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Big Apple is right ingredient for student
International company 4 Ingredients have dished up a life-changing opportunity to a University of the Sunshine Coast student by providing him with a free ticket to the world’s largest gathering of digital marketers.
James Banks, 19, of Maroochydore will attend New York’s famous ad:tech conference next month (8 November) and mix with 10,000 of the industry’s most entrepreneurial and innovative marketers.
The second-year Bachelor of Computer-Based Design student was offered the conference ticket, worth $US5,000, shortly after securing an internship with 4 Ingredients.
James, who has his own freelance web design and development business, will assist 4 Ingredients in an e-commerce role during the internship later this year.
Listing web design and development as his major passion, James said he was looking forward to ad:tech, and the chance to mix with elite web entrepreneurs.
“This is a massive networking opportunity for me, and ad:tech will give me an insight into the web industry now, and into the future,” he said.
“After I was offered the ticket, I took on extra work with an employer who I am currently working under contract for, to raise money for flights and accommodation.”
USC academic Selina Tomasich said James will soon be rubbing shoulders with the “who’s who” of digital marketing and online social media.
“James will be meeting the likes of David Fischer from Facebook, Wendy Clark who is the Senior Vice President of Coca-Cola Marketing worldwide, and Marc DeBevoise of Entertainment CBS Interactive,” she said.
“This alone will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for James.”
4 Ingredients Online Social Media and Business Development manager Michelle Evans, who will host one of the conference’s “Hot Room” events, said ad:tech was a chance to learn from the best in the industry.
“This is the largest gathering of digital brand managers in the world,” she said.
“It creates a wonderful opportunity for a local university to enter the global stage in eco-commerce, digital marketing and entrepreneurship.”
— Michelle Widdicombe