Talent Trailblazer Award entry deadline extended

The entry deadline has been extended for the third annual Talent Trailblazer Award, which celebrates the organisations and individuals opening the industry up to new talent.

Open for entry until 25 June, the free-to-enter award from Marketing Week and the Advertising Association shines a spotlight on companies whose initiatives and projects have helped attract talent to the industry, opening doors for those who might not have considered it an option.

Examples might include, but are not limited to, apprenticeship schemes, school outreach programmes, partnership initiatives and social enterprise schemes.

This year’s judging panel includes Havas UK group chief people officer Ewen MacPherson, sales director at Digital Cinema Media (DCM), Davina Barker, the Advertising Association’s commercial director and inclusion lead, Sharon Lloyd Barnes, global managing director at the Grace Blue Partnership, Sarah Skinner, and Marketing Week editor-in-chief Russell Parsons.

Last year’s winner was John Doe Group’s Unlocked internship programme.

Launched in summer 2023, the agency group’s Unlocked internship programme aims to kickstart opportunities for emerging talent looking to join the UK’s creative industries, based on insight that young people from low-income backgrounds are significantly underrepresented.

‘Boundless opportunity’: How one internship is changing the game for emerging talent

Applications to Unlocked are based on passion rather than experience and prioritise applicants from low-income backgrounds and non-white ethnicities. Interest has already exceeded expectations, with the scheme attracting 100 applicants in 2023 and 313 in 2024. In year one, 100% of applicants were either non-white or came from a low-income background, while 86% of the last cohort met both criteria.

A group of seven partners, including broadcaster STV, the Leith Agency and Scottish brewer C&C Group, joined forces with the John Doe Group to offer eight paid internships in 2023. In year two, the agency started working with 17 partners to deliver 22 internships across Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Highly commended for the 2024 award was WYK Digital for its programme designed to break down barriers to careers in media.

A digital skills social enterprise, WYK Digital prepares diverse talent for marketing careers through free skills training programmes, commissioned by The Prince’s Trust, Greater London Authority and Department for Education. The focus is on supporting young people to realise their career potential, while helping businesses de-risk hiring entry-level talent.

Three other companies were shortlisted for last year’s prize. Vantage Partnerships was recognised for its Vantage Talent inclusion and development programme, The Marketing Academy Foundation was shortlisted for its BeTheOne bootcamp programme and The Cameron Day Charitable Trust for its support of graphic design students studying in the East Midlands.

“It’s essential that we open up the industry to people who might not ordinarily consider marketing as a career, not just to secure a talent pipeline but because there’s a strong business case for attracting talent from diverse backgrounds,” says Marketing Week’s editor-in-chief Russell Parsons.

“This award will celebrate those leading the way and hopefully inspire others in the industry to act.”

Sharon Lloyd Barnes, commercial director of the Advertising Association, adds: “I’m excited to see this year’s submissions for the Talent Trailblazer Award and would really encourage anyone who runs a programme that attracts or advances talent in our industry to enter.

“These awards not only confirm how much great work is being done but offer inspiration for others to incorporate similar fantastic initiatives into their workplaces.”

Click here to enter the Talent Trailblazer Award for free.