 senior creatives, and accepts around 200 students each year across NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS and NZ, based on the potential of each applicant’s creative thinking as demonstrated in a portfolio submission.