New York - Capitalizing on last year's successful launch, The Association of Graphic Communications (AGC) is proud to announce the 2nd Annual "Student Ad Campaign Contest" and is seeking industry professionals to serve as mentors. The initiative offers graphics arts students from public schools in New York City, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut the opportunity to create, design and produce a real advertisement for use by Literacy Partners, a successful volunteer-based not-for-profit organization that teaches adult and family literacy in New York City. AGC is seeking experienced industry professionals to mentor student teams and guide them through the creative process, as the students design, create and produce an actual advertisement utilizing a creative brief supplied by Literacy Partners. The five-week mentorship requires a commitment of approximately one to three hours a week from mid-September to October 20, 2004. The contest will serve as the centerpiece of AGC's 4th Annual Graphic Communications Day conference at Madison Square Garden on November 4th, where the winners will be announced. Last year's winning ads, designed by high schoolers from Manhattan and Staten Island, ran in Newsweek magazine and on MTA buses in New York City. "The role of the mentor is particularly important to our unique annual partnership with AGC," said Susan A. McLean, Executive Director of Literacy Partners. "As the ads themselves will stress, one million New York City adults cannot read above the fifth grade level and lack the basic skills essential for normal life and better paying jobs. Thanks to AGC and the hard work of our budding young professionals, millions of Americans may gain a better understanding of this daunting problem and the important services offered by Literacy Partners." Diane Chavan, Vice President, Education and Training at AGC, said, "The Association of Graphic Communications is proud to partner with Literacy Partners. This contest provides public school students with important work experience - exposing them, at an early age, to the creative process of a real ad campaign, and giving them a chance to work with professionals on an exciting nonprofit project. The contest also offers our industry the opportunity to help mold the next generation of professional graphic artists." The winning design and two runners-up will be announced at the November 4, 2004 Graphic Communications Day conference at Madison Square Garden. To participate as a graphic arts design competition mentor, contact Diane Chavan at [email protected] or (212) 279-2100, ext. 109.