Creative gurus de-construct Portfolio Night 2014

With the 12th edition of Portfolio Night, a platform for young creative aspirants to have their work sampled by top Creative Directors from the industry, round the corner, India’s leading creative minds share their views on the property and give a piece of advice for young creatives.

KS Chakravarthy (Chax), National Creative Director, FCB Ulka

Essence of Portfolio Night
It’s a great platform for budding creative people to meet industry heads and show what they can do – and increasingly, as it gains in popularity, it is giving them a definite goal to work towards – even young creative people work better with a deadline looming.

Expectations
Going by past years, even better work, even more confident youngsters.

Make best use of Portfolio Night 2014
Anything keeps getting better as it evolves; as it stands, Portfolio Night gives industry a one-night opportunity to spot future stars.

Advice to aspiring creatives
Surprise yourself, excite yourself, be your worst critic and keep that as your guiding principle no matter how long you remain in the business.

Rajiv Rao, National Creative Director, Ogilvy & Mather

Essence of Portfolio Night
Portfolio night puts fresh talent face-to-face with the industry’s finest. It's a great platform for young creatives to get their work and thinking evaluated and maybe get lucky with a job offer in one of the best agencies in India.

Expectations
Hoping to see some really kick-ass work and fresh thinking.

Make best use of Portfolio Night 2014
The format gives the advertising industry a chance to find tomorrows stars and guide them in the right direction.

Advice to aspiring creatives
Make the most of this once in a lifetime opportunity. Be prepared, be selective about your work and be fearless.

Shriram Iyer, Executive Creative Director, Lowe Lintas and Partners

Essence of Portfolio Night
I believe that portfolio night is a supremely positive and constructive event for an industry that relies on fresher, newer, thoughts, insights and ideas. ‎And ideas people. Younger talent must be spotted, encouraged and integrated into the industry mainstream and that's exactly what "portfolio night" allows.

Expectations
A larger turnout of entries will be welcome.

Make best use of Portfolio Night 2014
The format seems practical. I think it’ll be more exciting and an added incentive if organizations can instantly offer jobs right at the event. The momentum of the evening tends to taper off post that. So it’ll be great if 'hiring" was further facilitated at the end of the event.

Advice to aspiring creatives
Inspire. Don't look for inspiration.

Josy Paul, Chairman & Chief Creative Officer, BBDO India

Essence of Portfolio Night
The world is full of amazing people waiting to happen. Portfolio night is a reality show where passion finds motivation.

Expectations
I hope to meet that one person who will help me see new light.

Make best use of Portfolio Night 2014
May be we should hold it in a traveling railway train and stop at various platforms to meet students and applicants. That way we go to them instead of the other way around. Railway platforms are the real platforms for exchange.

Advice to aspiring creatives
Don't listen to me, listen to the shit in your head, and do something about it – fearlessly.

Ashwin Varkey, Executive Director, Lowe Lintas and Partners

Essence of Portfolio Night
Portfolio night is an excellent platform for advertising agencies to get better talent. But for a fresher it’s a magical night where you can come, show your work, possibly get a job in a great agency and get tight on booze you can’t otherwise afford.

Expectations
I am expecting to meet some fantastic young people with loads of passion and fresh thinking. I am also expecting the whisky to be expensive.

Make best use of Portfolio Night 2014
I think Portfolio Night shouldn’t just be an annual event.
Secondly, since most creative heads are present on this night (unlike award nights), I wish this could also become a platform where new film directors/ photographers can showcase their work. Even production houses and photographers struggle to get a window with CDs. So it should not be just about copywriters and art directors, this should become a platform for creative minds from different streams to enter advertising.

Advice to aspiring creatives
Be yourself. Don’t follow advice on how to pre-empt and second-guess creative directors. Be honest, fearless and work on having a great portfolio. Remember, you have 15 minutes. Carry not more than ten pieces of work. Leave some time for discussion.

Ashish Chakravarty, National Creative Director, Contract Advertising

Essence of Portfolio Night
Though the format has shades of speed dating, I think it is brilliant. For the hopefuls, it could be a rude jolt, or a shot in the arm; either of which helps steer career paths better. And for the seniors, it's great to soak in the energy, and sometimes be blown to bits by that rare talent.

Expectations
I hope to be blown often, in the course of the evening.

Make best use of Portfolio Night 2014
Sometimes you see a fabulous book, and want to sign the person up right away. Maybe some of the larger agencies can afford to do that, but most have budgets, head-count restrictions etc. So an idea here; could participating agencies, also bring along a client or two to foot the bill; with the understanding that the talent/s identified would work on their business, for a specified time period.  And no, I wouldn't change the format.

Advice to aspiring creatives
I don’t give uniform, off-the-shelf advice. It will be different for each person I meet.

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