J. Walter Thompson Company recently announced the second year of its Helen Lansdowne Resor (HLR) Scholarship, a pioneering international opportunity designed to support and promote talented, creative, female advertising students.
Named after Helen Lansdowne Resor, the industry’s and J. Walter Thompson’s first female copywriter, the HLR Scholarship aims to support young women of diverse backgrounds from around the world who aspire to join the creative ranks. 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 U.S. (3% Conference, 2014) and 14% globally (The Advertising Society, 2014).
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 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 cultural barriers as a true pioneer. She is also credited with some of the industry’s most innovative historical advertising, 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.
