Copy School founder Ray Black hands over reins to ad legend John Bevins ahead of 2020 program
Copy School founder and chairman Ray Black has today announced his decision to step back from the leading copywriting school, handing over the reins to fellow ad legend John Bevins.
Black (left) established Copy School, supported by NewsMediaWorks, in 2003, as an avenue to develop top-quality copywriting across the creative industry.
The school now operates annually in both Melbourne and Sydney, offering a stellar line-up of guest creative tutors from Australia’s advertising and copywriting elite, as well as news media executives, keen to pass on their knowledge.
Says Black: “I am deeply grateful for the dozens of tutors who have generously given their time over the years to offer up lessons from the industry. These people have always enthusiastically accepted the invitation to participate and share their experiences for the benefit of the next generation of copywriters; the practical knowledge they’ve offered has been priceless.”
He also extended his gratitude to NewsMediaWorks for their support, and in particular, Kylie Hannah for her enthusiasm and hard work behind the scenes.
Incoming chairman John Bevins (right) said Black had left big shoes to fill, but he was looking forward to taking up the challenge: “Copy School has a reputation of uncovering strong copywriting talent across the creative industry and I intend to continue that legacy. The enthusiasm Ray has created over the years – from tutors, students and NewsMediaWorks – will ensure Copy School’s ongoing journey is a rich one.”
This year’s Copy School will be held in Melbourne from 23 – 27 March and in Sydney from 4 – 8 May. Information about applications, along with the full line-up of guest speakers will be released soon.
Says Peter Miller, CEO, NewsMediaWorks: “I’d sincerely like to thank Ray for his dedication and commitment to Copy School over the past 17 years. Copy School is renowned for turning out strong copywriters, who have greatly benefitted from sessions with the industry’s best. Ray’s vision for matching creative up and comers with Australia’s best writers has been hugely successful. We look forward to working with John to continue this program.”
For more information on Copy School, please contact Kylie Hannah on 0404 000 664 or email kyliehannah@newsmediaworks.com.au.
7 Comments
BTW, Ray’s gratitude to all the speakers grows deeper day by day.
Their giving back’s a big thing to the man who himself has given back so much to the ad industry
Also, N.B: Chris Taylor will continue to run the show in Melbourne. He’s an in inspiration, saw him when I was a speaker there last year.
Good job guys
Ray Black is one of the great unsung heroes of Australian advertising. Ray has given more to our industry than he’s ever taken from it. Many a young creative is indebted to Ray for the opportunities he’s helped create for those wanting to make advertising their career. Talented, caring, committed, reliable, generous and decent. He chose to help when others wouldn’t. Good luck and thank you Ray. You truly are one in a million.
Glad to have had the opportunity to learn under Ray and co. for his final year of Copy School. Wish him all the best.
How fitting. Ray and John. Two big men.
They have made the business they love better for so many.
Ray hasn’t just helped up and comers through copy school. When I did AWARD school 15 years ago he was a constant presence and helped organise and coordinate super craft.
A very generous talent.
The industry will benefit from the service of Ray and John for years to come. Well done you two unsung heroes.