DMA reveals marketing industry's brightest young talent

Nov. 9, 2010 - PRLog -- Rob Cristie of Nationwide, Lesley Thornton of Post-switch.com, Jane Holmes of Refresh Direct, Gemma Newton of Proximity London and Teresa Speakman of WRM-Media have all been marked out as the ‘ones to watch’ in the direct marketing industry.

The five finalists were selected following an initial round of judging and have faced a gruelling interview process to identify this year’s Young Spark.

The winner will be announced at the DMA Scotland Ball in Edinburgh on Friday 26 November 2010. As well as taking on the title of ‘Young Spark’, the winner will also benefit from the help of a top industry mentor who will provide invaluable advice and support for the entire year.

Entrants were judged by a panel of experts including Ian Armstrong of Honda Motor Europe, Scott Logie of Occam, Lucy Stafford of Mindshare and Alex Walsh of the DMA.

Commenting on the shortlisted candidates, panel judge Ian Armstrong said:

"We're in an incredibly fast moving era of communications with an increasing range of ways in which to engage with consumers and customers. We need to develop and nurture great talent to rise to the challenge of communications over the coming years.  We have found some great examples of individuals who are grasping that challenge with both hands and it’s going to be a challenge to pick a winner."

The Award was launched in Scotland in 2005 in memory of John Young, former WWAV Rapp Collins Edinburgh managing director, who died at the age of just 38. John was recognised as one of direct marketing’s foremost practitioners and the DMA was keen to honour his achievements with an award which encourages new talent and a new generation of direct marketers.

During his career as a direct marketer, John ran Wunderman in Amsterdam, was Joint MD of Claydon Heeley in London and set up CHJM’s Asian operation out of Beijing, before returning to Scotland to head up WWAV Rapp Collins in Edinburgh.

For further information on the Young Spark, visit: www.youngsparkaward.com

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The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) is Europe’s largest and most influential professional body to serve the multi-billion pound direct marketing industry. Through its unique suite of services and programme of activities, the DMA promotes the business interests of its corporate members and drives the growth of the direct marketing industry as a whole.