Blacklist Creative Believes in Nurturing Next Gen Talent by Practising What It Preaches

Above: Blacklist's London team

What will the future of the industry and creativity in general look like? That’s too big of a question for anyone to answer but there is one thing we know: it’s all in the hands of the next generation of creatives. Not ones to bemoan the industry’s impending (or current, depending on who you ask) ‘talent drain’, the enterprising folks over at Blacklist Creative - full service creative agency - are taking matters into their own hands. 

Since the company’s very start, its founders wanted to help develop and nurture the next generation of creatives. Today, that looks like several internship schemes carefully developed to give anyone joining Blacklist valuable experience, with a heavy dash of fun too. 

Dom Ho, the co-founder and joint MD, leads on Blacklist’s internship programmes. “We currently work with the global talent organisation, The Intern Group, that hand-picks suitable students from all over the world to intern with Blacklist Creative London. We interview them and then create an eight to 12 week programme around their skillset and what they want to achieve from the course. This year we have just started a programme with Bournemouth University's media courses offering students a year long 'sandwich' internship during their degree course or an eight week more intensive summer internship.”

Over in Blacklist’s Amsterdam office, more internships are on offer. Dom explains: “In the Netherlands we have been accredited by the Samenwerkingsorganisatie Beroepsonderwijs Bedrijfsleven (SBB), a Dutch-based organisation, orchestrated by the ministry of education that matches businesses with schools, colleges and universities so that students can receive the best possible practical training in the workplace. It’s fully paid and with prospects of future employment. In the Netherlands more than 40% of the working population has a SBB diploma and SBB is rightly known as the driving force of Dutch society.”

Below, LBB speaks to George Coley, lead creative; Kaysha-Marcell Powlette, junior production coordinator; Mónica Cruz, production assistant; and Thomas Courtney, media runner. We find out how they got their start in the industry, how they landed a role at Blacklist Creative London, and how the company is helping at every step of the way to reach their next career goal. 

LBB> How did you get your start in the industry? Have you had any roles prior to the one you’re in now?

George> I got my start as a Creative Intern at The Walt Disney Company. Over 12 months I was given the opportunity to develop my creative skills and begin to build a professional network - the combination of these two things was instrumental in launching my career.

Kaysha> When I was young I had a deep interest in the arts, and once I was able I would accompany my aunt who was an executive producer on shoots. As I got older I began applying to companies for work experience during the summer throughout my college years. Once I received a first in my degree in film production and theatre from Brunel University, I began applying for jobs, and after multiple interviews I was hired by Knucklehead as a production assistant and office coordinator, which taught me a lot about the industry as well as planning and managing shoots. I was very fortunate to begin my career there.

Thomas> After achieving a first in my television degree at Falmouth University in June 2022, I was lucky enough to be offered the role of media runner here at BLC as my first industry job, joining the company in September 2022. 

Monica> At Bournemouth University I studied media production for four years, which involved a placement year. In my placement year, I gained experience in Fireshine Games as a marketing and sales intern - here I developed my skills in many areas, which further reinforced me to apply myself down a production route. I was lucky enough to find a production role at Blacklist Creative a few months before graduation. 

LBB> What appealed to you about working at Blacklist Creative?

George> Variety was a huge factor, in terms of the clients and the nature of the work. In contrast to an in-house role, an agency like Blacklist can offer the chance to work with multiple brands, which helps to diversify your portfolio. Also, when I joined, Blacklist was a small company. The chance to be a big fish in a small pond is really empowering, especially so early in one's career. Blacklist is much bigger now, but not so big that it has lost that small pond mentality. The opportunity for an employee from anywhere in the company to have a meaningful impact is still very much alive.

Thomas> I was really drawn to the diversity and flexibility of agency work. There aren’t many other roles that could offer such a range of projects and opportunities. Blacklist Creative especially stood out to me as the perfect opportunity for growth as I could see that the business was expanding and working on bigger and more exciting projects. As well as having some of the most welcoming, supportive people I’ve met in the industry.

Kaysha> I was initially interested by the size of the company, it being smaller meant that I would have room to grow and develop my skills, however I believe that feeling was secured after my face to face interview with my now bosses, they were very engaged and kind. I was lucky enough to observe their team briefly and saw how bright, fun and hard working they were.

Monica> The high-profile clients and previous award-winning work were appealing as I knew I could learn a lot from the team at Blacklist Creative. Once I met the in-house team I knew this was somewhere I wanted to work, the diversity and positive energy were extremely present.

Above: Blacklist's Amsterdam team

LBB> Tell us about your role at Blacklist Creative and what your day to day looks like.

George> I am one of the creative leads. We are the senior members of the creative team, working closely with the creative director. Our job is to oversee the entire creative process on any given project, from conceptualisation, through execution and delivery. Occasionally that means 'getting our hands dirty' as they say, whereas other projects might require a more managerial touch - providing the creative steer to a team of editors, animators, graphic designers etc.

Personally, I work mostly with Blacklist's gaming clients. Videogames is one of Blacklist's key verticals, and a rapidly growing area of the business. In my day-to-day, I do a myriad of creative things; from scriptwriting to storyboarding, to directing animation and capturing gameplay. However, a very important part of the creative lead role, whether it's for gaming, TV and streamers, or out-of-home, is generating concepts and pitching them to the client. Almost every job begins with a pitch, so possibly the most important part of the creative lead role is the ability to answer the clients brief with a compelling idea and communicate that idea effectively.

Kaysha> As junior production coordinator, my day varies from day to day depending on the wider requirements of the production team. However, I manage one of our clients, Narrative, which entails creating promos & Idents for broadcasting, I work closely with our lead creative, Gary, and junior editor, Laure. Once briefed Laure and I work on the script, brainstorming and writing several drafts until it fits the criteria, I then hand over the script to Laure to create the edit, which we’ll review until we’re both happy. In some cases we work with the graphic design teams to make bespoke graphics for the promo as well.

Thomas> As a media runner, I operate as a general office assistant. I work closely with my manager Dom Ho, one of the co-founders, to help him with the office operations, including maintenance and general upkeep. I also get the opportunity to dabble in both the production and creative departments, helping with various tasks. My day-to-day varies a lot depending on the current needs of each department, I’m not assigned to any specific projects so I tend to just assist when and how I’m needed. I do also get the opportunity to attend the occasional shoot and be a runner on set which is really exciting.

Monica> As a production assistant, I work alongside the creatives and the production team. My job is to help with any tasks or projects that I’ve been assigned to. My day-to-day is always different, usually, it involves briefing, organising, reporting, monitoring, delivering, and communicating with either the client or my manager - Alicia. I believe this is a role that would require strong organisational and communication skills, which I feel that I’m continuing to develop in my time here at Blacklist Creative.

LBB> Of all the things you’ve worked on, what have you enjoyed most and why?

George> There have been a tonne of projects at Blacklist that were a genuine blast, but one that comes to mind is the full CG trailer we created for Paradox Interactive to celebrate the sixth anniversary of their epic sci-fi game 'Stellaris'. For this project, we had just five weeks to build the entire thing from scratch. It was an intense process and we worked right down the wire, but the client was really happy with the final result and so were we. When the trailer went live on the game's sixth birthday, the response was incredibly positive, which was so rewarding for everyone on the team.

Kaysha> I enjoy the variation of my work, I don’t have a particular favourite project I’ve worked on, however, my most notable has been a small edit for a premium automotive client, it was an internal compilation they needed for an event.

Thomas> I honestly enjoy all aspects of my job, being able to work in each department and get a taste of how each operates is really enjoyable for me. However, I do love being able to go out on shoots, spend time with the crew and assist with filming. The Blacklist team are all such amazing people so any opportunity to work closely with them, especially in such an intense setting as being on set, is a joyful experience for me.

Monica> My first client at Blacklist Creative was Sky Showtime. I was asked to assist with SkyShowtimes cohort videos -  this project involved getting edits across for approval, going back and forth to the editors with the client's feedback, and developing briefings. I enjoyed the stressful aspect of being thrown into the deep as I felt that my manager trusted my capabilities from the get-go and was able to support me with any questions I had along the way, it's great to have a team around you that believes in you and it was essential to build relationships with the freelancers as I learned how to manage and communicate with different departments. 

LBB> How is Blacklist supporting your career development?

George> Blacklist has always been invested in my personal growth as a creative. In 2022, they donated a significant amount towards the costs of a short film that I wrote and directed. Without their support, I simply would not have been able to make the film the way I had envisioned it. Today, that film is making its way through the festival circuit, already receiving numerous selections, nominations and even some awards. As a creative, this is a really powerful boost for my career, made possible by Blacklist.

Kaysha> I am in the lucky position of being able to work on multiple projects as, and when I am needed, this gives me the unique opportunity to learn many different skills, from helping with brainstorming to editing/creating decks to organising office events.

Thomas> Blacklist has been incredibly supportive in helping me to decipher how I want my career to advance. I came into the company unsure of which pathway I would like to pursue as I’m interested in both the production and creative sides of the industry. Blacklist has allowed me to explore all these avenues, build my skills, and get a taste of what each offers. I’ve gained a great overview and understanding of the industry while being in this role. I have frequent check-ins with my manager about how they can help me progress and guide me as I continue on my career journey. My manager has been my greatest advocate and is always encouraging me to grow and learn as I figure out how I would like my career to progress.

Monica> I feel that I’m continuing to develop my problem-solving skills and have attained a better can-do attitude, which will help me greatly down the road. Alicia has encouraged me to be more vocal with any issues I have and I feel lucky to have a manager that is patient and able to teach me based on my learning style. Alongside this, I can figure out what I like most within production as I’m able to assist in different areas, a recent one being OOH. 

LBB> What are your plans for the future - where would you like to be in five years time?

George> My passion lies in video games and technology - this is where I want to continue to tell stories and develop creative ways to innovate within that space. I am excited by 'the cutting edge', which is exactly where the videogame industry resides. I would consider it a great success if in five years time I was working in a creative leadership capacity on the world's biggest video game IPs, leveraging the most exciting forms of emerging technology to offer storytelling experiences unlike anything that has been seen before.

Kaysha> I’m still not sure what path I would like to go down for the long term of my career, however, I’d like to either be part of a creative team or a producer position in the next five years.

Thomas> In five years' time, I see myself in a management position. I enjoy working in a team and I would be really excited to lead my own team and guide them the same way my manager has helped me. I’m still unsure exactly which department I would like this to be in but I know that Blacklist will support me no matter which direction I choose. 

Monica> Within the next two years, I would like to work towards becoming qualified for a production coordinator role, and in the next five years, I see myself in project management or perhaps producing. 

How to apply?