"When I was the last person to leave the venue on Tuesday evening, 13 June, with two boxes full of various props needed for the event, I thought to myself that it certainly made sense. The stress and nervousness finally left me and all I could think about was that we really helped some people tonight," says Miloš Kočí, creative director at VMLY&R, of the first Czech edition of the global Portfolio Night event for Médiář.cz.
The event took the form of a speed-dating session where aspiring creatives had the opportunity to present their portfolio and receive feedback from three different creative directors. According to Miloš Kočí, listening to some well-intentioned advice (and sometimes even criticism) can be extremely valuable for creatives at the beginning of their careers. Based on the portfolios presented, the creative directors selected the winner who will participate in the virtual international round of the competition. "Unofficially, everyone is a winner. Some will take a leap forward, some may get a job offer, but everyone has received valuable advice for their future careers. And the creative directors enjoyed it too. Not just because they saw young blood, which is always refreshing, but also because they had a chance to meet, discuss what's new and maybe even complain a little. Tereza Hendry from McCann Prague sent me a message in the evening saying, "Thank you, it was great!" I went to sleep with the same feeling. And that is why Portfolio Night has a meaning and a future," concludes Miloš Kočí.