DDB initiates talent contest for interns

<P>DDB Singapore has taken a Hollywood-style approach to finding talent with the inaugural DDB Apprentice 2006 competition, pitting six local graduates against each other to vie for a cash prize and a job at the agency. <BR><BR>"Agencies in Singapore tend to separate left and right brains," said David Tang, president of DDB Singapore. "We purposely chose students from business and arts, because in advertising, you need both sides of the brain." <BR><BR>The candidates spent a month each under creative and account servicing supervision. After this period, two teams were formed to compete in a mock pitch, judged by Tang, MD Richard Bleasdale, and Asia-Pacific president John Ziegler. <BR><BR>The competition was also blogged for teachers, parents and friends to stay up-to-date with each new development. According to Tang, the blog achieved more than 12,000 hits in the first two months. <BR><BR>Along with Family Day and Unleash Week, DDB Apprentice 2006 is aimed at enhancing employee work culture and attracting top young talent to the agency. </P> <P><BR> </P>