Gang,

An idea hit me earlier this week to find ways to create IMPACT. I approach it to my team mates, though they like the idea - the general response there is too much involved to pull it through. I've been waking up every morning thinking about this idea. Nothing has really changed since day one. It was an email that I got today, that made me realize - I've done this before, twice. I've pulled together an event in 10 days. Why not go for another wave and make it bigger. I don't know if I can make it in 10 days, but I sure wanna try.

My goal comes in 3 parts: To wake up agencies from this recession. To get their support and To save the Graduate Series. I call this: AGENCY RUN. The objective is to run from one agency to another as a group and create IMPACT by volume. We don't leave till we get a penny or more in support.

For all of you who take part in the Design Guild of Toronto, remember the Graduate Series started there. It was born right there - from the Design Guild of Toronto. Three years later we are pushing for Graduate 3.0. We have over 10 schools involved - Ryerson, Seneca/York, Humber, Mohawk +more. We are aiming for 200 grads and I have no doubt we will reach this number, we always have.

Agencies on the other hand this year been keeping a tight belt. I don't say they are recession shy, I just think they are not as motivated as much as the last 2 years. All our initiatives lately, in regards of Graduate 3.0 has been through email invites and announcements. I WANT TO DO MORE. I WANT TO DO MORE. I am not ready to give up on this project. I believe in it. There is costs in putting such an event possible, it has been entirely coming from my own pockets. I believe in this project and I want it go on. I WANT TO GRAB ATTENTION. To hit agencies, right there - in their face and get their support. I WANT YOU TO BE PART OF AGENCY RUN.

I need volunteers to coordinate the city's largest AGENCY RUN. Yep, I am hoping to make the city's largest 1 day event. If I can get the schools on board on this and a bunch of volunteers excited to grab some real attention from agencies - then its all well worth it. If you are agency yourself and want to take part - this is even better.

The objective, is to run as a group from one media agency to another - to count on their support of the Graduate Series. It is a simple initiative and 1 day event - The Graduate Series is a non for profit initiative to help recent graduates land yet another paid internship in the fields of Media, Design, I.T. and Publishing through the support and confidence of engaging agencies and creative professionals.

This May 5th, Graduate 3.0 celebrates its third year at Steam Whistle this year, however the way the economy is mis-behaving - agencies are thinking of themselves before thinking of the creative community at large. Entry fees are affordable and managed with the highest return. Design Edge Magazine is a strong supporter of this years Graduate Series, so is Strategy Magazine, Media In Canada and C Magazine. Graduate 3.0 has the support of over 10 schools on board for this years event. Schools like George Brown College, Seneca/York, Humber, Mohawk, Ryerson are one of the many schools who believe in the initiative.


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Believing in the AGENCY RUN, requires your support. donations are welcome, but not the intent of this announcement - however I really want make something out of this.
We need shirts, hats, buttons, donation envelopes, we need food for our volunteers, wordpress gurus, shoutouts and more...

If this something that interests you and think there is a benefit to the community that has lost its way coming together during a period of Recession - please shoot me an email. (tm.mahdi@cg6.com) :D


I'd love to hear your thoughts.


Tm Mahdi, Organizer
DESIGN GUILD OF TORONTO | 1416.238.6881 || TM.MAHDI@CG6.COM