VMLY&R is opening its doors this week to a new Detroit Experience Studio (DES), a 10-week immersive program where high school students can explore creative careers, build skills in marketing, advertising, and design, and work alongside industry experts and leaders.
Rooted in the Detroit community, DES was created to inspire the next generation of creative trailblazers and to address the stark racial inequity that exists in the creative industry. Black employees currently make up approximately 7% in advertising.
“There is so much creative talent in the city of Detroit. Unfortunately, there are also so many barriers to enter industries like advertising. Detroit Experience Studio is designed to empower young people to not only think about having traditional careers like being a doctor or lawyer, but also consider careers like a creative director or UX designer,” said Nikeisha Beckford, chair of DES’ advisory board.
DES will run two cohorts a year: Fall (October-January) and Winter (March-May), with 20 students in its inaugural year. The 10-week program meets twice a week, and class sessions are two hours each day. The DES vision is to celebrate youth as they are, while amplifying Black and brown voices in a highly creative and collaborative environment.
DES is a free program for all student participants. It is funded by a multi-year grant through VMLY&R’s holding company, WPP, and developed in partnership with its sister agencies, Makerhouse and UWG, as well as a few of the Detroit public schools.
“We’re excited to open our doors and work collaboratively with the next generation of creative leaders. The inspiration for DES is action-oriented social change. While it is a unique approach, hopefully these type of opportunities become more prevalent across our industry,” said Jon Cook, VMLY&R global CEO.
For more information and to apply, click here.
SMPTE elects board officers, regional governors
SMPTE®,the home of media professionals, technologists, and engineers, has revealed the board officers and regional governors who will serve terms beginning in January 2025.
Three new officers--Richard Welsh as SMPTE president, Eric Gsell as SMPTE executive VP, and Polly Hickling as SMPTE Education VP--have been elected for a two-year term from Jan. 1, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2026. One SMPTE officer, Lisa Hobbs, will be continuing her service as SMPTE secretary and treasurer for another two-year term. Additionally, Raymond Yeung will be stepping into the role of standards VP on Jan. 1, 2025.
“SMPTE’s membership has spoken,” said SMPTE interim executive director Sally-Ann D’Amato. “These officers have been tasked with an important responsibility, one each of them is prepared to tackle head-on. These next two years are looking bright for SMPTE!”
In addition to the officers, 10 regional governors were elected by the Society to serve two-year 2025-2026 terms.
These include the following regional governors, re-elected to continue their service:
Asia-Pacific Region Governor
Tony Ngai, Society of Motion Imaging Ltd.
EMEA - Central & South America Region Governor
Fernando Bittencourt, FB Consultant
United Kingdom Region Governor
Chris Johns, Sky UK.
USA - Central Region Governor
William T. Hayes, Consultant
USA - Eastern Region Governor
Dover Jeanne Mundt, Riedel Communications
USA - Western Region Governor
Jeffrey F. Way, Open Drives
Also elected were four newcomers to the SMPTE Board:
Canada Region Governor
Jonathan Jobin, Grass Valley
USA - Hollywood Region Governor
Allan Schollnick, Voxx... Read More