MUMBAI: As innovative ideas increasingly come from outside traditional agency confines, J. Walter Thompson has launched a new global talent development program called Jump/Start.
The program is aimed at helping young creative thinkers from all backgrounds break into the advertising industry.
The program aims to collapse boundaries by attracting and retaining students and recent graduates who have diverse and multidisciplinary backgrounds. Jump/Start is inclusive of disciplines spanning theater, film, creative writing, technology, product design, innovation and more.
“Across the board, one of the biggest trends we’re seeing in our industry is the convergence of traditional categories. With Jump/Start, we’ve designed a program that supports creative talent from beyond these traditional confines. Growing a diverse talent pool is essential to our ability to deliver better and more innovative ideas to our clients,” said J. Walter Thompson worldwide chief creative officer Matt Eastwood.
Jump/Start is designed to bridge the gap between classroom education and hands-on application. Participants will have the opportunity to work in an active agency setting, while collaborating with teams of experienced and award-winning professionals. They will also have the chance to work on live briefs and enhance their portfolios with real client work. Participating students will receive a monthly stipend for the duration of the three-month internship.
The program will kick off in Beirut, Dubai, Hong Kong, London, Melbourne, New York, S?o Paulo and Sydney. Students, recent graduates and young professionals will be eligible to apply.
“I owe great thanks to the many people and agencies that helped me throughout my career, and especially as a young university graduate. That’s the sort of support we want to replicate for the next generation of great creative minds,” said Eastwood.
The program will be led by J. Walter Thompson worldwide head of creative talent Britt Hayes and by the respective chief creative officers in the participating offices.
Applications will be accepted for three-month rotations, and regional Jump/Start programs began accepting their first groups of participants in Fall 2015.
