Dentsu Webchutney launches ‘The Ad Fellows’ – a program to groom next-gen ad talent
‘The Ad Fellows’ promises sweeping changes to internships
Dentsu Webchutney, the creatively-led digital agency from the house of Dentsu Aegis Network, is changing its equation with internships in the industry. Starting today, it’s accepting submissions for The Ad Fellows, designed for ambitious entrants in the creative business.
To build a pipeline for the future of advertising, it’s going beyond the traditional offers to officially launch a one-of-a-kind fellowship. Age and experience no bar. Anyone above the age of 18 is open to applying for an exhaustive 2-month program, with a chance to work on live projects at the Bangalore office. One can apply now or browse the syllabus at theadfellows.com. Suited for anyone from students to freelancers and current employees, every application needs to be accompanied by a 2-minute video about the applicant by September 21st on the site. A rigorous selection procedure will determine the first set of Fellows to be a part of the program.
To back its belief that the very nature of marketing services is changing, the agency has developed its own syllabus, necessary to keep talent future-ready. Intensive techniques have been honed by its award-winning talent, and the pedagogy will span the 2-month interdisciplinary program. Selected Fellows invited from any and all backgrounds will follow a syllabus that spans all functions on the agency floor.
Gautam Reghunath, EVP & Executive Sponsor of The Ad Fellows said, “The industry is waking up to the economic reality of grooming its best and brightest from multiple dimensions. It’s about learning on the job with copious responsibility that belies your age. With inclination to work in advertising dampening, Dentsu Webchutney’s track record of adapting to change is a distinguishing reason for our success with our people. Creativity and communications over the next decade is not going to be shaped just by those who went to ad school or those strait-jacketed under traditional advertising job descriptions. Our best applicants have little-to-no inclination to advertising, but they love problem solving. That’s who we are excited to welcome.”
PG Aditiya (ECD), Binaifer Dulani (Creative Group Head) and Ishtaarth Dalmia (Associate Director – Strategy) are the Fellowship mentors for the program. They have issued the following statement for prospective applicants: “The Ad Fellows is unlike any internship or fellowship program you’ve considered. With a chance to learn on the job with an award-winning team you have a shot at making outsized impact with us. Make a claim against the idea that advertising is deadweight by imbibing key craft skills that you can take to the next level, no matter where you are or where you want to go. This is our north star for every prospective Fellow; we can create a new standard together.”
Following up from Pause The Resume, where the agency sought applicants’ browser history instead of a resume, The Ad Fellows is the first such democratic program to hone your craft through advertising. Batch 01 commences on October 14, 2019, and is run out of its Bengaluru office with plans to expand across other branches and the Dentsu Aegis Network.