🧑🎓 For students, by students
🇯🇵 in Tokyo, sponsored by Shibuya
PGJxJVA: HUMANKIND
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.
19:00 — 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.
🧑🎓 For students, by students
🇯🇵 in Tokyo, sponsored by Shibuya