As well as its seminars, forums and awards presentations, this year’s three-day Spikes Asia will feature a new collection of talent and training initiatives.

The Think Tank, in association with J. Walter Thompson, is designed for senior marketers and brand managers working in client organisations within the APAC region.

YouTube Creative Hack, for professionals aged 30 and under, is a one-day challenge to create a mini-campaign.

Five Young Spikes Academies will help the brightest talent aged 30 years or under move ahead in their careers. Each academy is carefully structured for a different career discipline, and combines classroom speakers and main stage content. Each student will learn to think about their personal brand to help them achieve their potential.

• Young Creative Academy is sponsored by Cheil Worldwide and led by Noor Azhar, senior lecturer, SP Design School
• Young Account Executives is led by commercial marketer, Catherine Williams-Treloar
• Young Digital is led by John Lambie, founder and director The Appalladium Pty Ltd.
• Young Marketers will learn from Khoo Kar Khoon, former communications director at Nestlé Malaysia
• Young Media is led by Pete Mitchell, Partner at Kudos Content.

This year’s Young Spikes competitions, supported by Grey Group, give professionals, aged 30 years or under, two days to create innovative campaigns across integrated, media, digital and the Student Creative Award for Print.

Steve Latham, director of talent and training for Spikes Asia, commented, “Supporting the young rising stars of communications has always played a central role in the spirit of Spikes Asia to ensure we represent and support the future innovators and award-winners of the industry.”

Delegates can still register to attend the Festival, that runs September 21-23. Everything you need to know is here.