Making the GRADe

Following the recent Grad Day 2009, we asked the successful candidate, Will Poskett, to say a few words…

Funny how things work out. Just when it seemed graduate recruitment days were following a familiar pattern:

1. Meet and greet fellow Grads
2. 'Relaxed chat' with agency people (relaxing… more like bungee jumping)
3. Hopes dashed in the final round with “Thanks, but no thanks.”

To cap it all, we're in the worst recession for years. Could things get any better? Well, yes they could, and they did! Pretty spectacularly better, to be honest. I not only got the job, but I was hired in my dream role as a Grad Account Planner.

 It certainly wasn’t easy though, as I was up against some incredibly talented people. Despite the nerves it was really interesting to learn more about Wunderman’s work, and I was pretty much blown away by the client list. The relaxed chats were followed by a 'Dragon's Den' presentation. The other candidates really raised the bar when it came to pitching their ideas, which meant I had to really go for it, too.

The adrenaline from pitching in front of everyone meant the rest of the day went pretty quickly. Thankfully, it kept me going for the one-to-one interviews. A couple of surprises – firstly that the Planning Director had actually read my blog and that the Head of Operations hails, like myself, from Lytham St Annes.

For the final part of the day, working in teams we planned and presented digital ideas for the Telegraph. I was pleased that we worked well together and came up with an idea with some strong strategic thinking behind it.

Who am I?
Five quick facts about Wunderman's new Graduate Account Planner:
• Philosophy graduate from the University of Durham.
• Recently completed a Masters degree from the University of York – results soon
• Briefly trained as an actor at a leading London drama school after graduating
• Worked as a researcher before finding my way into advertising
• Interests: theatre, film, photography

Digital excellence on both sides of the pond

Just when Wunderman UK showcases some of its online work on a new website, our Wunderman cousins in the US are cited as a leading interactive agency.

Recognising the strengths across our network of digital agencies, including ZAAZ, Blast Radius, and Design Kitchen, the Forrester independent report focuses on strategy and execution over the last year or so.

Specifically, the report shows how we scored highly for measurement and analytics, account measurement, as well as development and execution. In addition, Wunderman earned perfect scores for our focus and reach, and product/services road map. Plus, ZAAZ received particularly commendation for its advanced thinking around web optimization and analytics capabilities.

For further analysis of the report, see the Forrester Blog for Interactive Marketing Professionals.

To learn more about Wunderman UK's work, searchable by client and capability, see www.wunderman.co.uk

Alternatively, visit our global website at www.wunderman.com

Life’s a journey, but avoid Kings X

It’s been a pleasure working with our latest placement team, Chris Lidstone and Stephen Drew. During their fortnight they’ve found working at Wunderman inspiring (their own words, honestly)… their accommodation slightly less so.

Having studied hard at Birmingham City University, they’re now embarking on their careers in advertising. Hopefully, with some Wunderman wow, creative support and the experience of working on live briefs under their belts, it will help them along the way.

Final thoughts from the boys, "A big thanks to everyone for being so welcoming. We've really enjoyed ourselves and now have a better idea of what to expect in the industry. The Ford Mondeo brief with Tom Powell and Graham Jenks has been amazing and they've inspired us, and if all goes well a couple of ideas might go live. Plus, a big thanks to Nigel Edginton-Vigus for giving us this opportunity!

“This has really given us a hunger to get out of Beerrrmingham and make the move to the big smoke... maybe not the same hotel in Kings Cross next time.”

We wish them every success in the future.

Grad Day 2009

The final assessment day for the Wunderman 2009-10 graduate intake was a real challenge.

With just one graduate planning role up for grabs, there'd been a huge response and only six lucky candidates were invited to the last stage. It was almost like The Apprentice, minus Alan Sugar melodramatics, waste-of-space candidates or the OK! Magazine offers.

The gruelling day included an introduction to life at Wunderman, the agency's capabilities and a talk from Tom Gibby (pictured above, sharing words of wisdom), last year's successful planning graduate. Candidates also presented their examples of good and bad ads with 10 minutes questioning from the panel. This was followed by two 30 minute one-on-one interviews with senior members of the board and planning team.

 Working in teams to plan a strategy was the next test. The potential grads were split into two groups to work on the launch of a new vehicle for Land Rover or to provide a solution for a newspaper in today’s digital environment. The groups then had to present their ideas, again with time for questions at the end.

Team winners got champagne and all the grads received the classic “Hey, Whipple, Squeeze This: A Guide to Creating Great Advertising” by Luke Sullivan as a thank you for getting so far. There was an informal chat with the planning team over the odd glass of lager and wine.

What a day! Thanks again to the high quality candidates – the final decision will be made shortly – and we'll report it here!

Plucky but unlucky

Friday 31st July, 8pm KO, Wunderman v RKCR - not only the opening football match of the season, the first ever game for the recently formed Wunderman XI. Just our luck to come up against quality RKCR opposition (recent winners of the NABS 5-a-side).

Apart from the warm-up (see above, where our performance clearly peaked) the Wunderman highlight was Simon Usifo's goal in the 75th minute. Cutting in from the left wing, he skinned two defenders to slot neatly inside the far post. And we would have had another from a penalty if the crossbar hadn't sagged down so much.

Let down by two bad 10-minute spells in the the first half and beginning of the second, at the whistle we narrowly lost by nine-ish goals or something.

Thanks to the team for giving up their Friday evening, including Marvin for organising, the chaps from Byfleet and the other ringers colleagues.

PS Can we have some proper kit next time and a ball that doesn't turn black after 10 minutes?