The Independent Media Agencies of Australia (IMAA), the national industry body representing independent media agencies, has taken home four trophies at the prestigious 2024 LearnX global education awards, held in Melbourne this week.
The IMAA’s landmark education initiative, the IMAA Academy, built by the industry, for the industry, has taken home four awards including:
- Platinum for Best eLearning Project – eLearning project
- Platinum for Best eLearning Project – widespread eLearning implementation
- Diamond for Best Learning Model – Best Learning (Industry Specific)
- Diamond for Best Learning Model – Online Learning
The annual LearnX Awards are held globally, celebrating learning and talent development projects across corporate, education, public and not-for-profit sectors. Now in its 16th year, the awards have recognised more than 2,500 projects from more than 30 countries worldwide, including hundreds of Australian education initiatives.
The IMAA’s industry-first online training academy has been awarded for its vision to drive and support talent development nationwide. The 2024 LearnX Award winners were announced at a gala award ceremony at Melbourne’s Crown on November 26 where the IMAA stood alongside many of Australia’s best-known brands including Westpac, Kmart, Optus, Bupa and many leading universities.
The IMAA Academy, which launched in March last year, is the organisation’s most significant education initiative – a landmark, comprehensive learning platform built by the independent media agency sector to lead industry education. The comprehensive learning program was developed in partnership with Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA), the Outdoor Media Association (OMA), Boomtown, ThinkTV, ThinkNewsBrands, and Val Morgan as well as the IMAA’s media partners and agency members.
Created to help address the national skills crisis, the IMAA Academy aims to future-proof the indie media agency industry, upskilling staff and helping to attract talent to the sector.
The all-inclusive training program includes eight e-learning modules, covering media, audio, digital, cinema, TV, out-of-home, regional, and publishing and news, along with videos, digital glossaries, and podcasts featuring industry leaders and channel experts. Each module is IMAA certified, with participants receiving a course badge once they successfully complete each channel.
Since launching, the IMAA Academy has trained hundreds of independent media professionals, while also offering in-person networking and training opportunities, coinciding with some of the module’s official releases.
The association also recently announced an innovative partnership with SBS for a new training module, focused on core inclusion skills, gender equity, cultural diversity, disability, First Nations, LGBTQI+, generational diversity and appropriate workplace behaviour.
“Taking home four LearnX Awards is important recognition on the global stage of our investment in the Academy. This program took more than two years to create, in consultation with more than 70 media experts and over 1,000 years of combined industry experience, to bring to fruition. These award wins are another example of how the IMAA is leading the way in Australia’s media industry, helping to invest in the future of the sector, and I’d like to thank all our experts, partners and members for contributing to what is now an award-winning initiative and a great legacy for our industry,” said IMAA CEO, Sam Buchanan.
“This training program sets the benchmark for standardised learning in our industry and for students. There have been many people behind the scenes whose dedication has made this program possible including the IMAA team, the late Alex Pekish, Anthony Douglas, our learning management system partner Learnt, eLearning partner Big Consulting, as well as the invaluable support of industry bodies, members, and our partners.
“Since launching the IMAA Academy, we have trained hundreds of indie agency professionals, adding much-needed skill sets to our members and the broader media sector. These awards are one of the most prized accolades for learning, talent and skill development – we’re incredibly proud of this important recognition.”
