The Creative Circle Foundation Opens Free Advertising School for 2018

Today, The Creative Circle announces the official launch of The Creative Circle Foundation. As the longest running advertising awards body in the UK, it aims to support greater diversity in Britain’s creative departments of the future. 

The Foundation is a free full-time school to help people from diverse backgrounds, who couldn’t normally afford - and wouldn’t usually come in to contact with - one of the existing advertising courses available in the UK. The school will cater for 15 students and begins term in September 2018. The course consists of a one term boot camp, followed by two terms touring agencies working on briefs, before a guaranteed six-month industry placement. 

On average only 11% of employees in creative industries are from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, most of which occupy roles in IT or Computer Services. And with the increasing cost of living in London, barriers to employment in creative roles are commonplace. The foundation intends to break the mould of the traditional routes into the industry offering education, mentoring and employment to young people across the UK.

“As an industry, we need to unite and claim responsibility for the future talents of the advertising world. In order to achieve true diversity amongst the individuals who drive this business, as well as in the ideas we have, we need to find a new way of thinking. We need to address how and where we find future creatives and drive change in the process,” said Jeremy Green, Creative Circle Foundation CEO.

The Creative Circle Foundation course is supported by and funded by the UK creative industry. The school will raise funds through the annual Creative Circle Awards, with 10% of entry fees and 100% of membership fees being pledged to the Foundation. The Foundation will also be funded through individuals and companies in the UK creative industries. Each student’s fees are broken down into terms. A sponsor can choose to support a student for one, two, or the entire three terms. Each sponsoring company will receive a roundel to recognise their support. Bronze for one term, Silver for two and Gold for the three terms.

The Foundation is headed by several trustees including Vicki Maguire (Grey London) as Chair, Mark Waites (Mother), Peter Souter (TBWA), Caroline Pay (Grey London), Trevor Robinson (Quiet Storm) and Chaka Sobhani (Leo Burnett).

A new website has also been launched with more information about the Foundation, trustees, supporters, and donations. The site will soon reveal details on future tutorials and workshops to be delivered by industry luminaries.