• by Larissa Faw , August 12, 2020

M&C Saatchi UK is releasing enrollment figures for its new free eight-week virtual training program, Open House. Leaders originally assumed between 50-100 participants would sign up, but are pleasantly surprised more than 1,300 people have registered, “surpassing all expectations,” says Camilla Kemp, CEO, M&C Saatchi UK.

Since launching the initiative on the July 29th, agency leaders have been “inundated” with applications from a diverse group of people from all over the world. These applicants represent a range of ethnicities and a variety of levels of previous work experience, and have multi-faceted reasons for applying.

The agency created a campaign to draw interest in the inaugural program. The media strategy targeted specific audiences including people returning to work after a career break, those that have lost their jobs due to COVID-19, students looking for their first job, as well as individuals looking for more flexible working conditions.

The campaign is running across social channels using the hashtag #opentowork, as well as on recruitment sites and online platforms reaching a broad and diverse audience, with a focus on groups who are currently underrepresented in advertising.

Open House kicks off September 2 with each weekly virtual seminar hosted by a different M&C Saatchi expert, including CEO Camilla Kemp and Chief Creative Officer Ben Golik. Their lessons will include “How to interpret and write a creative brief” and “How to craft amazing ideas that transform brands.”

Each student will receive a certificate of participation as well as be shortlisted for a future role at the agency.