LONDON.- Panasonic announced that James Fox, a visual communication student at Loughborough University, is the winner of its Next Generation Creative Talent competition. From a shortlist of six, his entry was chosen as the best advertisement for Panasonic’s new Viera PZ81 Home Hub television, the next generation of home entertainment.

The Next Generation Talent competition (www.nextgenerationtalent.co.uk) challenged arts, media and creative students in sixth forms and universities across the UK to create a film, storyboard or print ad to promote the unique benefits of the Viera PZ81 Home Hub TV. It was arranged in conjunction with Young Creative Network (YCN, www.ycnonline.co.uk), an organisation that exists to inspire and showcase emerging creative talent in design and visual communication.

A panel of creative and online experts, including bloggers and creative agency professionals, selected the entries for the shortlist (photos and videos of their deliberations are available on request). The final winner was then chosen by a public vote.

John Dixon, head of brand communications at Panasonic, comments: “Our competition was designed to engage and encourage the next generation of creative talent in the UK. We received a multitude of incredible entries – more than we ever anticipated. The votes cast showed that it was really tough to pick a winner. However, James’s video ad demonstrated an exceptional and highly creative grasp of what the Home Hub TV is all about.”

James’s ad will be showcased on www.panasonic.co.uk and may be used to complement a future Panasonic ad campaign. In addition, he wins a 42” Viera plasma TV, HD camcorder, Lumix digital camera and a Surround Sound Blu-Ray home cinema system worth over £2,500. James will also spend a placement week learning from the best at one of Panasonic’s creative agencies.

His university receives £2,500 worth of its choice of Panasonic products, while the three runners-up will receive cameras from the new Panasonic Lumix range.

James Fox adds: “This is fantastic news. Having the chance to be a part of the next Panasonic ad campaign would be an amazing opportunity. It’s the kind of experience one can only dream of as a student. I want to give a massive thank you to my friends and staff at Loughborough University that gave up their time to help me.”