Over the last six years, the IQ camp in August has become an integral element in the lives of DDB, Nords Porter Novelli and NECom. And in Salacgrīva this year, Jānis Ošlejs, Gatis Šmits and Viesturs Rudzītis did a fine job in expanding our intellectual horizons. And if you’re interesting in the organisation, goals and emotions derived from such an event, we’ll be happy to share our experience!

Paradoxically, the folks who arguably enjoyed the lecture given by economic guru Jānis Ošlejs the most were DDB’s creatives. A number of art directors and copywriters ended up admitting that they’d never have guessed that the world of digits and economics could be so captivating. Most likely, the explanation for this revelation lies in Jānis Ošlejs’ personality and intellect which transformed the subject of Latvia’s crisis bubble into something particularly intriguing which was confirmed by the lively post-lecture discussion that ensued between Jānis and his listeners.

Gatis Šmits’ lecture transported the IQ camp participants into the seemingly well known, but, as it later turned out, completely undiscovered world of cinema. In screening magical moments from cinema history, Gatis devoted his lecture to seeking parallels that unite outstanding cinema with great advertising. And in the process, both Gatis and we discovered yet again that “everything brilliant is also simple”.

There were rumours that the last event, a lecture by Viesturs Rudzītis would be a group psychotherapy session! In reality, it turned out to be a story of addiction and growth in which Rudzītis, skilfully manipulating chairs, introduced the dramatic triangle of victim, oppressor and rescuer. By the end of the session it appeared that all of us had got an answer to at least one question of interest to us.

By way of a change in temperature, we spent the evening chilling our intellectually hot minds dancing to the beats and rhythms laid on by our own DJs, as well as special guest Toms Grēvinš. And the night owls among us greeted sunrise by the sea in a romantic atmosphere accompanied by the guitar and voice of Mārtinš Dambis (aka Martin Confused).

In photos it looked like this.