McCann Brings 24 of Its Rising Talent to Berlin for 'The Truth Academy'

For the first time since its conception, the McCann Truth Academy is taking place in Germany. 24 of its promising talent from Creative, Strategy, Media Planning and Account Management are converging in Berlin to work on a live integrated brief for one of McCann's major clients with the aim to deliver a complete transformational business and marketing communication solution in less than four days. 

On Friday, a jury of experts and the client will select the winning team. Participants have been selected from agencies in the McCANN Worldgroup and Mediabrands in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA region). The Academy is intended to energise the overall relationship with its talented newcomers from all areas of Worldgroup business to send a clear message that McCann has genuine interest in their future. It is seen as a key retention tool that drives cultural and professional experience.

“Berlin is one of the most exciting and vibrant cities that I know,“ says Barry Richards, HR Director for McCann Worldgroup EMEA and organizer of the Truth Academy. “This dynamic capital is progressive, evolving and cool. This fits perfectly with our rising stars.” Participants travel from London, Paris, Prague, Doha, Madrid, Athens, Bristol, Johannesburg, Milan, Beirut, Istanbul, as well as from Frankfurt and Dusseldorf. They are appointed by their domestic agencies and take part in an internal selection procedure. “The cultural exchange is as inspiring as the content-related one. The Truth Academy unites both. Our people can develop brand new perspectives, step out of their comfort zone and create ideas that are surprisingly different – beyond their traditional ones,“ says Elke Klinkhammer, Chief Creative Officer at McCANN Worldgroup in Germany.

“The advantage of a network agency is its ability to assemble an international team within the shortest timeframe. The Truth Academy is an important tool for talent promotion and management,“ says Cortney Endecott, Director HR and Operations of McCANN Worldgroup in Germany.

The Truth Academy takes place until Friday in the premises of McCANN Berlin, Kulturbrauerei am Prenzlauer Berg, Schönhauser Allee 37. Find out more about the Academy on McCann's Facebook page.