Wunderman Thompson Launches 2023 Helen Lansdowne Resor Scholarship

Nov. 16, 2023

Wunderman Thompson today opens applications for the 2023 Helen Lansdowne Resor Scholarship in partnership with the 4A’s Foundation. Named after Helen Lansdowne Resor, the industry and Wunderman Thompson’s first female copywriter, the scholarship provides female & non-binary students the opportunities and support they need to successfully join the advertising industry’s creative ranks.

Ezinne Okoro, Global Chief Inclusion, Equity and Diversity Officer at Wunderman Thompson said:

"Helen Lansdowne Resor was an unparalleled creative force during her time and her legacy is an impressive feat many of us can only aspire to. It’s been both a pleasure and a privilege to watch last year’s scholarship recipients take their creative bravery to the next level, and we’re delighted to open up the scholarship in Helen’s honor once again, to actively help shape the next generation of leadership and create a more diverse, equitable, and truly inclusive future for our industry."

 

Daniel Bonner and Bas Korsten, Global Chief Creative Officers at Wunderman Thompson added:

“During her time, Helen Lansdowne Resor blazed a trail as one of the industry’s pioneers and first female creatives. This scholarship in her honor is a wonderful opportunity for upcoming female and non-binary students to experience life at the world’s largest creative company and learn from some of the best creative talent the industry has to offer, and we look forward to welcoming them into the fold in the new year.”

 

WPP announced in October the merger of Wunderman Thompson and VMLY&R to create VML, the world’s largest creative company, combining brand experience, customer experience and commerce. The global scholarship opportunity will award four recipients $10,000 towards their creative journey, plus a paid internship at a VML office in their respective region, as well as a mentor from the business and a ‘first look’ placement consideration upon graduation. Winners will have the opportunity to work directly with creative teams and learn what it takes to succeed in the advertising agency.

Applications open on 13 November 2023 and close on 5 January 2024. The scholarship is open to all female and non-binary individuals currently studying in a creative field, who are registered as an undergraduate, graduate, and/or portfolio school. Four scholarships will be given in total, with winners announced in March 2024.

Christine Cozzo – Philadelphia, PA, USA said: 

"My HLR experience gave me an exciting in-depth look into what being a creative at a NYC ad agency is like. I gained perspective on what I want to do when I graduate and made some valuable connections, without a doubt changing my career for the better.”

 

Sira Piazzese Spratte - Buenos Aires, Argentina said: 

"Winning the Helen Lansdowne Resor Scholarship is an honor and a privilege for which I am extremely grateful. I consider this achievement a symbol of thededication I have put into my studies and projects and look forward to making the most of this opportunity. I am very excited for all the knowledge and experiences that I know this internship will give me.”

 

Ilu Shilpakar – Madrid, Spain said: 

"I'm incredibly grateful to have been one of the HLR Scholarship winners. The journey has been challenging, which makes it even more exciting. This is an amazing program for anyone who can apply. It has given me a sneak peak of the real world and the opportunity to collaborate on real work. Now I feel that I'm more than ready to enter the advertising industry and face new challenges.”

 

Charis Liang – Choa Chu Kang, Singapore said: 

"The HLR Scholarship has opened so many doors and I have had the opportunity to work with and learn from excellent mentors at Wunderman Thompson. The scholarship funds have also been instrumental in helping me complete my final semesters of schooling – I would encourage everyone with a passion for advertising to apply."