
A new cross-industry, free and inclusive mentoring initiative for young people working across Creative, Media, Consulting, Marketing, Publishing and Technology.
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In partnership with Youngbloods.
About
us
Why this matters
We are an industry with a heavy skew toward young people faced with increased pressure and exposure, alongside the effects of a longer deliverables, shorter deadlines, fewer resources, smaller budgets, "evolve or die" culture.
Research we conducted revealed:
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96% of industry under 30yrs don’t have access to mentors or a mentoring program independent of their organisation.
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There is a real need for objective and honest advice on the difficult to discuss topics from those who had experienced it or can give a breadth of industry perspective.
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The top four things young people are finding the most challenging being:
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Negotiating pay rises and promotions,
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Maintaining boundaries and saying no,
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Mental stress and anxiety,
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Managing workload and burnout.
What it is
The Trenches is as much about experience sharing as advice giving. Hearing about other people’s experiences and challenges can be a catalyst for change in yourself. Seeing how leaders have gone through similar situations removes the stigma of guilt, failure or inertia, empowering positive action.
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In a nutshell:
One-on-one mentoring sessions with up to 5 leaders over a 6 month period.
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Be it general career advice or progression, navigating politics or real personal struggles, nothing is off-limits.
A way to support and develop the next-gen culture of our industry.
Who it's for
Primarily, anyone under 30 in media, creative, marketing, consulting or technology industry.
Frankly, anyone over 30 and you feel you want this too by all means.
Anyone feeling they need support or objective advice, be it professional, intellectual or emotional.
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*While we wish to support everyone it is based on capacity requirements, so jump in quick.
The
Mentors

Anshika Grover
Transformation, Insight and Innovation, Optus

Jane Merrick
GM Marketing & Distribution, World Nomads

Henry Innis
CSO / Founder, Mutiny
Chiquita King
Founder/MD, Coffee Cocoa Gunpowder


Tracy Hall
Marketing Director,
Go Daddy

James Boardman
​National Strategy Director, Bohemia

Martin Cutris
Head of Performance Agencies, Google

Laura Johnson
Chief Marketing Officer, PASS Technology Group

Katrina White
Small Medium Business Strategy,
Microsoft

Kelly Tagalan
COO​
eQALY

Justin Carew
Creative Director,
McCann

Nicole Bardsley
Head of Brand and Strategy, Westpac

TC Miles,
Director, CMO Advisory, PwC

Mick McKeown
QLD Sales Director,
CUB

Ali Tilling
Chief Strategy Officer, VMLY&R

Michaela Futcher
Head of Strategy,
The Royals

Cally Scivetti
Brand Solution Strategist, Google

Ben Shepherd
Chief Media Officer, CHE Proximity

Carly Du Toit
Marketing & Communications Manager, ACRF

Richard Woods
Group Account Director, BMF

Joel Pearson
Executive Strategy Director, RGA

Iggy Rodriguez
Creative Director,
McCann

Ian Edwards,
Managing Director, Wavemaker

Jane King
Group Director of Marketing, Val Morgan

Alex Conomos
Senior Marketing Manager, Audible

Paul Den
Partner & Co-Founder, Banter

Myriam Conrié
Director of Marketing, Sofitel

Paul Connell
GM & Marketing Director, Unilever

Sarah Murdoch
Global Marketing Director

Adam Ross
Content Lead,
Coca-Cola

Susie Bayes
Head of Partnerships and Philanthropy,
The Guardian

Renee Garner
Chief Operating Officer, RevTech Media

Melissa Webber
Founder & Managing Director, Holy Cow Creative

Adam Slattery
Head of Brand and Communications, Vodafone

Anthony Dever
Editor and Researcher, Fanbloodytastic

Mitch Parkins
Founder, Nanna's Little Secret

Genevieve Reynolds,
Manager, CMO Advisory, PwC

Yash Gandhi
Head of Marketing, Baiada

Hannah Sturrock
Managing Partner,
The Hallway

Kate Smither
Founder, The Tall Planner

Sarah Knox
Director, Res Publica

Kate Gamble,
General Manager, Resolution Media

Sarah Palmer
Head of Talent Management,
Leo Burnett

Cameron Brown
Senior Writer
McCann

Paul Everson, Marketing and Advertising Executive

Brooke Tierney
Founder, The Sister Consulting
Alex Light
Head of Brand Partnerships, VIRTUE

Anna College
Agency Director, Ikon


Jemma White
Marketing & Communications Manager, Montblanc

Lucio Riberio,
Lucio Riberio AI

Kammeron Cran
​Executive Coach, Director, Red Nose
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Sean Hall
Founder & Chief Energist, Energx

Evonne Williams
Brand Strategy Lead
ME Bank

Amy Lee Hopkins
Head of Marketing
Anglicare Southern Queensland

Nicky Bryson
Founder,
The Trenches
Join us
Want to become a mentee?
After a big reception we are closed for Round One. If you are interested in being a please fill out the form and we will add you to our list for the future.
Contact
For any questions, enquiries, to be a mentor or a sponsor please contact us.
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View our:
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