Press release
Aberdeen Students Win Career Nurturing Opportunity
Three students from Gray’s School of Art, Aberdeen have won the chance for their art to be used in a high profile international advertising campaign for Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance.
Thom Whyte (20), Heather Wood (20), and Leo Philp (19) won the Scottish heat of Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance’s ‘The Art of Nurture’ competition, an initiative designed to help the cream of the UK’s art students to develop a commercial career.
The three beat stiff competition from short listed students from across Scotland whose submissions were judged by a panel of experts from the arts, advertising and business communities.
Thom, Heather, and Leo will now progress to April’s national final in London where they will go head-to-head with students from five other regions from across the UK and finalists from an all Ireland competition.
As well as seeing their art used in a high profile commercial environment, the overall winner will receive £5,000 for themselves and £5,000 for their college or university.
The winning student will also have the opportunity to further boost their career prospects by undertaking a unique three-week paid placement with a top London-based creative agency.
‘The Art of Nurture’ has been developed by Commercial Finance; the asset based lending division of Lloyds TSB, and is supported by Arts & Business, the national charity dedicated to encouraging new and sustainable arts and business relationships.
Last year’s inaugural contest was a runaway success. The marketing campaign which featured work by last year’s winner Zara Picken, an illustration student from the University of the West of England, helped to generate a 40 per cent uplift in new client numbers for Commercial Finance.
The strategy also played a pivotal role in the funder being ranked number one in the asset based lending industry for awareness and service quality amongst advisors.
Aberdeen-born winner, Thom Whyte, said: “Being selected to go forward to the UK final means I’ll be competing with thousands of students. It’s the first step towards seeing my work used in a high profile commercial environment.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to boost my portfolio and develop skills for my future career, and I’m delighted to have got this far in the competition.”
Ronnie McIntyre, managing director of Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance Scotland said: “I am delighted and excited by both the quantity and quality of the work submitted by Scotland’s students and the judging of the art has proven difficult and challenging.
“All the regional winners interpreted the brief accurately and delivered a truly impressive piece of work, worthy of use in a major campaign.”
Ian Byers, marketing director at Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance, said: “The visuals used by our marketing campaigns are designed to support specific messages regarding our skills and expertise.
“The winning pieces illustrate, in a creative and interesting way, our financial solutions and approach to the market.
“This talent and commitment will stand all three students in good stead at the national final and throughout their commercial careers.”
The judges for the Scottish heat were:
• Carol Taylor, Arts Services Manager, Arts & Business Scotland
• Kenny Allan, Creative Director, The Hub Agency
• Lynsey Smith, Manager, Creative Entrepreneurs Club
• Ronnie McIntyre, Managing Director, Scotland
• Ian Byers, Marketing Director, Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance
• Matt Frost, Creative Director, Tangible Financial.
Further details can be found at ltsbcf.co.uk/art-of-nurture/
7 March 2008
Issued on behalf of Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance by Citypress.
More information: Mary Pollard or James Lloyd-Davies on 0161 606 0260/ mailto:mary.pollard@citypress.co.uk
Notes to Editors:
Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance (www.ltsbcf.co.uk) is part of the Lloyds TSB Group. Its services can meet the needs of businesses ranging from start-up through to major global PLCs. This holistic approach to asset based lending (ABL) means that customers benefit from a far more tailored approach to finance where different elements of ABL can be added to the funding mix according to the needs and lifecycle of the individual business.
Asset backed lending offers a flexible and secure way for businesses to raise the finance they need for expansion, growth, MBOs, MBIs and other opportunities, against assets such as the debt book, stock, plant and machinery and property.
Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance is part of the Lloyds TSB Group plc.
