Wieden+Kennedy Tokyo launches a creative accelerator program: The Kennedys

Wieden+Kennedy Tokyo has launched 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 a 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, they will hold an open house for interested applicants at W+K+, Wieden+Kennedy Tokyo’s gallery space in Nakameguro.

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, said, “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.”

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. View the link for more works done in Amsterdam.

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.

Requirements

Must be 20 years old or older.

Possess unique creative vision and able to speak Japanese (English proficiency a plus, but not necessary.) They 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.

1. Please invent a single kanji character that means “partial love.”

2. How would you draw a straight line on a deserted island?

3. Take a photo of “ordinary.”

4. What concept do you want to destroy the most?

5. What would be a new form of tax that people would be happy to pay.

6. Announce the last place entry for the 2017 Salarymen Senryu poetry contest.

7. Create a soccer team of your favorite celebrities. Include general description such as

positions.

8. If you could add a joint anywhere on your body, where would it be and how would you

use it?

9. Make a how to video on anything.

10. Do something unexpected.

Deadline: Friday July 21st, 2017