With a month left until the application period for The Kennedys — our in-agency creative accelerator — comes to a close, we’re continuing to profile one former Kennedy a week on Optimism. This week, we’re featuring an interview our Kennedy cohorts at W+K Amsterdam held with Andrew Duncan, now a copywriter at their office.

Read on to learn more about Andy’s transition from student of W+K’s “creative chaos” to full-time employee below, and don’t forget to submit your own application via http://thekennedys.nl/.

The transition from hard-working Kennedy to one of Wieden+Kennedy Amsterdam’s most beloved copywriters (and jokesters) was a smooth one for Andrew Duncan. Learn about how it happened for him in the interview below.

1. What were your impressions after a week here in the program?

Andy: The annual Founders Day party obliterated my fragile memory of those early days, but from what I can remember my impressions were something like this: This place is mega.

2. What was your favourite piece of work you produced here?

Andy: We did a lot of work for Spotify to help dream up their festival at South by Southwest. And they bought into all kinds of wonderful ideas that I’m probably not allowed to share. But if all goes to plan you can check them at SxSW.

3. What was the most memorable thing that you guys did in The Kennedys house?

Andy: That would be the living room VELODROME. This involved eight highly trained volunteers on bicycles orbiting a man in an impeccable red suit pirouetting on roller skates in our spacious living room. That man was me seconds before I turned 27.

4. What was the most surprising thing you learned about yourself while working as a Kennedy?

Andy: One of the best things about the Kennedys was getting dropped right in the deep end, presenting to some big ol’ clients. It was one hell of a learning experience. It’s still scary but I’ve learnt that I also get a real kick out of it.

5. What are you working on now?

Andy: Bubbles. I’m mostly thinking about bubbles. For Milka Bubbles.

What’s on your bucket list? Answer this and other creatively stimulating questions when you apply to The Kennedys!

Valentine’s Day is looming, and yet again the internet is full to the brim with clichéd romantic imagery — basically anything red and heart-shaped. Rather predictably, the most searched for Valentine's gift ideas include lingerie, flowers and diamond rings.*

Chambord says Bof to that.

Chambord is a French raspberry liqueur in a brilliantly over-the-top gold bottle. And in true French style, Chambord's essence is about doing what you like, not what’s expected.

This is precisely why Chambord and Wieden+Kennedy have turned Valentine's clichés on their head with a series of shorts. From a diamond-munching ring box to a dozen red bowling balls, you'll find the animations disrupting social feeds filled with typical Valentine’s gift ideas, encouraging people to do what they like instead. #BecauseNoReason**

Says our very own Anna-Claire Clendon, Digital and Interactive Strategist: "As women we are exposed to an enormous amount of pressure to prepare for the perfect Valentine's Day. It's all rather prescriptive: what to wear, what to bake, how to apply the perfectly winged eyeliner. Chambord is one of the only brands calling on women to care a little less and, if they want to, embrace the frivolity of Valentine's Day."

Now that's an attitude we can certainly get behind. Watch the animations below for the full Chambord Valentine's experience.

*Bing Search Insights

**These animations follow last year's bizarrely wonderful #BecauseNoReason campaign launch.

Why do gifts from the heart have to be heart shaped? The parallelogram is just as loving. #ValentinesGifts #GiftCliches #ChambordRoyaleInstead

Not all lovebirds love the rose. Some lovebirds prefer the bowling ball. What makes your heart go boom, boom, boom? #ValentinesGift

 
The gift that makes the heart flip flop is not always the shiniest. Sometimes it’s the tastiest. #Valentines #ValentinesGift #BecauseNoReason