FUTURE TALENTED Spring Term 2019 - Issue 2 | Page 32

Gatsby Benchmarks
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Selecting
route
hy would you recommend your sector as
somewhere to forge a career?
The media and advertising sector is truly like no other. It’s
exciting, constantly developing and you’re always being
challenged. The beauty of this industry is that there is so much within
it; whether you’re interested in media buying, content creation, social
media, technology or other elements, there’s something for everyone.
It suits those who want to be stimulated, creatively challenged and
who are eager to make a real difference.
What are the routes into
early careers at MediaCom?
32 // ROUTES INTO WORK
creative
“we need
both
digital
skills
and
creative
minds”
We were the first media agency to
set up an apprentice scheme. Our
programme looks for individuals
with a genuine passion for the
creative industry and fits with our
people-first philosophy to grow our
talent, not just as media practitioners,
but in a personal capacity as well.
With the scheme now in its seventh
year, 85 apprentices have worked
for the company.
We don’t really have a graduate
programme, we call it the ‘executive
scheme’  and it’s for anyone outside
of a school leaver. It’s all about
breadth; we don’t just want the same
people from the same generation
coming up with the same ideas;
we want different thinkers, those
with a different past and those with
different experiences.
We need to ensure that we offer
the same opportunities to someone
leaving university with a first degree,
as to a person who left school after
GCSEs but worked for five years
building up the relevant experience.
th
W
ur
Named top employer
in media and the arts in
2017, MediaCom is the
UK’s biggest media
agency. Its CEO, Josh
Krichefski, provides
insights on routes into
media jobs.
What sort of skills are
MediaCom looking for?
From TV to social media and digital
out-of-home advertising, we need
both digital specialists and creative
minds to work together to deliver truly
great work for our clients.
As digital advertising continues to
grow and brand campaigns span an
increasing number of devices and
platforms, it’s essential we have the
people to match this. The combination,
therefore, of digital experts and
creatives who can work in tandem to
drive innovation and push boundaries
is what will keep us relevant.
How can schools help
students gain the right skills?
Grades are not as important as you
think, it’s more about the person
themselves. We do not look for a
shining CV – instead, we aspire to find
creative and honest people who let
their personalities shine. For entry-level
roles, it doesn’t matter whether you
went to school, university, left after
GCSEs, come from a ethnic minority
background, have a disability or have
never worked in an agency.
What advice would you give
your 16 year-old self?
Always be curious, enjoy learning and
relish telling and sharing stories. As a
leader, and as a human being, you
never stop learning. The key is to be
open to that and willing to adapt.