Benefits of Accreditation for Institutes

• Become Part of Local and International Network
  Introduction to local and international network of IAA members. Access to practicing industry professionals via your local IAA Chapter, for networking, best-practice sharing and guest lectures.
• Global Content Hub, Database & Industry Insights Access
  Five nominated faculty members related to Accredited Program will get premium access to IAA’s thought leadership videos, blogs, audio podcasts, presentations, well curated case studies, E-books, members only newsletters, industry insights etc. and database access to over 4000 individual members and 43+ IAA Accredited Institutes and their program coordinators via the IAA website (www.iaaglobal.org)
• Guest Lecturers
  Access to invite classroom speakers from the industry. In countries where IAA chapters are located, members of their executive committee or chapter members can be approached to deliver guest lectures on agreed topics of study.
• Review Curriculum
  IAA Education Council will review curriculum of the program to be accredited and suggest changes if needed.
• Certificate of Recognition
  Provides an IAA Certificate that endorses the accredited program so that the institution/ university could display at their premises or to use it in marketing and promotional materials
• Global and Regional Events
  Special rates for IAA Accredited Course/Program Institute faculty who wish to attend the IAA’s global events. These events are another opportunity to connect not only with other institutes but also to learn and network with industry executives. Some global IAA events include: Bi-annual IAA World Congress, Bi-annual IAA Education Summit in conjunction with the Congress, Global Apprentice Conferences etc.

Benefits of Accreditation for Students.

• Free IAA Student Membership and Access to Global Content Hub
  Students enrolled in the Accredited Program will get complimentary IAA Student Membership which includes premium access to IAA’s thought leadership videos,blogs, audio podcasts, presentations, well curated case studies, E-books etc. via IAA website (www.iaaglobal.org). This membership is renewable each year until graduation via application on https://www.iaaglobal.org/membership
• Personalized IAA Certificate
  Personalized IAA Certificate with unique Hologram ID will be issued for each student upon completion of the accredited program and graduation based on the list of graduates provided by the university. (Subject to request and payment by the university).
• Student Competitions & Apprenticeship Conferences
  Opportunity for students to participate in a real-world international case studies developed in conjunction with a company-client who will provide case materials for the student competition.This will be reintroduced in 2021 with a tool kit with examples for institutes to arrange with companies in their region.

  Students will also get the opportunity to attend apprenticeship conferences organized in their region.

• Student Study/ Market Tours
  If your institute conducts market/study tours the IAA can assist with introductions to agencies in cities/ countries where IAA has a chapter
• Potential Joint Research or Student Group Project Opportunities
  Additional opportunities can be explored between faculty and IAA and member companies for project ideas and student research.
• Global and Regional Events
  Special rates for IAA Accredited Institute students to attend the IAA’s global events. These events are another opportunity to learn and connect not only with other institutes but also with industry executives. Some global IAA events include:Bi-annual IAA World Congress, Bi-annual IAA Education Summit in conjunction with the Congress, Global Apprentice conferences etc.

Sample Certificates

University Accreditation Certificate

Student Certificate

Message from IAA

Education is a foundational pillar of the IAA. Knowledge and learning and creating lifelong learners in marketing communications is at the core of our reason for being. We provide current and relevant content and learnings from across the world to our members, academicians and students. Through the IAA program accreditation, student memberships, content hub, apprentice conference, competitions and global summits, we aim to prepare future leaders in marketing communications across the world. 

John D Chacko
IAA Global Vice President Education

For more information about IAA Accreditation, please contact Marianna Slawon

Annual Certificates Fee:

Annual Fee for Certificates: US$ 1,500 (includes 25 personalized certificates and is mandatory for all accredited institutes) 

For Incremental Certificates from 26 - 50: US$ 30 per certificate

For Incremental Certificates from 51 and above: US$ 20 per certificate

IAA Program Accreditation & Renewal Form

Please complete and submit an IAA Program Accreditation & Renewal Form for the program that your university wants to accredit. A separate form must be completed for each program.

Download IAA Program Accreditation & Renewal Form

For more information about IAA Accreditation, please contact Andrea Ugolini

IAA Leadership Hub

• IAA introduces our state-of-the-art content streaming platform- The IAA Leadership Hub. Through this platform the IAA educates and inspires the Marketing and Communications industry by providing access to best-in-class knowledge, learning and thought leadership.
• The IAA Leadership Hub enables you to stream videos, listen to podcasts, read through our blogs and E-Books and stimulate thoughts with our whitepapers and presentations.
• Free access to the Leadership Hub is available to students from IAA Accredited Institutes and you can request access by clicking here
Explore IAA Leadership Hub

IAA Big Idea (conducted presently by IAA Australia Chapter)

• IAA BIG IDEA was created in 2003 especially for Australia’s marketing/advertising/ media/communications undergraduate students in universities and tertiary institutions as a national marketing communications competition. This challenge offers hundreds of university students around Australia the inspiring opportunity to follow their stars into the marcoms industry by sharpening their communication skills and talents in a real world, hands-on learning experience that is essential career training in the preparation of graduates for the transition from university into professional practice.
• IAA BIG IDEA aims to foster the professional development of the upcoming generation of communications practitioners, which is central to the IAA's ongoing mission and commitment to education in the industry.
• “IAA BIG IDEA provides undergraduate students with lots of scope for developing innovative ideas, critical thinking and creative solutions. IAA BIG IDEA, now in its eighteenth year, is recognized for its contribution to the development of tomorrow's generation of industry leaders and in helping participants gain jobs and internships.” says Heather Leembruggen, Chairman Emeritus, IAA Australia, who has steered IAA BIG IDEA since its inception in 2003.

"The IAA Big Idea competition provided a great experience for our participating students with its hands-on, mini agency experience. Stating they participated in the competition enhanced their portfolios and has got noticed for job opportunities in the industry……. We will continue to encourage our students to participate in this competition, so they can be job-ready with an impactfulexperience as Advertising professionals."

Shara Ranasinghe, Lecturer, Marketing Communication & Media - University of Canberrra, Australia

"Thank you for the wonderful opportunity IAA Big Idea has been. The chance to work with a real client to create this campaign was a truly unforgettable experience and a valuable and inspiring taste of the ad world. My teammates and I are excited about what's to come, made all the more real by the connections and experiences forged by IAA Big Idea. I hope to remember IAA Big Idea as the launchpad to an exciting and successful career in advertising".

Jessica Nord, former student - University of Technology Sydney, Australia

Students are invited to devise a marketing solution for a 'real-life' client, working in agency-style teams to develop a fully integrated communications solution to a 'real-world' business challenge. In response to the client brief, the teams deliver an end-to-end plan from the research stage to the creative concept, right through to the final presentation of their ‘Big Idea’. The winning ‘Big Idea’, as well as all the other 'big Ideas' submitted by the students, are made available to the client with the potential for market implementation.

IAA BIG IDEA real-life clients over the past four years have been Adobe, Nestle, Coca Cola, and ANZ Banking Group who have all acknowledged and praised the high quality of workable ideas and marcoms solutions they have received from the student teams from universities and tertiary institutions Australia-wide.

IAA BIG IDEA is designed to challenge students to:

• Work in agency-style teams
• Produce a marketing solution to a 'real-world' business challenge for a 'real-life' client
• Develop integrated concepts across all mediums, from research and strategy development to creative conceptualization and presentation standard
• Be professionally evaluated by a judging panel of respected industry professionals as well as representatives of the client and the support partner organizations.

“The Big Idea competition has taught me the skills necessary to launch my career in the industry and the confidence to pursue it. The program required grit, tenacity, blood, sweat and tears - but I would do it all again! From project management, presenting, thinking on the spot and leading a team through the gamete of emotions and extreme pressure - I know I'm ready for what the industry has to throw at me from the experience of entering this competition.”

Saskia-Jayne Handley, former student- Charles Sturt University, Australia

“This competition allows our students to apply everything they have learnt over all the years of their degree. The authentic experience our students gain from IAA ‘Big Idea’ certainly helps make them ready to hit the ground running when they graduate at the end of their year. IAA ‘Big Idea’ is a life changing experience and an amazing launch for our graduates into the real world of advertising!”.

Anne Llewellynn, Lecturer in Advertising - Charles Sturt University, Australia

Here are some memories from our past Big Idea Challenges:

IAA Big Idea Winning Team 2018

IAA Big Idea 2019

Students presenting during Big Idea 2019

IAA Big Idea 2019 Trophy and Certificates

IAA Big Idea Winning Team 2019

IAA Big Idea Winning Team 2020

IAA Global Education Summit

The International Advertising Association organizes an IAA World Congress every 2-3 years. The next IAA World Congress is scheduled to be held in Malaysia in 2022/23. The IAA plans to dedicate the last day of the congress to an Education Summit where academicians and students along with global speakers and congress attendees can participate in educational presentations and plenary sessions on current topics in global marketing communications.