Deanne Constantine, founder of talent consultancy Blue Bateau, has launched a new networking event in Melbourne to reconnect an increasingly disconnected advertising and media industry.
The Open Table aims to build stronger peer connections across all types of roles within the industry. It is open to all areas and all levels, reflecting its ‘no closed doors, hierarchy or agendas’ policy.
The networking event launches with a fun night at David’s in Prahran for all-you-can-eat Yum Cha on Wednesday, 23rd October, and will then follow with a series of open events.
Constantine explained that she launched The Open Table because she “strongly believes that successful creative careers are built in collaboration, and not wholly about the individual work that you do.”
“The people you work with and your wider network play a pivotal role in your career development. But across the board, people in our industry are feeling disconnected and siloed in one area. You’re either network, independent, digital, start-up, senior or junior.
“But what about just being creative? Or just wanting to be connected to any and all roles within the industry? People don’t know people anymore. C-Suite are not across emerging talent, emerging talent don’t know leadership as much as they used to,” she said.
“This kind of disconnection is also causing more people to leave the industry, and I believe more connections will help remind them of what a remarkable sector advertising and media really is.
Constantine continued: “Network in advertising has always been extremely powerful. But now it’s more than that – it’s core to attracting and retaining talent, and keeping us strong against emerging trends in tech.
“People within agencies are often talking about collaborating for the good of clients, so let’s now also collaborate for the good of our industry,” she added.
–
Top image: Deanne Constantine