The One Club’s Portfolio Night Goes Virtual

The One Club for Creativity has announced two changes to its upcoming Portfolio Night 2021: the program will be held virtually for the first time, and expanded to run May 24-27 instead of on just one night.  

Long recognised as the world’s largest advertising portfolio review program, Portfolio Night is a fast-paced evening of advice, networking and recruitment that typically takes place in dozens of cities all across the globe on the same date to help the next generation of creative talent entering the industry.  

This year, due to continuing restrictions on indoor public gatherings in many cities, the scaled back program will take place virtually, using the club’s advanced online portfolio review system.  

Host agencies and organizations have been confirmed in nine cities this year. Students and other aspiring young creatives can now purchase tickets for the following sessions hosted by and sponsored as indicated:

- May 24: Detroit (hosted by GTB, sponsored by VMLY&R Detroit, H&K and others to be confirmed), Cairo (hosted by Cairo AD School) and Miami (hosted by Alma DDB)

- May 25: San Francisco (hosted by Goodby Silverstein & Partners)

- May 26: Chicago (hosted by Chicago Portfolio School) and Montreal (hosted by Tank Worldwide)

- May 27: Austin (hosted by TOCC Austin Chapter), Lisbon (hosted by Clube Criativos de Portugal) and London (hosted by VMLY&R London)

Since starting in 2003, Portfolio Night has taken place in 70 cities across 45 countries, with nearly 10,000 portfolios reviewed.

Portfolio Night is an important event in advertising because it serves as the gateway for young talent to enter the industry, enabling the best of the present — hundreds of renowned international creative directors — to meet and mentor the leaders of the future in industry hubs around the world. 

It is also a crucial tool for agencies in recruiting top young talent, and providing a platform for recognition from local industry peers.

“Portfolio Night is a unique global event that serves as a high-visibility opportunity for agencies and creative directors to give back to the industry by guiding the earliest steps of future copywriters, art directors, designers and technologists,” said Kevin Swanepoel, CEO, The One Club. “This year’s program has been adjusted to fit the current times, and we are very grateful to the agencies and organizations who continued to step up and make this important global event possible.”

Any agencies, schools or creative organizations in other cities who are interested in hosting a virtual Portfolio Night this year can contact Louis Geist or Jenna Brandvold for more information.

Programme branding for Portfolio Night was developed by London-based designer Alec Tear, with additional 3D modeling and rendering by Louise Tattershall.