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Last chance to apply for #CreativeComeback

The flagship scheme for returners, supported by Diageo, is back with a UK-wide scheme offering free support for returners.

Nicola Kemp

Editorial Director Creativebrief

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Creative Equals is expanding the reach and impact of its #CreativeComeback programme this year by making it UK wide. 

Emma Murphy, Communities Director at Creative Equals, explained: “As the programme has proven just as effective as a virtual programme, we’re able to take it beyond London to anywhere in the UK.”

She continued: “With many employers now being open to the possibility of remote workers, this opens up returnships to a new set of talent outside London’s borders.”

The programme launches at a vital time for the industry, which is in the midst of a widely reported ‘talent crunch’, which means that attracting and retaining talent is at the very top of the business agenda. A shift which makes the scheme even more vital to the long term success and cultural relevance of the industry.

With many employers now being open to the possibility of remote workers, this opens up returnships to a new set of talent outside London’s borders

Emma Murphy, Communities Director at Creative Equals

How to stage a Creative Comeback

Now in its fourth year since its launch in 2019, the programme has run in London, New York, and Mumbai. Creative Equals have worked to build the Creative Comeback programme’s impact and it now provides an additional support package post-programme for all the cohort over a three-month period. 

The programme has been supported year-on year by Diageo, who Creative Equals describe as “committed partners who have fostered its growth since the programme’s inception”. The sponsorship is part of Diageo’s wider commitment to accelerate diversity, equity and inclusion across the sector. 

As a virtual programme, we can reach more women, non-binary and GNC applicants across the globe, and today across the UK

Ali Hanan, Founder and CEO Creative Equals

To provide best-in-class training, Creative Equals works alongside awards organisation D&AD, as well as providing a best-in-class network and mentoring with a host of industry creative heavyweights from agency partners. This year, agencies Wunderman Thompson, Fishawack, VMLY&R, Pablo, Amazon Prime, Shoot the Moon, Engine have signed up, along with others in the pipeline. 

The programme will run from June 6-10 and it’s free to anyone who has been out of work for over 12 months, anywhere in the UK. It is designed for Copywriters, Art Directors, Creative Directors, Creative Strategists and Content Creators, with a specific focus on designers in 2022. 

The scheme has evolved over the years since its inception with many contributors along the way, including Emily De Groot (initial programme model development), Rachel Gott (talent partner), Paul Drake (D&AD Foundation Director), Jack Lydon (project manager) and Emma Murphy, Communities Director.

‘As a virtual programme we can reach more women, non-binary and GNC applicants across the globe, and today across the UK,’ says CEO and founder, Ali Hanan. 

Applications close on May 13 and are open to apply here

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