What you need to know:

• Dentsu Media ANZ has launched Dentsu Basecamp, the company’s first early careers programme to build a pipeline from universities and high schools to Executive roles within its media businesses.
• “The war on talent is real,” Sue Squillace, Dentsu Media ANZ CEO, says, and this will train young talent up quickly and get them into the workforce.
• Applications are open, with plans to send offers out before Christmas ahead of a February start.

Dentsu Media ANZ has created a new programme to develop and train University grads and students leaving high school who want to get into media, in a bid to put set up longer term initiatives to attract new talent amid an industry-wide shortage.

Named Dentsu Basecamp, the six month programme involves four intensive stints in Strategy, Digital, Tech and Data, and Trading, with the end result a permanent Executive role at one of Dentsu’s media brands: Carat, iProspect, Dentsu X or The Story Lab.

“The war on talent is real. We need to act now to attract more diverse, motivated, and curious people to our business to build our talent pipeline for the future. This isn’t just an important issue for us as a business; it’s vital to the future of our industry,” Sue Squillace, CEO of Dentsu Media ANZ, said.

A group of leaders within Dentsu has been set aside to build the program. All of those that sign up will have a senior mentor and a coach to guide them. It’s Dentsu Media’s first early careers programme.

“Our graduates will not be defined by the qualification they hold, or education level they attain, but rather by their curiosity and a growth mindset,” Laura Small, MD of Carat Sydney, said.

Applications have now opened for Basecamp, with pre-screening until early December, assessment in mid-December, and offers sent out before Christmas.

The programme begins in February next year.