MUMBAI: The Advertising Club, Bombay and The Times Group, the official representative of Cannes in India, is offering an opportunity to students this summer to earn the prestigious Cannes Lions Academy Diploma.

A statement issued by the Ad Club Bombay states that the contest is open only to Ad Club student members; however, others can also participate by paying a registration fee of Rs 200. Applicants must possess a valid passport and be final year students of an applied commercial art course, BMM, B.Com (vocational advertising) or fine arts degree course.

The written test for the same will be held on 3 May 2003 for all those students who registered by 30 April 2003. This will be followed by the making of a theme based creative ad at a venue to be announced later. Their work will be judged by a panel of top ad professionals. Shortlisted candidates will be required to participate in a group discussion and appear for an interview on Saturday,10 May, 2003. The name of the final winner will be announced on Monday, 12 May 2003.

AD Club secretary MG Parameswaran was quoted as saying: "The Advertising Club Bombay will sponsor the winner who gets an all expenses paid seven day trip to the Cannes Advertising Festival plus the Cannes Lions BA Scholarship involving one week of training under Michael Conrad who was earlier with Leo Burnett Worldwide."