TBWA\RAAD teamed up with D&AD to host the second edition of the New Blood Portfolio Review in the Middle East, bringing together emerging creative talent and seasoned industry professionals for an inspiring day of hands-on learning and career-shaping opportunities.
After a sold‑out debut last year, TBWA\RAAD and D&AD reunited yesterday to stage the Middle East’s second New Blood Portfolio Review, turning the agency’s Dubai headquarters into a live classroom where emerging voices sharpened their craft—and their career prospects—in real time.
Recent graduates and early‑career creatives rotated through intensive 1‑on‑1 critiques with TBWA\RAAD’s award‑winning art directors, copywriters, strategists, and digital specialists. Each session delivered tailored, actionable feedback designed to elevate portfolios from “promising” to “pitch‑ready”, giving attendees a rare face‑to‑face advantage in one of the world’s most competitive creative markets.
The reviews were followed by rapid‑fire talks led by TBWA\RAAD “pirates,” drilling into:
- Disruption® Thinking – turning rule‑breaking into brand‑building.
- Strategy as a Creative Superpower – why insight fuels impact.
- Crafting Social That Cuts Through – lessons from scroll‑stopping work.
- Interview & Career Best Practices – landing the job before the job.
Each session fused real‑world case studies with practical next‑steps, arming participants with the mindset and momentum to navigate—and reshape—the industry.
The day closed with certificates, networking, and the announcement everyone waited for: the Best Portfolio Award, granting its winner a coveted internship at TBWA\RAAD—an on‑ramp to real briefs, real clients, and real impact.
