Now in its 16th year, the DDB Group Australia Grad Program helps successful candidates secure full time positions with the agency.
This year’s theme, ‘Big Hit, Little TV’, is inspired by the ongoing need to stand out in a cluttered market, an increasing challenge faced by clients on a daily basis. The group is looking for grads to demonstrate that they have a keen understanding of current media and how to create opportunities for themselves within this landscape.
Chief creative officer DDB Sydney, Toby Talbot said: “DDB Group is in a unique position to not only influence, but shape popular culture through our incredible client roster and sheer media presence in peoples’ lives. With that responsibility comes an obligation, I believe, for us not to be predictable but instead help consumers reappraise and at best fall in love with our brands. Sometimes in only 30 seconds. For me, that’s what ‘Big hit, little TV’ is all about. Not an easy brief. But then we don’t need lots of grads, just the very best. “
Investing in the next generation of industry talent is a key a priority for newly appointed CEO Andrew Little who, along with the entire network, is passionately involved in the Grad program development and candidate selection.
“The Grad program continues to be a huge success with many of our leading talent starting out as Grads, including our former CEO and newly appointed CEO of New York, Chris Brown. It provides an opportunity to get a foothold in an industry that is infamous for its difficultly in gaining experience when starting out. Being provided an opportunity with such a network as DDB is invaluable,” said Little.
Last year there were 150 applicants with seven being offered positions, including Stephanie Cusack, a business coordinator on the Telstra team. Cusack said: “I wanted to work in a creative industry and a grad program was a great opportunity to learn the ropes from some of the sharpest minds in the business.”
“DDB invest a lot of time and effort training their grads and employing them on permanent contracts – the variety of prestigious clients was also a drawcard,” she added.
This year, applicants are required to create 30 sec of amazing content that will make them a big hit on DDB’s online channel, Little TV. For entry, last year’s grad James Pope, a business coordinator on the McDonald’s team has this advice: “When applying and on interview day, grasp what is unusual and extraordinary about you and turn up the volume – make a clearly defined brand for yourself. On the day, it’s like a heightened performance version of yourself, but it has to be grounded in truth and authenticity.”
Entry is open from September 1st and all applications must be received by 5pm September 30th 2014.
