J. Walter Thompson has announced the second year of its Helen Lansdowne Resor (HLR) Scholarship, an international opportunity designed to support and promote talented female advertising students, which is named for the first female copywriter at not only at J.Walter Thompson, but the entire industry. Think of her like Peggy from Mad Men, only real and even more inspiring considering she started her career in advertising not in the swinging 60s, but all the way back in 1908! In the spirit of its inspiring namesake, the HLR Scholarship aims to support young women of diverse backgrounds from around the world who aspire to join the creative ranks.
“Helen Lansdowne Resor created brilliant, groundbreaking work because she was a brilliant and groundbreaking creative”
The scholarship hopes to address a major challenge for the global industry, where women, who make up 46.4% of the advertising industry, comprise just 11% of the creative directors in the US and 14% globally. Last year’s scholarship recipient group, across South Asia, North America, MEA, LATAM and Europe, included students from Miami Ad School Europe, Pratt Institute and the American University of Sharjah. The HLR Scholarship will award five individual scholarships up to $10,000. Additionally, each HLR Scholarship recipient will receive a paid summer internship with a J. Walter Thompson office in her respective region, a J. Walter Thompson mentor and a “first look” placement consideration upon graduation.
Helen Lansdowne Resor
Matt Eastwood, J. Walter Thompson’s Worldwide CCO, said of the scholarship: “Helen Lansdowne Resor created brilliant, groundbreaking work because she was a brilliant and groundbreaking creative. Her work has shaped the way we make work today. There are likely so many more Helens in the world waiting for their opportunity to break into the industry. As a seasoned creative who had lots of help and lots of mentorship early on, it’s nice to pay it forward with a scholarship opportunity that gives young creative talent a really phenomenal opportunity to break in and get ahead.” J. Walter Thompson CEO, Tamara Ingram, added: “I truly believe that diversity of spirit and diversity of people produces a diversity of ideas that only help to fuel the creative solutions we provide to our client partners. It’s fantastic that something like the HLR Scholarship can help to create the kind of change we want to see in the ad world.”
“Diversity of spirit and diversity of people produces a diversity of ideas that only help to fuel the creative solutions we provide to our client partners”
Helen Lansdowne Resor began her pioneering half-century-long career with J. Walter Thompson in 1908, and quickly became a guidepost to female creatives of her generation as a champion for the advancement of women’s rights both inside and outside the agency. During her tenure, J. Walter Thompson was known as the “Women’s Agency,” where bright young female talents had a chance to succeed. As a brilliant creative, working mother and icon in advancing women’s rights, she overcame significant barriers as a true pioneer. She is also responsible for some of the industry’s most prized historical work, including the use of celebrity testimonials through endorsements from socialites, European royalty and other well-known women in her work for Pond’s Cold Cream. The scholarship is open to eligible students from select schools globally. Applications must be submitted here by May 15, 2016.
