Clemenger BBDO Melbourne and Sydney welcomes latest ‘Exceptions to the Rule’
Clemenger BBDO has today welcomed the latest batch of recruits from its ‘Exceptions to the Rule’ program across its Melbourne and Sydney offices.
The ‘Exceptions to the Rule’ program is Clemenger BBDO’s annual search for diverse talent that may not have come through traditional tertiary or career pathways, providing an opportunity for those that haven’t studied advertising to enter the industry.
This year’s search saw more than 200 applications, with 12 of those being offered placements as ‘Exceptions’. 2019’s recruits include an interior designer, a theatre director, food writer, commerce student, fashion blogger and art history major, among others.
Says Nick Garrett, CEO, Clemenger BBDO: “What is most pleasing to me is to see how well our first two intakes of Exceptions have done in the agency, and we’re incredibly proud of what they achieved. I look forward to seeing this year’s Exceptions kick-start their careers with us.”
23 Comments
But shame their first intro to the industry will be the toxic clems culture.
Haven’t heard anything about toxic Clems culture but you’re sure doing your best to intro them to toxic advertising culture. Jerk
such a brilliant initiative
If the largest and (arguably) most awarded creative agency i offering grad role only to those who haven’t studied marketing or advertising, ad students should be reconsidering their choices. Universities too…
If you were doing this just to be decent, rather than making it a PR stunt, you’d tell nobody and just let them do their thing.
Instead, you want praise for doing what we should be doing.
So you point out that they’re different right from the start?
This sounds like you just want to turn this into a case study and win awards, not generally help people.
Do you hear soup kitchens releasing self-congratulations every morning?
So, you hire the most diverse people you can. Great.
But then you PR it to try make yourself look good? Shite.
A good idea spoiled by praising yourself, hence, showing your true motivations.
Look at us: How do you expect an organisation to try and shift industry change without talking about it? If there’s no example to follow, then where do we go?
Good idea: Screams of someone that didn’t last the pace, or even get through the door in the first place. Yes, I’m afraid Clems deemed someone with no experience of degree more talented than you.
Clems: Well done. Keep it up.
It’s great you like your idea, and I hope you win an award.
But people making a real change don’t tell people about it.
They do.
Why wouldn’t they PR this? It’s a classy move, they should be allowed to tell the industry about it.
I’m assuming you don’t work in advertising?
By your logic, our clients wouldn’t spend any money advertising their businesses, they would just quietly spend all their money developing good products and HOPING people would notice?
Clems is doing something to promote diversity in our industry… which we desperately need. Hopefully inspires other agencies to do something similar.
So, as a client, you’d like to hear that we have people with no qualifications working on your account?
So, let me introduce you to a simple idea.
It’s called ‘Employer Branding’
For some time now, employers have needed to become a preferred ‘brand’ in the minds of job candidates. That’s how you attract the best, and maintain your business’ competitive edge.
It’s relevant to all industries, not just this self-obsessed mirrored chasm we call advertising.
So I say to Clems…”Good one’.
And in case you’re still wondering, intellect, curiosity and creativity are not skills uniquely attained on the more obvious paths into the industry.
Good on Clems for recognising that too.
To those screaming ‘if you really cared you wouldn’t PR it’, well, this is the 3rd year running that Clems have run this and they have uncovered some absolute gems along the way.
Signed, a former Clems employee who despairs of the toxic nature of anonymous trolls on this swamp of a site.
Even if they survive the cliques and toxicity of the place, the long hours and draining atmosphere will stain their souls for at least a few years for sure. Careful what you wish for.
Haters, get a fucking grip. What is the difference between this initiative and doing fucking Award School? NOTHING. You didnt need ad creds to do Award School, you were done in 3 months and after that if you were half decent you went from a fucking turd scooper to an art director or a copywriter. Clients dont give a fuck as long as your ideas are good and theres a CD making sure everything is Dandy. So much unnecessary hate. Its so fucking BORING.
It’s the revamped Clem’s Grad program. You’re all getting your knickers in a twist over committed annual intake of entry level account execs. It’s a good program, despite the min wage.
Just bitter and/or jealous people
Ignore them
and what’s wrong with this industry
In my graduate year, Clems decided to hire a filmmaker, a farmer, a singer and a stand-up comedian. They all lasted less than a year. Couldn’t hack the pace or understand the industry.
I studied advertising. I’m still here.
Don’t overlook the talent that’s just in front of you for a novelty act. It’s blatantly disrespectful.
The industry is dying. Save yourself
You go Clems…Make them work for free, then offer 2 of them a $40K job that’s paid monthly and comes with great office perks like a relaxation room that everybody’s too terrified to use and free MM’s for when you miss dinner as leaving before 7:30pm is against company culture.
It’s paid.