WELLINGTON, Thursday: Clemenger BBDO creative JP Twaalfhoven is one of only five shortlisted throughout the world to be invited to pitch their Side Hustle competition entry live on stage at global creative festival D&AD.
Clemenger BBDO ECD Brigid Alkema says it’s a demonstration of the Clemenger team’s ethos: “We build our team to provoke greatness in everything they put their minds to,” she said. “And JP’s proven it doesn’t stop within our walls.”
Open for the first time this year, D&AD’s Side Hustle competition was open to any professional working fulltime in the creative industries with a – surprise – hustle on the side.
JP will be up on-stage pitching KYT. Short for ‘Keeping You Together’, KYT unites fashion and function by providing a design-led option for the 42 million Type 1 Diabetics throughout the world to carry their life-saving medical equipment discreetly.
The idea stemmed from his partner and co-founder Bridget Scanlan’s own Type 1 diagnosis eight years ago.
“Enter the lightbulb. We’re stoked to be able to fill a need that wasn’t there early on for Bridget.”
“Having been alongside her every step of the way, I’ve seen how life-changing a chronic illness can be,” he said. “I looked for a product like KYT at the time to help make things easier, but no joy.
“Enter the lightbulb. All these years later, we’re stoked to be able to fill a need that wasn’t there early on for Bridget.”
Launching almost a year ago, KYT has sent bags to customers around the globe. Phase two is already under way, with new styles for both men and women set to launch via a Kickstarter campaign later in the year.
The nod at D&AD follows on from KYT pulling a silver pin at last year’s Best Awards.
“My four years at Clems has taught me plenty that’s helped get KYT off the ground,” Twaalfhoven says. “And likewise, diving into KYT has given me tools that are a huge help in the day job, too.”
Pitch day is Wednesday 22 May. It’s PechaKucha style, made up of 20 slides at 20 seconds each, followed by question time with a panel of industry judges in front of an audience of potential business mentors and investors.
Of the opportunity, Brigid says: “JP, the Clems team will be gunning for you back here.”
Share this Post
