Last year's Summer School, which costs around £30,000 to run, was cancelled due to insufficient funds. The IDM is working hard to attract new patrons to support its work.
Barrie Spelling, chair of the IDM Education Trust expressed his gratitude to Royal Mail, adding that "it is virtually certain that as a result of this action other companies will also pledge and the summer school will be reinstated."
Antony Miller, head of media development at Royal Mail said he had been extremely disappointed to hear that the school hadn't received sufficient financial support from the industry: "It is critical that our profession continues to attract bright talented graduates and the IDM Summer School does just that. I'm therefore pleased to pledge Royal Mail's financial assistance to help fund the 2009 School and urge others to do the same," he said.
At the event, keynote speaker and creative guru Steve Harrison described the beginnings of his advertising career as an ‘unmarketable' postroom junior. "A series of cock ups and coincidences - and lots of luck got me to where I am today," he said.
Yet Harrison added that training was crucial to ensure the survival of the industry. "I was luckier than you. Training isn't on the agenda any more. As it's disappeared over the past 15 years, the IDM has been filling that gap."
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