Recent research by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) found that the job vacancy rate in the digital advertising and ad tech industry may be close to peaking.
The research found an increasing number of companies reporting no job vacancies. While that may be interpreted as a slightly positive sign of potential change in the industry, learning and development programs are still crucial to ensuring the support and growth of an organisation’s current team.
Kellyann Woodley, the director of learning and development at Publicis Groupe ANZ, spoke to Mediaweek about how the company is supporting their people, the key areas of focus in their L&D program, and bringing back in-person learning.
Woodley joined the organisation in 2019, having had experience in the learning and development space with other organisations such as Clemenger BBDO, Dentsu and Suncorp.
The director noted that in the role, she aims to support Publicis Groupe’s people across Australia and New Zealand in progressing and developing their careers to be fulfilling with them and beyond.
Supporting their people through programs
Woodley said that Publicis Groupe does this through award-winning programs across the agency. She explained: “In the L&D space, our philosophy is to help people create the space, to learn and make the time to grow their capability post-learning. It’s something that we really focus on and encourage our people to do,” she said.
“We are very connected with other global markets, which makes it easy to share learnings from an L&D perspective and initiatives,” she added.
At Publicis Groupe, Woodley noted the primary areas staff want to develop include data and analytics, wellness and managing change.
Meanwhile, the key areas the company want to focus on include managing hybrid leadership, data and performance media.
Publicis Groupe has local and international L&D offerings. Its local program, called Space, presents a variety of skills and workshops for its people on topics such as presenting, client services and growth mindset in both virtual and face-to-face capacities.
Bringing back in-person learning
Woodley noted that the landscape of learning has changed over the last two years with the move to virtual sessions amid the pandemic but said that face-to-face will always have an important place.
“Virtual training still has a part to play in our training. But we need to think about delivering face-to-face.
“Virtual has a length of time that you want people to be on Zoom or a virtual session as opposed to face-to-face training, which we are bringing back in an impactful way where our people can learn socially. If you think about virtual training, it’s very different to being in a room with other people,” she said.
“So, we are bringing back social learning so people can learn from each other and immerse themselves more deeply in the training content,” Woodley added.
Mediaweek Academy
Mediaweek announced a revised start date for its inaugural Mediaweek Academy due to feedback requesting time to adjust learning and development budgets.
The aim of the Academy – led by industry educator and former media agency leader Greg Graham – is to nurture, train, and develop the industry’s most valuable resource – people.
The first semester will commence in February 2023 and conclude in November 2023 for ten lessons. Meanwhile, the curriculum plus the Legends & Superstars remain the same for the new season.
Woodley shared her support for the Academy, calling it: “a great way to teach future leaders.”
The director said: “One of the ways people learn and are inspired is by exposure to senior leaders across the business. Hearing about their different experiences, challenges, and how they got to be where they got now is a great way to inspire them.
“We do similar things here at Publicis, and it’s something that people enjoy. So, I definitely agree with that approach,” Woodley added.
See also: IAB research finds job vacancy rate in digital advertising is close to peaking
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Top image: Kellyann Woodley