Astro - 4A’s Scholarship Programme Gavin Hoh Off to Berlin to Pursue an Executive MBA programme in Creative Leadership

Friday, 29 January 2010 06:39

The 4As (Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia) and Astro today announced the winner of their post-graduate scholarship, offered in partnership with the Berlin School of Creative Leadership. The scholarship is offered exclusively to 4As members, annually.

The selected recipient Mr. Gavin Hoh, the Creative Group Head of McCann Erickson will enroll for the Executive MBA (EMBA) in Creative Leadership at the Berlin School.

The EMBA programme, which is based on five 2-week modules over a span of one year, will commence on February 28, 2010. The modules will be conducted in Berlin and other creative industry hotspots like New York, LA, Tokyo and Shanghai.

At the scholarship presentation ceremony, Omar Shaari, Council Member of the 4As said, “We are extremely honoured to have the Berlin School of Creative Leadership, at Steinbeis University in Germany to collaborate with us on the Astro - 4A’s Scholarship programme, and to host the recipient of this scholarship.

“This is our first collaboration with this prestigious school in Germany, and we look forward to being able to continue this partnership,” said En. Omar.

The scholarship package valued at RM300,000 (€60,000) will cover the full fees and a stipend for expenses.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       “I am extremely elated for being selected to attend this Executive MBA (EMBA) programme at the Berlin School as it would open up a window of opportunity to interact with reputable names in the international scene. It would also present an opportunity to develop my leadership skills, and add value to both my clients and colleagues at McCann,” said Mr. Gavin Hoh.

 "The Berlin School is pleased and excited that this year's Astro - 4A's Scholarship has been awarded to Gavin Hoh, Creative Group Head – McCann Erickson Malaysia. Of the many strong candidates who applied for the award, Gavin's thesis proposal on how the next generation of Asian brands will rise to dominance impressed the admission committee the most.

“In establishing this scholarship, the Berlin School hopes to acknowledge the fresh creative work coming out of Malaysia at the moment, as well as strengthen ties between Malaysia and the global creative community connected to the Berlin School,” commented Mr. Sheridan Johns, Director of Berlin School of Creative Leadership.

As part of this scholarship programme, Gavin Hoh is expected to submit a thesis at the end of the programme. Upon successful completion of the programme, he will be required to remain in the advertising industry for three years.

The Astro - 4A’s Scholarship programme, which is in its third consecutive year, was first established with the aim of creating post-graduate opportunities for local talents, and provide another avenue to raise creative standards in the Malaysian advertising industry. This is in line with Astro’s belief in helping to add value to the advertising industry in return for the industry’s long-standing support for the company itself.

Two candidates from the advertising industry have since obtained scholarships. The first recipient, Joel Lim completed his Master of Creative Industries (Communication Design) from the Queensland University of Technology, while the second candidate, Ms Aliya Ghows of Draft-FCB, Malaysia is in the midst of completing her final semester at Babson College, Boston.