Nine teams of young media planners participated in the POP Press Planning competition at the Factory on Barrow Street on April 28th.

Teams from Carat/Vizeum, OMD, PHD, MediaVest, MEC, Initiative, Mediacom and Mindshare devised strategies designed to showcase the range and effectiveness of the various print and online platforms that make up NewsBrands Ireland.

The teams had just a few short hours to prepare their strategies and plans and representatives from the various NewsBrands Ireland advertising departments were on hand to provide information about their products and answer questions. Each team was then given just six minutes to present to the judges: Ger Roe, Creative Director Publicis, Jennifer Fitzsimons, National Advertising Manager, Harvey Norman and Ruth Payne, Media Director Javelin, panel Chairman.

The teams were judged on the basis of five criteria: Interpretation of the Brief; Strategic Thinking; Best Use of the Medium; Use of Budget; and Presentation Skills.

The winning strategy was devised by a team representing PHD: Kevin O’Sullivan, Carina Moran, Emer O’Donoghue and Alex O’Connor.

L to R: Vincent Crowley, Chairman NewsBrands Ireland, Emer O’Donoghue, Carina Moran and Alex O’Connor (all PHD), Dara McMahon, Director NewsBrands Ireland, Kevin O’Sullivan, PHD and Ruth Payne, Media Director Javelin.

Ruth Payne, Chairman of the judges congratulated the team from PHD on an engaging and entertaining presentation. “PHD demonstrated great understanding and interpretation of the brief and presented clever and innovative ideas which would certainly generate talk-ability for the brand,” said Ms Payne.

Teams from OMD and Mindshare were highly commended by the judges.