Agency-side sponsorship has made possible two new training workshops in conjunction with the Spikes Asia creative festival in Singapore.

The Young Craft Academy and the Young Digital Academy bring to six, the total number of academies which include seminar sessions and tutorials. They offer talented young professionals an opportunity to learn from some of the most inspiring and experienced figures in the industry.

The Young Creative Academy, sponsored for the sixth year by Cheil Worldwide, is open to 15 students in tertiary education studying advertising, marketing and communications. This year, David Tan, a lecturer in Singapore Polytechnic Design School will mentor the selected group and lead a tailored programme, including dedicated tutorials from prestigious industry figures such as creative and agency heads. The students will also participate in the Spikes Asia main events.

The Young Marketers Academy also sees continued sponsorship from Dentsu Aegis Network, with Dick van Motman, chairman and CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network, Southeast Asia. “Today's Young Marketers are the future of the industry and programmes like these provide an absolutely transformational experience for these young leaders,” he says.

Introduced last year, the Young Account Executive Academy is designed specifically for young agency account executives, and is supported by McCann Worldgroup Asia Pacific.

BBC Worldwideis backing the Young Media Academy, which Sunita Rajan, EVP Advertising Sales, Asia & Australia, says “offers young marketing and media professionals the chance to be part of a life-changing educational experience”. The Young Craft Academy is backed by new sponsor Lowe Asia Pacific, and the new Digital Academy by Ogilvy & Mather. Regional chairman Paul Heath says Ogilvy looks to mentor young talent to ensure the next generation of innovative thinkers. “The Young Digital Academy provides a rich understanding of the digital creative process and fundamental training in this area, empowering participants with the confidence and tools to take their work to the next level,” he says.

Academy places are limited, email academies@spikes.asia to apply or for more information. Spikes Asia, runs from September 23-26 in Suntec City, Singapore and has an extensive programme of seminars, forums and tech talks running throughout the festival alongside an exhibition of all shortlisted work and various networking events. Full programme details and registration details can be found online at www.spikes.asia.

Building on 27 years of the illustrious Spikes Awards, the Spikes Asia Festival of Creativity is the result of a collaboration between the Lions Festivals, organisers of Cannes Lions, Lions Health, Dubai Lynx and Eurobest, and Haymarket, publishers of Campaign Asia Pacific.