IYXE is part of the series of International Young Creative Entrepreneur (IYCE) awards. The International Young Creative Entrepreneur Awards were devised by the British Council’s Creative Economy Unit to celebrate the achievements and to develop the potential of young creative entrepreneurs across the world.

IYXE highlights the contribution that entrepreneurs in the sector make to the development of their country’s communications sector, both through their championing of talented designers, journalists, brand managers and producers and through their understanding of the market. IYXE recognises that only a strong, vibrant and diverse national communications sector can develop the local talent that a local market demands.

IYXE seeks to champion and celebrate the importance of creative entrepreneurs working in the communications sector. Launched in 2009, it will champion the achievements of young communications entrepreneurs and showcase international innovation in communications promotion, management and business development. It will provide an insight into the UK sector and stimulate opportunities for collaboration. It will highlight the UK’s role as a global centre and the nexus for cultural, creative and commercial exchange.

The ten countries are taking part in IYXE in this inaugural year — selected from the British Council’s network of offices in 110 countries worldwide — are all emerging economies: Armenia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Latvia, Kuwait, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia and Slovenia. The finalists from these countries will visit the UK in March 2009 to undertake a common programme where they will take part in valuable networking both with key UK communications sector partners and amongst their IYXE peers.

A two week tour will take them to London and at least one other UK region/city (probably Manchester and Brighton) to meet leaders of the communications sector. The tour will comprise visits, meetings, seminars and events. We anticipate that it will also include a master-class with a key figure in the UK communications industry during which the finalists will be able to question him/her about the development of his highly successful communications business.

The programme will be tailored to the finalists’ interests, and include both a group itinerary for the finalists to get a shared overview of the best of the UK communications sector and specific meetings to introduce finalists to UK contacts of particular interest to them for commercial or collaborative purposes.

Finalists will:

			Attend events organised by D&AD — an educational charity that represents the global creative, design and advertising communities.
			Take part in a showcase opportunity to promote innovative work from their country which they feel is appropriate for the UK and wider international market.
			Website showcase: In addition, work selected for the showcase will also be featured on our Creative Economy webpage for visitors to vote for their favourite.
			Participate in the IYCE award ceremony, where the award winner will be announced.

Win an all-expenses paid 14 day tour of the UK communications industry and creative industries. Tour programme:

			Meet leading UK industry figures and fellow young creative entrepreneurs.
			Attend events organised by D&AD — educational charity that represents the global creative, design and advertising communities.
			Showcase your individual achievement and potential.
			Promote top quality Latvian communications industry to an international market.
			Compete in an internationals competition to for a ₤7,500 project grant to partner with the British Council and UK communications industry.
			Develop your own career through international experience.
			Network with other international finalists from across the world.
			Take part in a wide range of business networking opportunities in the UK.

Participants from Latvia, aged 25–35 from any of the following areas of the Communications sector:

			Advertising and branding agencies.
			Public relations agencies.
			Photography agencies.
			Graphic design agencies.
			Print media, to include newspapers and magazines.
			Broadcast media, to include radio, television and internet.
			Direct marketing agencies.
			Consultants providing specialist services in any of the areas outlined.

Candidates must:

			be aged between 25 and 35 (during their visit to the UK)
			be a Latvia’s citizen; proof of citizenship must be presented upon the Organiser’s request
			already work in the Communications sector (as defined above) with at least 3 years experience
			be entrepreneurial and have shown their ability in the promotion of the Communications sector in their country, particularly in a commercial context
			through their character, drive and abilities, demonstrate their potential to be a future leader of the sector in their country
			have a keen interest in the UK and its communications sector
			have a very good command of spoken and written English (competent user)
			be able to travel to the UK in March 2009 (if you win the Latvian stage of the Competition).

Download the application form or pick up an application form at our office.

Complete the application form and send it via e-mail to mail@britishcouncil.lv or return via post: Blaumana Str.5a-2, Riga LV-1011, Latvia by 26 January 2009 (until 5pm).

Make sure you enclose the following with your application form:

• a passport size photograph
• portfolio of your most successfully realised projects
• any other relevant documents or information.

Clearly mark your e-mail subject or your application envelope with ‘IYXE Award’.

10 shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview (guidlines will follow).

Interviews are expected to take place in from 2 to 6 February 2009.

In March 2009 the finalists from ten participating countries will participate in 14-day visit in the UK, meeting industry proffessionals and compeating for International prize with other winners.

In London the selection of the winner of IYCE 2009 will be based on a 20 minute presentation, followed by a Q&A session, made by each candidate to an elite panel of representatives of the UK communications industry sector.

The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony.

Ingrīda Krīgere
Memebr of the Board, Latvian Advertising Association

Andris Rubīns
Executive Director, DDB Latvija, Latvian Art Directors Club

Inga Latkovska
Latvian Public Relations Companies Association, Head of the Board

Anna Muhka
Dienas Mediji, Head of Public Relations

Arnis Sauka
Stockholm School of Economics Riga, Lector, Entrepreneurship and Business Planning

Lauris Liberts
Founder and co-owner of Draugiem.lv

Agita Kalviņa
British Council Latvija, Director

Maija Ūdre
British Council Latvija, Marketing and Communications Manager

Sergejs Kruks
Riga Stradiņš University Faculty of Communication, Associated Professor