Graphic designer and entrepreneur Marissa Lewis-Peart is to attend SXSW, the world’s largest tech, digital conference and music festival, after winning an award from Bristol Media.
Marissa, pictured, will join Bristol creative agency professionals for five days at the event in Austin, Texas, next March. 
She will then be mentored by several of the agencies backing the Bristol Media initiative, which is now in its second year. The agencies will support her ideas and create opportunities for her in the region.
The project – known as the Ben Martin Apprentice Award (BMAA) – is supported by Bristol Media, which represents creative firms in the city, advertising industry professionals group the IPA, and Babbasa, the pioneering Bristol organisation that inspires and supports young people to pursue their ambitions through skills training, professional mentoring and work experience.
Marissa was unanimously chosen by the judges from a high-calibre field of entries for her energy, passion, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.
The scheme is supported by Bristol and South West agencies including AgencyUK, Armadillo, Bray Leino CX, Great State, Halo, McCann, Mentor Digital, Mr B & Friends, Ragdoll, saintnicks, Tallt Ventures, Taxi Studio, Tiny Giant, True Digital, Wonderland and Zone.
McCann Bristol managing director and England and Wales IPA chairman, Andy Reid, said: “The IPA is delighted to be supporting this award, which engages with and supports our future industry stars.
“Marissa really shone through in her submission, and this accolade is thoroughly well deserved. It’s great to see so many agencies getting behind this initiative to support her, as she takes her first steps into the creative industry.”
He said with so many agencies on board, organisers were now looking to provide work experience and opportunities for the runner-up candidates as well.
Marissa, a third-year graph design student with a passion for branding and packaging, added: “It’s an honour to have the opportunity of the SXSW apprenticeship. It’s an amazing kick start to my career and I can’t wait to get involved with everything.”
Babbasa advisory board member Urfan Ali said the competition exemplified Babbasa’s mission to improve social mobility outcomes in Bristol and the South West and to support young people from diverse communities with their professional ambitions.
“We are very pleased and excited for what comes next for Marissa and I am sure this will inspire many other young people to consider a career in the creative industry,” he said.
The initiative has been part funded by a crowdfunding campaign with Bristol Media’s 600-strong membership contributing £3,000 towards the costs of the project.
