Arnoud Versluis of Breda University of Applied Sciences and Kirstie Riedl of Fachochschule Wiener Neustadt have been elected as Presidents of edcom, the European Institute for Commercial Communications Education, for the 2024-2028 term. Their watchword ‘Touch and be touched,’ emphasizing collaboration across borders and the human dimension in achieving impactful results.
In their candidacy letter, they outlined a strategic focus on key clusters including education, research, industry, network, and alumni. Their vision is to strengthen the interconnectedness within the edcom community, leveraging the extended term to foster innovative ideas in collaboration with the board and members.
Edcom, established in 2007 by EACA (the European Association of Communications Agencies), is dedicated to promoting excellence in commercial communications education and research. It aims to enhance communication and cooperation between the European commercial communication sector and academic partners, facilitate cross-border education and employment opportunities, and advance knowledge of innovative advertising and communication techniques.
Kirstie Riedl commented “Being a part of the edcom network has been such an enriching experience over the past years. Now to be elected to President alongside Arnoud, is a genuine honour. We see our joint presidency as a way to indicate the value of collaboration across borders and view the extended term of four years as a genuine opportunity to work on new ideas with our board and members for the future. We will build on those established clusters of collaboration in education, research and industry and at the same time integrate sustainability into edcom´s vision to ensure that our current actions support the well-being of future communications professionals.”
“Honoured to serve Edcom in a joint Presidency with Kirstie Riedl and to build upon the value edcom offers. The community where learning and sharing knowledge is the way to go. And by making the connection with all members for students with industry in joint projects and pan-European competition to benefit from. Edcom is the symbol of what is possible if we believe in the magic of imagination, connection, and sustainable action. Let’s touch and be touched!” added Arnoud Versluis.
For more information, please contact Francesco Bottegal, Project Officer, at francesco.bottegal@eaca.eu.
Notes to Editors
About Ad Venture Student Competition
Organised by the European Institute for Commercial Communications Education (edcom) and The European Association of Communications Agencies (EACA), Ad Venture is the first Pan-European competition which gives students the opportunity to experience what it is like to work in advertising by creating their own campaign in response to a brief from a real client.
About edcom
edcom is the European Institute for Commercial Communications Education. It strives to promote excellence in commercial communications education and research and to further exchanges between the European commercial communications sector and academic partners. Edcom was founded by EACA together with the founding academic partners in 2007. Find us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
About EACA
The European Association of Communications Agencies (EACA) represents more than 2,500 communications agencies and agency associations from nearly 30 European countries that directly employ more than 120.000 people. EACA members include advertising, media, digital, branding and PR agencies. EACA works closely with EU institutions to ensure freedom to advertise responsibly and creatively. For more information, visit www.eaca.eu. Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook & LinkedIn.