Windhoek: Eight students from the College of the Arts (COTA) have completed a three-month creative mentorship programme hosted by Ogilvy Namibia, culminating in the presentation of marketing campaigns to telecommunications company Paratus Namibia.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the programme paired students studying design, photography, and web design with the agency's strategic and creative teams to develop marketing campaigns under professional industry conditions. The collaboration, which started in March this year, required students to work in two agency-style teams and create a marketing campaign using Paratus Namibia as a case study. Participants were tasked with conducting research, developing strategies, creating visual assets, and applying the client's brand guidelines.

The students presented their final campaigns to representatives of Paratus Namibia at Ogilvy Namibia's Windhoek offices on Wednesday, providing them with exposure to a live client environment and professional feedback. Ogilvy Namibia Managing Director Rozanne van der Merwe said the programme was designed to prepare students for the realities of the workplace while strengthening their creative and collaborative skills. "This partnership has been a tremendous success, and we are incredibly proud of the growth shown by the students throughout the programme," she said.

Van der Merwe noted that the students demonstrated a willingness to collaborate, accept constructive criticism, and adapt to changing demands throughout the mentorship. "What stood out most was their willingness to collaborate, take constructive criticism, adapt, and keep pushing forward despite numerous revisions," she added.

The programme was led by Van der Merwe in collaboration with COTA lecturers Clara Schnack, Patrick Mwashindange, and Ebben Kapalie. Before commencing the creative work, students completed a temperament assessment aimed at helping them better understand their working styles within a team environment. The mentorship initiative forms part of Ogilvy Namibia's 30th anniversary activities and builds on COTA's efforts to provide students with practical industry experience through partnerships with the private sector. Ogilvy Namibia has indicated that it intends to support similar mentorship programmes in future.