We're thrilled to announce the launch of Sparks Live, a Gen-Z-led event crafted for young people aged between 18 and 25, who are curious about the creative industry. It’s powered by our NextGen board, a dynamic working group of 18-24-year-olds from across the agency.
Held at the agency’s studio headquarters in Hartlebury on Thursday 16th November, the programme is open to those currently in education, particularly those pursuing creative topics.
Our educational initiative Sparks originated in 2019 to promote creative industries to young people in schools, informing them of the diverse career opportunities. Collaborating with local educational institutions during the pandemic, the programme provided online support to teachers, including worksheets and guidance on integrating creative themes within the existing curriculum. Students have previously benefitted from studio visits, workshop broadcasts and mentoring, and the newest event, ‘Sparks Live’ will feature sessions that ignite creativity, build confidence, and nurture the skills needed to excel in the creative industries.
Among the highlights is an insightful session on imposter syndrome, led by Elaine Voss, our Head of Learning and Engagement. Elaine commented, "Sparks Live is about providing those at the crucial age ahead of their careers with the tools and confidence they need to make their mark in the creative world. From my experience, young people are bursting with creativity, but can sometimes find it hard to channel it through the right mediums and even more so to navigate that creativity into a specialism."
“We will be giving an insight into the different functions that make up the creative communications sector through passionate talks from our very own field experts who have propelled their own careers, either through higher education, apprenticeships or directly from school."
Our involvement in the Sparks initiative underscores our reputation as a trusted partner in empowering the next generation of creative professionals. Our long-standing commitment to apprenticeships and our ongoing investment in learning and engagement exemplify the company's dedication to nurturing talent.
This all-day event promises an exciting blend of knowledge-sharing, skill development, and networking opportunities. Film Researcher and next-gen board member Amara Betts-Patel said, "DRPG has a rich history of nurturing talent through apprenticeships and work placements. It’s so promising to see a number of our senior leaders at DRPG started as apprentices, in this very building! Our investment in learning and engagement is a testament to our dedication to supporting the growth of young creatives."
To sign up for the event, click here.
Please note that spaces are on a first come first serve basis during the registration window until Friday 3rd November. Guests will need to organise travel to and from the venue on the day. Studio 212 is in Hartlebury, DY10 4EU. Once attendance is confirmed, more information will be provided about the day, including an itinerary and exciting content teasers.
