Junior copywriter, Patrick Trethowan, is to represent Australia in the LIA Creative Conversations in Las Vegas. He’ll get to join the conversation with the CCOs of Creative Artists Agency, Leo Burnett Worldwide, DDB Worldwide, Google Asia Pacific…

The LIA Creative Conversations programme was launched in 2012 to give a voice to young creatives from around the globe. It is geared towards newcomers in advertising, design, digital and production. And the four day event is hosted, run and paid for by LIA. “It is LIA’s way of giving back to the industry and places are limited to no more than 80 juniors worldwide.

At Creative Conversations, the inexperienced and experienced get together to discuss questions about and stories from newcomer experiences. The programme includes seminars and one-on-ones with LIA juries and speakers. This year’s event will be the second in which Creative Conversations attendees will sit in on the final day of LIA judging to hear what is being highly or lowly rated and why.

It is being held in Las Vegas during the week of the LIA judging sessions.

Seventy-five young creatives from around the globe have been chosen to attend the 2014 invitation only event.

Freddie Coltart, senior creative at FCB will represent New Zealand.

This year’s Keynote Speaker is Daymond John, Founder & CEO of FUBU, Star of ABC’s Shark Tank & CEO of Shark Branding, marketing consulting agency.

The 2014 speakers are:

Mel Clements: VP – Branded Entertainment, Fox Digital Studio

Jesse Coulter: Co-CCO – Marketing, Creative Artists Agency

Scott Elias: Founder & Chief Catalyst, LivingWorks Partners

Lizie Gower: Managing Director/ Founder, Academy Films

Kelle Jacob: Manager, North America Strategy; Chair GenNEXT Innovation Committee,

The Estee Lauder Companies

Amir Kassaei: Worldwide Chief Creative Officer, DDB Worldwide

Jonathon Ker: CEO/Partner, Great Guns

Rich Meitin: Adjunct Professor, Minnesota State University

John Merrifield: Chief Creative Officer, Google Asia-Pacific

Wil Mozell: General Manager, Microsoft – Xbox

Rob Reilly: Global Creative Chairman, McCann Worldgroup

Jimmy Smith: Chairman / CEO / CCO, Amusement Park Entertainment

Dörte Spengler-Ahrens: Executive Creative Director, Jung von Matt/Elbe

Mark Tutssel: Global Chief Creative Officer, Leo Burnett Worldwide

Ralph van Dijk: Founding Creative Director, Eardrum