Slovenian association launches international internship programme for young creatives

The Slovenian Advertising Chamber (SOZ) has teamed up with VIA - the Dutch association of advertising agencies and adtech platforms - to launch the “International Internship for Young Creatives”. The programme aims to encourage new talent to enter the advertising profession and help contribute to the sustainable development of the industry.

Commenting on the launch, SOZ CEO Mojca Briščik said: “In Slovenia we have noticed a declining interest in the profession within our industry, which is primarily felt by advertising agencies. With the aim of restoring reputation and substance to marketing communications in Slovenia, we wanted to find a way to attract new talent by providing opportunities that put them outside of their comfort zones, giving them concrete practical knowledge and experience, and most importantly, exposing them to a new working environment with various cultural considerations. In this way, we are convinced that the experience will bring not only professional growth, but also a certain breadth of mind on a personal level.”

The initiative is part of SOZ’s ongoing national creative competition that offers young people the opportunity to do an internship with an agency (a SOZ member) abroad. This year’s edition is open to creatives in Slovenia aged 19 to 28, regardless of experience. Interested creatives must submit a brief for a campaign around the theme “a passion for sport”. The competition closes on July 15 and the winner will be announced during SOZ’s Slovenian Advertising Festival (SOF) in Ljubljana on September 9-10.

As part of the international programme, the chosen creative will do a two-week internship at Dept, a Dutch digital agency, in their Amsterdam headquarters between April-May 2022. The competition is supported by Mastercard and will cover all travel and accommodation expenses, as well as provide pocket money and other benefits.

SOZ and its partners hope that the internship programme will not only inspire other industry associations to do the same, but also encourage more sharing of best practices and more cultural exchanges to boost diversity and the development of the advertising industry.

For more information, contact SOZ.