Ireland has the highest number of advertising executives worldwide sitting the European Advertising Certificate (EAC) yesterday. The EAC, which today took place on April 10th, had thirty eight Irish advertising executives sitting the highly competitive exam.
Aisling Conlon, Business Development Manager, IAPI said “We are delighted that Ireland continues to lead the way in terms of the number of students taking the EAC each year. We started with 22 in the first year (2012) and we have grown at a fast pace in comparison to other countries with 38 taking the exam this year. It’s not an easy task with students having to complete 30 hours of online learning providing a thorough understanding of the advertising industry and its processes. This is then followed by a two-hour written examination. The EAC helps IAPI and member advertising agencies instil a culture of learning from the moment new recruits enter the Irish advertising industry. IAPI training sets the benchmark for professionalism within our industry, making staff more valuable to their agency and the industry as a whole.”
The European Advertising Certificate is an entry level CPD programme for anyone working less than 3 years in an advertising agency in Europe. It is accredited to the European Association of Communication Agencies (EACA) and is recognised by all the leading advertising networks worldwide. IAPI has exclusive rights to run the programme in Ireland. Only IAPI member agency staff can sit the exam.
“Since its launch 3 years ago, nearly 1000 junior agency practitioners were attracted by the EAC qualification. I am pleased to see that new starters are willing to face this challenge and have in interest in getting trained. The EAC Certificate is well on the way to becoming the benchmark qualification for young professionals across the industry” said Dominic Lyle, EACA Director General.
Agencies that have sent staff over the past three years include Carat Ireland, Cawley Nea\TBWA, Chemistry, Clear Blue Water, DDFH&B, Irish International, Mediacom, MediaVest, Mediaworks, Mindshare, Ogilvy, OMD, Radical, Starcom and Vizeum.
