• by Joe Mandese  @mp_joemandese, April 4, 2022

In what it describes as an industry-first partnership, IPG Mediabrands this morning announced an initiative with HBCU 20x20 to create a new pathway to Madison Avenue for students and alumni of historically Black colleges and universities.

HBCU 20x20, which is a job network promoting networking and placement opportunities for students and graduates of the colleges and universities, will kick off the partnership with a “Media Immersion Day” on April 20 to introduce prospective talent to the agency media business vis a vis a series of professional development workshops and networking opportunities. 

The program follows a series of Mediabrands moves to accelerate diversity representation and recruitment in the ad industry, including its role in developing a new full-ride scholarship fund from the six agency holding companies for a new media track with City College of New York’s BIC (Branding + Integrated Communications) graduate degree program.

“As someone who wasn’t even aware of career opportunities in the agency world until I came across the single agency that recruited on campus, I know how important it is to be in the places where the talent we want to attract is,” stated Hermon Ghermay, Global Chief Culture Officer at Mediabrands. “Through our multi-faceted partnership with HBCU 20x20, we are excited to be able to provide access to opportunities across our global network to 25,000 talented Black students and alumni who will be critical contributors to how we want to grow our company.”

In addition to providing talent teams across the Mediabrands network of agencies, including global brands UM and Initiative, streamlined access to HBCU students and graduates, HBCU 20x20 offered flexible and creative ways for Mediabrands to deliver consistent messaging to the schools and customize marketing and recruiting content, beyond providing basic intelligence about the company.