Group M and WDA launch Media Masters programme

A six-month training programme, including two attachments within the four media agencies under Group M, will culminate in candidates receiving nationally-recognised Statements of Attainments under the Workforce Skills Qualifications.

Candidates, including graduates from universities and polytechnics, are being selected to participate in the programme; they will be trained under the Singapore Media Academy (SMA), a Continuing Education and Training Centre (CET) supported by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA).

Helming Media Masters is Leela Nair, director of talent and development, Group M Singapore. With over 20 years experience at media agencies, independent media consultancies, as well as media sales, Nair was appointed to spearhead such initiatives.

During candidates’ paid attachments to Group M network agencies MEC , Mindshare, Mediacom and Maxus, at least one third of the course will be dedicated to all aspects of digital media planning and buying. Aside from being taught strong media fundamentals and the essentials of media trading and buying, trainees will have the opportunity to tap into Group M’s extensive network of agencies, clients and leading media owners.

Saying that the media industry stands on the cusp of great change, Toby Hayward, CEO Group M Singapore continued, “The rapid growth in social media and the dizzying rush to mobile computing and interaction offer great opportunities but also great challenges for our business and that of our clients.”

Hayward added that the partnership between Group M, the WDA and its CET centre the SMA would become a catalyst for the industry, providing successful applicants the chance to fast track their careers and become future leaders.

"Our business is crying out for savvy, opinionated people who ‘get’ the business we are in and are fully prepared and confident enough to sell our ideas, work and recommendations to clients, media owners and agency partners. We don't want faceless suits who think we are in a service business and Excel is God. This programme will hopefully create some high maintenance monsters who will challenge us and themselves but help us change for the future,” commented Mark Patterson, CEO Group M Asia-Pacific.

Final candidates will be selected by a panel of GroupM agency heads and subject to stringent competency based selection criteria which includes personality and aptitude testing. There will be four intakes throughout the year.

Information about the application process can be found on the GroupM Careers Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/groupmcareersasia). Closing date for the first intake is end November 2010.