MUMBAI: The Times Group, the official representative of Cannes in India, along with The Advertising Club Bombay, is holding a contest to provide students an opportunity to earn the prestigious Cannes Lions Academy Diploma.

The applicants will have to appear for a written test on 3 May 2003, followed by the making of a theme based creative ad at a venue to be announced later, states an official release. The short-listed candidates will be required to participate in a group discussion, followed by an interview 10 May 2003, the release adds.The winner will be declared on 12 May s2003.

While the contest is open only to Ad Club student members, others can also participate by paying a registration fee of Rs 200 before 30 April 2003 between 10.30 am to 3.00 pm.

The winner will get 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.

Applicants must possess a valid passport and be final year students of an applied commercial art course, BMM( Bachelor of Mass Media), B.Com (vocational advertising) or fine arts degree course.