McCann Central partners with The BRIT School to support young talent

The partnership marks the first time the renowned school has partnered with a creative agency for one of its courses and will see McCann engage with Interactive Digital Design students, working with them to provide live briefs, masterclasses, and mentoring opportunities.

Ollie Purdom, Chief Talent Officer at McCann Central said: “Getting young people from all backgrounds to consider a career in advertising and giving them the tools to do that, is one of the most important things we can be doing right now to ensure the future success of our industry.

“Like many agencies, we’ve made broadening and diversifying our talent pool a priority, and this partnership with The BRIT School is just one of the many ways we’re doing just that. The creative energy and passion of its students are inspirational, and we couldn’t be happier to be working with them to develop their skills and hopefully a passion for our industry at the same time.

Hannah Mathews, Assistant Director of Interactive Digital Design at The BRIT School, commented: “We’re firm believers that creativity is the future, and young people from all backgrounds should be able to develop their talent and make a powerful contribution to society. After 30 years and 10,000 students, The BRIT School is still changing lives for children by providing free education in Performing and Creative Arts.

“Our Interactive Digital Design course has been running for almost 10 years after we identified the desire and need from both young people and the industry to specialise as digital creatives. This is the first time we’ve partnered with an agency for one of our courses, and our students couldn’t learn from better than an industry heavyweight like McCann.”

As part of the partnership, McCann will provide students with the opportunity to contribute to live briefs and participate in masterclasses led by visiting creatives, in addition to apprenticeships and work experience opportunities at their offices. It will also sponsor the Interactive Digital Design end-of-year show held at the school.

Ollie Purdom concluded: “For several years we’ve worked closely with schools, colleges and universities to educate young people on careers in advertising as well as support them as they take their first step on the career ladder. We’re delighted to have welcomed many of these as permanent employees and we hope that in a few years’ time we’ll be able to do the same for some of the talented BRIT School alumni.”

This partnership supports McCann Central’s wider commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion through its hiring, which recently included the appointment of 25 interns to its Kickstart programme, as well as a successful apprenticeship programme across its offices.