​HumanKind: A 24-Hour Ideation Challenge by Publicis Groupe Japan × Japan’s Venture Academy

​Solve a real business challenge from Heineken, collaborate with talented students from across Tokyo, receive mentorship from Publicis Groupe Japan professionals, and pitch your ideas to industry judges for a chance to win prizes worth up to ¥100,000.

​Whether you’re interested in marketing, PR, branding, strategy, design, technology, or entrepreneurship, HumanKind is your opportunity to experience what it’s like to solve creative challenges inside a global agency environment.

​Our Manifesto

​All creative ideas come from our ability to ponder and imagine.

​Amidst AI’s expanding ability to produce,
we, humans are still the drivers of creation.
Thus, our thinking has become more integral than ever.

​Aligned with this,

​Publicis Groupe Japan presents to you a new initiative:
“HUMANKIND”

​Where we provide space to imagine by people, for people,
and bring to life ideas that could move hearts.

​We look forward to seeding human creativity further.

​What to Expect

• ​Solve a real Heineken business brief

• ​Collaborate with ambitious students from across Tokyo

• ​Receive mentorship and feedback from Publicis Groupe Japan professionals

• ​Gain an inside look into agency life and how campaigns are developed

• ​Network with creatives, strategists, HR teams, and agency leaders

• ​Explore potential career and internship opportunities in advertising, PR, branding, and marketing

• ​Pitch your ideas to industry judges and compete for prizes worth up to ¥100,000

​Event Details

​📅 Dates: September 11–12 (from 4:30 PM on September 11)
📍 Location: Publicis Groupe Japan, Tokyo
🗣️ Language: English
👥 Capacity: Limited spots available. Application will close when all spots have been filled so apply early!
🔞 Age Requirement: Participants must be students who are 20 years or older

​Event Schedule

​Day 1 — September 11

​16:30-17:00 — Check-in & Opening
Get checked in, complete ID verification and get settled in.

​17:00-17:30 — Opening Ceremony & Welcome
Meet the JVA and Publicis Groupe Japan teams and get introduced to HUMANKIND.

​18:00 — Networking & Food
Connect with Publicis Groupe Japan professionals and fellow participants over food and drinks, including Heineken 0.0.

​19:00 — Heineken Client Brief Presentation
Dive into the real business challenge and ask questions directly to the brief presenters.

​19:30 — Speed Dating & Team Formation
Meet fellow participants, exchange ideas, and find your team through a JVA-facilitated team formation activity.

​20:30 — Free Time & Informal Networking
Get to know your teammates and continue networking before the ideation begins.

​22:00 — Venue Closes

​The venue will close overnight and reopen the following morning. Participants are free to make their own arrangements during this period.

​Day 2 — September 12

​08:30 — Doors Open, Check-in & Breakfast [Optional]

​09:00 — PGJ Professional Q&A + Pilates Session
Start the day with an informal Q&A with Publicis Groupe Japan professionals, alongside an optional Pilates session.

​10:00 — Ideation & Project Development — Session 1
Work with your team to develop your solution and bring your ideas to life.

​12:00 — Lunch

​13:00 — Ideation & Project Development — Session 2
Continue developing your concept, with Publicis Groupe Japan professionals available to provide mentorship and feedback.

​15:45 — Judge Introduction & Room Assignments

​16:00 — Preliminary Judging Round
Pitch your idea to the judges and receive feedback. The strongest teams will advance to the final round.

​17:00 — Judges’ Deliberation & Finalist Announcement

​17:30 — Finalist Refinement
Finalist teams will have time to incorporate feedback and refine their pitches.

​18:00 — Final Presentations
Finalist teams pitch their ideas to the final judging panel.

​19:15 — Awards & Closing Ceremony
Celebrate the teams, announce the winners, and learn more about potential career and internship opportunities at Publicis Groupe Japan.

​20:00 — Event Ends

​Please note that the schedule may be subject to minor changes.

​If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to build ideas that move people, this is your chance to step inside the room where it happens.