User:Brampitoyo/WK 12

W+K 12 is an experimental advertising school housed inside the Portland, Oregon headquarters of the advertising agency Wieden+Kennedy. The school was cofounded by Jelly Helm, the agency's former creative director who left in 1997 to help build Virginia Commonwealth University's graduate advertising program, Adcenter. W+K 12 brings together thirteen artists, writers, designers, poets, entrepreneurs, and schemers to work on a range of creative and client-based endeavors. .

The program is the subject of WKE (WKEntertainment)'s web documentary serial, 12, and is currently in its ninth year.

History
W+K 12 was launched in early 2004 with the submission instruction "Tell us your story… Charm us. Surprise us. Seduce us."

Application process
Every year, a website in the style of classified advertising is put up to call for applicants. The submissions are narrowed down to 20 to 24 finalists, who will be personally interviewed at the agency's headquarter in Portland, Oregon.

The final thirteen candidates who are chosen to participate in the following year's program are notified and inducted into the program.

Mechanics
W+K 12 is structured and operated similarly to an advertising agency, where students collaborate on the agency's client base under the guidance of a creative director and business partner. Housed within the agency's headquarters, the program has its own dedicated office, studio and critique space located in the heart of the building.

Past client projects have included Farm Aid's Homegrown.org, MTV, America's Second Harvest, Good Magazine, City Golf League, Planned Parenthood, Grokker, Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, November2.org, Wordstock, Paper Magazine, Portland Jazz Festival and Commodore Hotel.

Each student begins the thirteen-month program by working with the director to chart a personal course of study based on strengths and weaknesses, personal experience and professional interest. Fully supported by the resources and guidance of the agency, the school is expected to provide full-service agency services.

Documentary
In 2009, the program became the subject of WKE (WKEntertainment)'s web documentary serial, 12.