Design Indaba Expo 2008:
Live design competition by The Times

The Times calls young creatives to showcase their talent in a live design competition on the Design Indaba Expo floor from February 23 to 26, 2008.

The Times daily newspaper is calling all ad agencies to showcase their impressive young talent by entering a team into its Young Creatives Competition being held at Design Indaba. The competition will take place at The Times stand at Design Indaba where delegates can catch a glimpse of the creative process in real-time.  

"As South Africa's first interactive newspaper, The Times embraces and supports pioneering innovation," says Enver Groenewald, general manager of advertising strategy, trade marketing and strategic communications at Avusa Media.

"For this reason it is essential to have a noticeable presence at this year's Design Indaba at the Cape Town International Convention Centre - an expo that showcases groundbreaking and inventive work."

The Times stand will consist of a glass "fishbowl" where an art director and copywriter will be on show while creating a print ad on a topical subject, for a fictitious client. The public will be able to view creatives cracking a brief within two hours with plasma screens displaying the work as it is being created.  

"The ad agencies are one of our key stakeholders and through this event we want to put them literally in the spotlight to showcase their exceptional talent," points out Groenewald.

All ads will be judged by an independent panel of advertising experts. Apart from the exposure that agencies will enjoy on the day, the winning agency will also receive a full page in The Times to be used for a pro bono client of their choice. This placement adds up to the value of R49 608, excluding VAT and including agency commission.

Both members of the winning team will also win a trip to Zanzibar for themselves and their partner. This includes flights, transfers, ORTambo airport taxes, accommodation for seven nights at the Sultan Suite in a private villa, and all meals prepared by a private chef.

To participate in this exciting competition, agencies can contact:
Michelle Mogo
Avusa Communications
Tel: (011) 280 3248
E-mail confirmation to mogom@avusa.co.za.

As soon as the confirmation has been received, a copy of the brief that the team will be working on will be sent. Entries close on February 20.

Terms and conditions include:

•  Entrants must be 29 years of age or younger at time of participation.
•  The teams must consist of an art director and copywriter. 
•  Participating agencies are responsible for own travel to and accommodation in Cape Town, as well as entrance fee to the Design Indaba.
•  Entrants must be willing to be photographed for publicity.
•  Teams have to report to The Times stand 30 minutes before their scheduled time.
•  No equipment or elements that can be used for the creative process will be allowed. All necessary equipment will be provided by The Times.
•  The judges' decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
•  The winning agency will be notified either via e-mail or telephonically.
•  Entrants must have a valid passport to qualify for the prize.
•  Prizes cannot be exchanged for cash.

Issued by:
Alison van den Heever
Ogilvy PR, Cape Town
Tel: 021 4671346 or 082 760 9691

On behalf of:
The Times
Susan Russell on Tel: 011 280 5186
Michelle Mogo on Tel: 011 280 3248

DESIGN INDABA 2008
Design Indaba will fortify as the South African Design Week in 2008, with the expo and conference programme running over a week from Saturday 23 February to Friday 29 February 2008.

DESIGN INDABA EXPO
For the fifth time, the Design Indaba Expo will offer a curated commercial platform for South African designers to showcase local goods and services to the global market. Based on the success of the 2007 event, which played host to more than 20 000 visitors, the 2008 event has been extended for an extra day, running from Saturday 23 to Tuesday 26 February, 2008. The Expo will also be even bigger than before with more floor space, a host of new exhibitors and a brand-new dedicated fashion arena with day-long shows and movie festivals.

DESIGN INDABA CONFERENCE
The Design Indaba Conference will run from Wednesday 27 February to Friday 29 February, 2008. Judged the best conference in the world by EIBTM in Barcelona, the conference has played host to luminaries from all over the world since 1995 and been sold out for the past three years.

SPECIALIST INDABAS
Due to demand from delegates and the public to attend the Specialist Indabas, these will run parallel to the Expo on Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 February 2008. These two-hour architecture, fashion and jewellery events feature local and international designers debating the contribution of these creative sectors to the South African economy. Bookings for Specialist Indabas open at Computicket on 14 January 2008.

YOUNG DESIGNERS SIMULCAST
As part of Design Indaba’s ongoing commitment to design education, Design Indaba 2008 will again offer a Young Designers Simulcast, catering to young designers and students under the age of 25. This is a live broadcast from the main plenary session to a second auditorium. Students and young designers will be able to access speakers in short, informal chat sessions during and at the end of the day.

DESIGN INDABA JOURNALISM WORKSHOP
For the first time, Design Indaba is presenting the Design Indaba Journalism Workshop in conjunction with the Design Indaba Expo taking place from February 23 to 26, 2008. New York design critic and assistant professor at Parsons, Susan Yelavich will lead the workshop with the assistance of an international team of acclaimed editors, journalists and writers. The cost is R1500 per person. To apply for participation, please contact Deborah Weber.

For more detailed information about the above activities taking place, and for related high-resolution images, please contact:

Deborah Weber
E-mail: deborah@interactiveafrica.com

Nadine Botha
E-mail: nadine@interactiveafrica.com

Tel: (021) 465 9966
Website: www.designindabaexpo.com