WELLINGTON, Today: The Commercial Communications Council has launched a Wellington extension of First Five Rungs (FFR) support group for millennials – and announced its first event (titled Your First Five Years).
This runs in the Capital on Thursday 4 April, from 5:30pm-8:15pm, at Biz Dojo, 3 Market Lane, Te Aro. The event aims to disrupt the notion that the first five years of one’s career are just a holding period until they’re of value to their agency.
Wellington-based industry experts Jodi Willocks (GM at HeyDay Digital) and Erik Hay (creative strategy director at Weta Workshop) will speak to highlight the importance of the first five years in young people’s careers.
Both Willocks and Hay will share presentations on developing skillsets, being introduced to new challenges, building a network and how intelligent naivety can help bring a fresh, unique perspective to work.
Willocks and Hay will talk to their own experiences, followed by a brief Q&A.
FFR in the Capital chair, Emilie Watts said, “This event aims to talk to young people in media and communications in an authentic and relatable way. We really want to help industry-newbies feel supported and heard, to inspire their own confidence in themselves.”
This is the second First Five Rungs arm in New Zealand, with the original arm based in Auckland over the past five years. They introduced their Newbies Packs in 2016, and have hosted several successful industry events (recently launching the Yarns with … content series).
“Willocks and Hay will talk to their own experiences, followed by a brief Q&A.”
FFR Auckland chair Harriette Hanson says, “It’s fantastic to see Wellington launch and really get running with this event. We’re excited to be able to widen our support network, extending into the Capital.”
The First Five Rungs in the Capital team are: Emilie Watts (chair), Robbie Allen (deputy chair), Charlotta Cutfield (secretary), and Marianne Arugay, Jess Adams, Georgia Wass, Laura D’Amore, Claudine Gregg, Sarah Chin, Ellen Chote, Charlotte Greally, and Kendyl Elliot.
The Comms Council Young Leadership Group was formed in 2012 and has since developed into a team who run First Five Rungs. With Comms Council industry development director Marlen Smith at the helm, the First Five Rungs teams identified an essential need; that new talent needs to be supported to futureproof our industry.
Your First Five Years Event Speakers are …
- Jodi Willocks, GM at HeyDay Digital: Willcocks is responsible for the strategic direction and key client relationships at Heyday Digital. She is a strategic thinker and a connector, with a keen interest in future trends and the changing shape of communications. She has an extensive background within the media & creative industry and is keen to share her insights, thoughts & learnings on how she’s navigated her way through her first five years that’s lead to her admired reputation and becoming the well-known face she is now.
- Erik Hay, creative strategy director at Weta Workshop. Hay has an extensive range of experience, with a combined 18 years across roles as creative leader, copywriter, art director and communications director in the advertising, digital and film industries. Highly versatile and often awarded, he will be sharing stories and insights from his own first five years that set him up for the many successes and varied roles that have followed.
Event Information
First Five Rungs in the Capital Event: Your First Five Years
When: 5:30pm-8:15pm, Thursday, April 4, 2019
Where: Biz Dojo, 3 Market Lane, Te Aro, Wellington
Tickets/Entry: For Comms Council member agencies only, please RSVP to Moira@commscouncil.nz
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