TOKYO – Wieden+Kennedy Tokyo announces the launch of The Kennedys, a creative accelerator program to find and help the next breed of creatives apply their talent. The program was started in W+K Amsterdam in 2011, and has been adopted by other W+K offices in London, San Paolo, and Shanghai. Five applicants will be selected to form an experimental and independent group within the agency, with a mission to be a competitive, anarchic team that works on short-term projects, producing real work for real clients. They will learn how to use their creativity to make a powerful impact on the world.
The name “The Kennedys” is an homage to David Kennedy – co-founder of Wieden+Kennedy, art director and philanthropist. Past program graduates have successfully secured jobs in W+K offices, other agencies, and clients around the world. W+K Tokyo is seeking five students, regardless of age, nationality, and occupation, available to live in Tokyo and participate in the program for seven months starting August 2017. In June, we will hold an open house for interested applicants at W+K+, Wieden+Kennedy Tokyo’s gallery space in Nakameguro. Representatives will be available to answer any questions you may have.
What is The Kennedys?
It is not a school or an internship but an accelerator program for the next generation of creatives. It’s a place for talented creators to come together, to learn and apply their talent to real work.
Alvaro Sotomayor, founder of The Kennedys and long-time W+K Amsterdam Creative Director, says, “This program was created to benefit those that believe in the new and the power of ideas for the benefit of our world. Expanding into Tokyo is an exciting opportunity for The Kennedys to grow, explore and cultivate even more talent across our network, and to hopefully pump out more awesome solutionists into the world.”
Wieden+Kennedy Tokyo’s Executive Creative Director Mike Farr commented, “The Kennedys are a diverse collection of thinkers and makers who believe in the power of ideas to move culture. In bringing this global program to Tokyo, we hope to help some unique Japanese talents unearth and hatch their potential to bring their ideas to life in whatever way they want.”
The Kennedys – reel from The Kennedys on Vimeo.
International Track Record
Since its founding in 2011, The Kennedys have engaged in various campaigns locally and globally. Their clients have included Nike and Spotify.
Recruitment Overview
Number of openings: 5
Program term：End of August, 2017 to Mid-March, 2018
Venue：153-0051 1-7-13 Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
A minimum wage salary will be paid to program participants.
http://kennedys.jp/
Requirements
Must be 20 years old or older.
Possess unique creative vision and able to speak Japanese (English proficiency a plus, but not necessary.) We are looking for photographers, writers, artists, designers, filmmakers, animators, game designer, and plotters with a unique creative vision. Previous advertising experience is not necessary.
How to apply
Please apply by answering the following 10 questions.
- Please invent a single kanji character that means “partial love.”
- How would you draw a straight line on a deserted island?
- Take a photo of “ordinary.”
- What concept do you want to destroy the most?
- That would be a new form of tax that people would be happy to pay.
- Announce the last place entry for the 2017 Salarymen Senryu poetry contest.
- Create a soccer team of your favorite celebrities. Include general description such as positions.
- If you could add a joint anywhere on your body, where would it be and how would you use it?
- Make a how to video on anything.
- Do something unexpected.
Deadline: Friday July 21st, 2017
Updates will be posted on the following SNS.
Instagram > https://www.instagram.com/wktokyo/
Facebook > https://www.facebook.com/wktokyo/
Twitter > https://twitter.com/wktokyo
Application questions, please contact
Wieden+Kennedy Tokyo
Kenji Tanaka, The Kennedys Program Director kenji.tanaka@wk.com
