AMF hosted the project mentorship skills sharing and networking workshop for young minds in the media industry. 

It was open to interns, graduates and junior positions in the fields of media from agencies across Johannesburg, according to AMF.

The project kicked off on Wednesday, 31 August and provided young minds with a free-to-attend day filled with panel discussions held with industry heavyweights.

It also comprised skills-sharing and training sessions by experts in:
  • emotional and physical wellbeing
  • EQ, and
  • leadership.

In addition, the workshop included an inspirational talk on personal branding by 94.7 media personality Msizi James. 

The programme falls part of its commitment to upskilling and connecting the next generation of:
  • media strategists
  • buyers, and
  • planners. 

"The Advertising Media Forum is committed to playing a role in the career guidance and success of all young minds joining our industry. We're excited to enter the last stretch of the year hosting mentorship sessions to inspire, guide, empower and teach the next generation of media professionals," says AMF chairperson Koo Govender. 

According to the AMF, media professionals are often the unseen, unsung heroes of the advertising and marketing mix and play a pivotal role in bringing to life the campaigns that consumers experience every day.

Not only are they key players in the industry, but they also have the power to influence what consumers and South Africans are seeing when it comes to brands across industries and sectors, adds the AMF.

Media works hand in hand with all disciplines in the marketing and communications matrix to ensure brands and businesses are served front and centre to the public. 

The AMF hopes that by hosting networking and skills-sharing workshops, it can provide the necessary launch pad to creating a tighter, more engaged and well-connected industry, which is filled with peers and long-standing open relationships based on knowledge and insight sharing to strengthen the industry as a whole. 

"It is because of the key role our discipline plays in the overall advertising and marketing sector that the AMF has launched the mentorship project, creating an impactful property to upskill, empower and connect young players in the industry and provide a space that they can network and learn from each other," says Govender.

"After all, in this industry, a colleague today could be a client tomorrow, or vice-versa," Govender concludes.

The first project mentor workshop took place on Wednesday, 31 August with plans to roll out more on an ongoing basis in the first quarter of 2023. 

For more information visit www.amf.org.za.