The Clemenger Group is on the hunt for talented young bright sparks to join its 2013 Talent Programme. Applications are now open.

The company is offering 10 spots on the nine-month programme, which begins in February, giving successful candidates the opportunity to work in Clemenger Group agencies in Auckland & Wellington.

Clemenger Group ceo Jim Moser says the programme gives young talent unique insight into the different departments of various agencies, and the “vast communications expertise within the group”.

“Our talent programme exposes intelligent, creative young professionals to the inner workings of brand, retail, direct, experiential, public relations, media and every other communications discipline within one group structure,” he said.

“The future leaders of our industry are going to require sound knowledge of the various functions of marketing communications in order to be successful – and we can provide that foundation for them.”

Colenso BBDO, Clemenger BBDO, .99, Aim Proximity, Porter Novelli and Raydar will all select a graduate from the pool of applications. The successful applicants will then rotate through that agency’s departments over a period of three months to get a taste of the various skills possessed by the agency. Candidates will then be offered a six-month placement and paid an entry-level salary for this period.

“The Clemenger graduate programme is the most enlightening, exciting, and frightening thing that I’ve ever done,” says Eloise Jack, a 2011 graduate now working for Colenso. “It was an invaluable crash course in all things advertising – from writing briefs and giving presentations, to going on shoots and meeting clients.”

Moser says they aim to put graduates in a position where they can be offered a full-time role within the Clemenger Group at the end of the nine-month programme. “We’ve had a remarkable success rate with the programme over the past few years, with 95% of participants being offered a job in one of the group’s agencies after completion,” he said.

“We have always strived to gain and develop an unfair share of exceptional talent in our group and the programme helps us identify and invest in these future industry leaders.”

Applications for the 2013 programme close at 5pm, Friday 31 August. For more information, or to apply, go to: http://www.gradconnection.co.nz/clemenger-group/.