Keep Confident and Carry On
For many, 2024 was another forgettable year for business.
Unfortunately, business cycles don’t tend to observe the Gregorian calendar. A new year doesn’t mean the end of poor operating conditions. It can, however, represent a moment in time to stop focusing on the negatives and start seeking, and highlighting, the positives that we use to encourage optimism and remind ourselves that advertising and marketing is largely a confidence game. Confidence needs feeding, and that is in large part what we at Comms Council aim to provide.
What We're Focused On
Here’s what we’re focused on in the next few months to ensure that our member agencies and the wider industry can build in confidence and thrive:
Graduate Recruitment Day
Last week, we held our annual graduate recruitment day, inviting more than 30 young people to present to member agencies seeking entry-level talent. It was a humbling day; the candidates were impressive and articulate, holding the room with confidence and inspiring us all. It was a reminder that our biggest asset is our talent, and our future rests on attracting the best young professionals to our industry.
If you missed Agency Day but are seeking entry-level talent, get in touch by emailing amanda@commscouncil.nz
Young Lions Competition
Keeping with the theme of young talent, the Young Lions competition is now open. We’ll be briefing the Film and Media categories on 12 February, thanks to the support of new sponsor Google. The competition is open to all industry professionals aged 30 or under.
Entrants must register by 7 February. Register here.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Our commitment to better representation and inclusion remains steadfast. In 2025, Comms Council will launch a new platform for DEI, built on the belief that advertising is most effective when it fully represents the cultures in which we operate.
In February, we’ll launch our biennial Census Survey to measure progress in representation and inclusion.
Sign up here to be notified when the Census is open.
Upcoming Events
- 19 February: The Extraordinary Cost of Dull – A free webinar with Adam Morgan (founder of eatbigfish) on the true cost of dull advertising. Non-member tickets: $25. Get tickets here.
- 27 March: AXIS Speaks – A must-attend event for advertising professionals and marketers. Speakers include Brent Smart (Telstra CMO), Chelsea Winstanley (film producer), and Kevin Chesters (author of The Creative Nudge).
