What if cigarette cartons were designed so badly that smokers would kick the habit???

Yes, packaging design is very very important. Click title of this post for a good chuckle.

The Copywriter's Training: Our Blog Post Titles Are Going To Be Awesomer Than Yours Now!

Congrats to our seven copywriters who have made it through (and survived) the rough tough Copywriter's Training!



It's been a long-yet-frustratingly-too-damn-quick six weeks for our copywriters (your humble narrator included) where we had been taken on a long and perilous journey of learning and growing to find our voices.


Working on an array of subjects from dialysis foundations to oatmeal and girly tweet feeds, we learned to pour our hearts and soul (and kidneys too) into writing copy that didn't just talk down to the readers but spoke with them.


The results? Seven very happy copywriters and three impressed Creative heads at the end of the show.

Check out what our kind nurturing judges had to say about 95%, our work and us!


"At 95%, Janet and her team have it by the truckloads. Her passion is a kind of energy that is infectious and you can literally feel it when you enter the room. You see it in her students’ eyes. You hear it when they speak (ok, except for the shy ones). You get it in their work.

Having said that, I don’t think we need more people who can write great copy or do brilliant, insightful ads. That’s easily done. What’s more important are graduates with a sincere, passionate desire to change the world, to positively impact our times. I know Janet has a similar objective and believe 95% has a bigger purpose than churning out mere advertising majors.

You’ll get a strong foundation at this place. That’s obvious. What can only be caught though, is the fire to make the same foundation stronger and to build on it. To all students: You’re in a good place. Actually no, you’re in good hands. Now go out there and do something insanely awesome."

Edward Ong
Chief Creative Officer
Head of Copy, Asia
Y&R - Malaysia



"When I was asked to judge student’s work at the 95%, I reminded myself; go easy, be kind, they’re not professionals yet.

They had just learned to build their own strategies and write ads. And yet, their work showed insight, a sense of purpose and most essentially, charm.

Beyond all the technology, new media and random selling strategies, life as a writer boils down to two things; what you want someone to feel, and what you’re going to say or do to make it so.

They made me feel very positive about the future of young writing talent in this industry."

Gavin Hoh
Creative Group Head
McCann Erickson



"I don’t think there’s any other place that trains aspiring advertising professionals the way 95% does. It equips you with just the right stuff to prepare you for the harsh realities of the ad agency. No fluff, no nonsense.

The advice of my University counselor in Melbourne comes to mind. She said “why don’t you stop your degree course and join my short course in copywriting? You’re doing a pathetic job with your other subjects but you can form proper sentences… sometimes.”

It made perfect sense but we didn’t have that kinda’ course in KL back then. So, I’m really glad that 95% is giving students what we should have had a long time ago. And it shows because the students of 95% never fail to impress."

Alvin Ng
Creative Director
TBWA-ISC\Malaysia

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Well, the road is still long and we'll always have lots more to learn, but this training is definitely a start for us aspiring copywriters.

So if you've missed out on this round's training, that's just too bad!! don't worry, we'll be having another one sometime next year. You've just got to stick around to find out when the next one's going to be.









P/S: This training is only open to graduates of Idea Rawkstarrs
"Must have ideas first"
-Ooi Eu Geen
Idea Rawkstarr Grad
The Copywriter's Training Grad

Janet Shares Her Learnings from Spikes Asia

It's amazing how much the ad scene around the world, and especially in Asia has evolved. In the words of TBWA's John Hunt "Our playground has gotten so much bigger."

This talk aims to open your mind, heart and imagination.

BRAND IDEALS
Created by Chris Garbutt of Ogilvy & Mather Paris
Delivered with permission by Janet Lee

Date : 31 July 2010 (Saturday)
Time : 11am - 1pm
Venue : 95% The Advertising Academy
Fee : RM50. Free for graduates, RM10 for guests of graduates.

Graduates of 95% are those who have completed the following trainings :
Idea Rawkstarrs
Hydrogen
Copywriters In Progress
Ad Newbies In Progress

We've been getting many enquiries already and seats are limited. Book yours fast.
Email janetlee@95percent.com.my

Here's some sharing from Angela, Rawkstarr grad and AE at PWR Design

Angela Lew, an Account Executive at PWR Design had two years of working experience before joining the Idea Rawkstarrs classes in the evening last February.

This is what she had to say about the training and what it did for her:

"I'm actually applying what I've learnt in all modules in my work, and to be frank, everything seems clearer and more precise. Just got compliment from my boss about the strategy i did few weeks ago."

Great job Angela!

Me? A Copywriter? workshop

There is this bubbling within you – the need to inspire, to live each day differently, to touch lives. Here’s how you can channel that feeling through copywriting.

Copywriters are people who write ads.

Ads like the heartwarming Petronas commercials, or slogans like “Just Do It”, or even campaigns like Earth Hour are all conceptualized by copywriters and art directors.

Those ads, slogans and campaigns were once nothing more than a bubbling within someone, somewhere. Today, they’re touching lives and sparking inspiration.

If you enjoy writing and being creative, a career as a copywriter might just be the channel you’ve been searching for.

To find out more, come to the Me? A Copywriter? workshop. You’ll gain a clear understanding of what copywriting is and what the job involves. You’ll also get to explore your potential and how you can get into the industry.

Date : 24th June 2012 (Sunday)
Time : 3pm – 6pm
Venue : 95% The Advertising Academy, Suite 2.02, 1 Jalan Medan Setia 1, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur.
Fee : RM50

For more information, contact Janet Lee at janetlee@95percent.com.my

Idea Rawkstarrs

Idea Rawkstarrs is a 3-month training for Copywriters, Graphic Designers, Account Executives, Marketing Executives and students who aspire to be outstanding.

If you have no background in advertising and you just want to be more creative, this will improve the quality of your ideas.

AWAKEN YOUR CREATIVITY

Everyone is born creative, but many people stop being creative when they grow up. Some are ok with this, but most are not. Have you ever met someone who is always talking and talking about ideas but not doing anything about them? Maybe that someone is you?

That's a sign of your innate talent wanting to be heard. Your creativity is begging to be set free!

Whether you're already nurturing your creativity or still questioning it, the seed is already there. It may be latent but it is there.

For this seed to germinate, you need a catalyst. An alarm clock of sorts, to shock it out of inertia. Then it can start to grow and bloom.

IDEA RAWKSTARRS IS YOUR CATALYST

In this training, there are no textbooks, no long lectures. You'll learn by questioning, experimenting and discussing to arrive at your own conclusions. This develops independence, confidence and originality.

Many have described the training as a roller coaster : you'll sink deeper and fly higher than ever before, and the ride will leave you breathless and exhilarated.

Some have called it a pressure cooker : it is designed to challenge you so that you will develop strength, resilience and the bull-headed determination to blast your way through obstacles.

Some say this training provided them with a space to find themselves. Here, they have permission to experiment and make mistakes. They are free to express, explore and discover what's important to them. Dreams come to life. Goals become clear. Daily activities become energised with a sense of purpose.

The common denominator is that this is a 3-month experience like no other. It is like stepping out of your life and taking a journey into another realm. One from which you will emerge refreshed, recharged and renewed.


A CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE YOURSELF AS SOMEONE AWESOME

 Next Intake starts on 2nd December 2014

Get details on Idea Rawkstarrs : http://bit.ly/4AJv5C

To get more info, email janetlee@95percent.com.my

Marketing to the "Silver Dollar" : Tapping into the retiree market segment

Shaikh Shahnaz and Janet Lee from 95% The Advertising Academy talks about marketing your products to an older crowd, the retirees. Click on the title of this post to listen to the podcast.

The Truth Behind Ethical Branding

Peter Gan and Shaikh Shahnaz from 95% Marketing uncover the truth behind ethical branding and how it can potentially increase the value of a brand on BFM. Click on the title of this post to listen to the podcast.

There is this bubbling within you – the need to inspire, to live each day differently, to touch lives. Here’s how you can channel that feeling through copywriting.

Copywriters are people who write ads.

Ads like the heartwarming Petronas commercials, or slogans like “Just Do It”, or even campaigns like Earth Hour are all conceptualized by copywriters and art directors.

Those ads, slogans and campaigns were once nothing more than a bubbling within someone, somewhere. Today, they’re touching lives and sparking inspiration.

If you enjoy writing and being creative, a career as a copywriter might just be the channel you’ve been searching for.

To find out more, come to the Me? A Copywriter? workshop. You’ll gain a clear understanding of what copywriting is and what the job involves. You’ll also get to explore your potential and how you can get into the industry.

Date : 15th January 2012 (Sunday)
Time : 3pm – 6pm
Venue : 95% The Advertising Academy, 80A Wisma Dicklin, Jalan Bangsar, KL.
Fee : RM50

For more information, contact Janet Lee at janetlee@95percent.com.my

Some sharing from our grads

Here are what some of our graduates have to say about 95%'s trainings and personal growth : -

"I was tired of doing my assignments in university. Almost losing my passion, I never put total effort in everything I did, yet the uni still gave me good marks. Then my friend introduced me to 95% trainings. I was very skeptical at first. But I decided to give it a shot since I had a long holiday at that time and I also wanted to experience something new.

The training itself was not easy. There were many mental breakdowns and failure that happened in between. But I'll just say that everything that I had experienced there is much more precious compared to 19 years of my life. And another great lesson that I have learned, is to be sincere with myself and don't try to satisfy others. Just give 100% of me and I will feel awesome with the result."
- Benyamin Rusli, Student, Limkokwing University College

“Personal growth was intense and nerve racking. For me, the point of it all was to look deep into my heart, mind, body and soul to see what and who I really am. Trust me when I say this, it’s a terrifying place to go that needs all your courage and commitment and then even more to go to. But at the end, you'll emerge from the dark tunnel and see the brightest light you'll ever witness. Somehow, you'll just never be the same again, and it’s for the better.” - Max Choong, Student, Taylor's University College

“The best thing I can say about the 95%'s trainings is that all of them, no matter what the subject was, focused on the core concept of personal improvement. Sure, they offered me skills. Sure, they offered me insights. Sure, they offered me criticism. But they didn't teach me any of that. They offered, and it was my own hand that took what they offered.

Rather, they helped define me. They defined my character, and my limits as I saw them. Then, they showed me alternatives, how to approach things differently, how to think differently, how to perceive things differently. And that's all they did, only show. Again, if I wanted the change, if I wanted the alternative, if I wanted to better myself again and again and again, I had to use my own hands to do it.
So I say, go for Sparks. Learn about yourself. Learn about who you are now. Learn about who you want to be. Learn about who you could be. And learn just how responsible you are for your own life, and how liberating it feels to be aware of it.” – Aiman Azri

“95% is the place where you can get the best out of yourself. Here, I've witnessed how powerful I am and how impossible is actually nothing. Impossibility had actually just been inside of me. But at 95%, I gained more understanding about myself that made me realise that there was nothing in this world that could get in my way of what I wanted to be. This is not just about advertising, this is about myself. 95% helped me gain my confidence and belief, a belief that says "I can be successful". One thing that I got from personal growth was about making peace with myself. The result? It was the best Saturday I have ever spent without having a girlfriend :)” – Randy Raharja, student, Limkokwing University College

The training at 95% made me realise that I had been guarding way too many issues in my life, whether or not it had to do with disappointment, regret or shame with mental padlocks that prevented me from being truthful and happy. Personal growth was a platform for me to find the keys to undo those locks so that I may accept and reconcile with the past. The experience was mind blowing, tear jerking and nerve wrecking but at the end of day, the lesson learnt was so great that I'm sure it was worth every time and effort. - Jia Ming, Copywriter, 95% The Advertising Academy

There is this bubbling within you – the need to inspire, to live each day differently, to touch lives. Here’s how you can channel that feeling through copywriting.

Copywriters are people who write ads.

Ads like the heartwarming Petronas commercials, or slogans like “Just Do It”, or even campaigns like Earth Hour are all conceptualized by copywriters and art directors.

Those ads, slogans and campaigns were once nothing more than a bubbling within someone, somewhere. Today, they’re touching lives and sparking inspiration.

If you enjoy writing and being creative, a career as a copywriter might just be the channel you’ve been searching for.

To find out more, come to the Me? A Copywriter? workshop. You’ll gain a clear understanding of what copywriting is and what the job involves. You’ll also get to explore your potential and how you can get into the industry.

Date : 27 June 2010 (Sunday)
Time : 3pm – 6pm
Venue : 95% The Advertising Academy, 80A Wisma Dicklin, Jalan Bangsar, KL.
Fee : RM50

For more information, contact Janet Lee at janetlee@95percent.com.my

Sparks, A 3-day Training That Guides You to Discover A Greater You

Click here to view larger image.

Sparks, a 3-day training for students who are passionate and work constantly to improve themselves to be the best that they can be. At this training, you will be led to break free from your limiting beliefs that hold you down to gain a clearer vision of what you aspire to be and from there, work towards it with all you've got. The result is a sense of liberation, energy and power to start achieving your goals and aspirations.

You will also have the chance to work with Creative Directors and Account Directors from the industry. This is where you will be guided to channel your creativity into ideas that solve problems, a skill that you can apply not only to your assignments and work, but also your life.

It will be a journey like no other. You will be led to discover more of yourself than you have ever known. And with that, you will find your inner strength to go the distance, to reach for your dreams and conquer them.

For more info, check out Sparks website. You can also contact us at 03-2287 7095 or write in to Janet Lee at janetlee@95percent.com.my or Jon at jon@95percent.com.my

You can also view what some of our graduates have to say about Sparks:
Grace Look | Norman Tang | Ong Sue Yin