MCN Joins Forces with Athar Festival 2024 to Shape the Next Generation of Saudi Creative Talent

MCN | Middle East Communications Network announces its partnership with Athar Festival 2024, taking place November 5-6 in Riyadh. As partner of the Student Creative Academy, MCN will bring together seasoned industry leaders from its agencies, including FP7McCann, UM, Initiative, MRM, Jack Morton, and Weber Shandwick, to mentor and nurture the next wave of undergraduate Saudi creative talent across multiple disciplines, including events, tech, PR, digital, strategy, content creation, and media.

This partnership reinforces MCN’s commitment to advancing Saudi Vision 2030 by cultivating home grown talent and driving further diversity, innovation, and growth within the MarComms industry. It is designed to empower young Saudi talent to excel in the creative industries. 

The academy will provide participants aged 18-25 with a curated program of talks, mentorship, and a creative brief challenge judged by industry leaders, culminating in an award ceremony at the festival. Delivered in English and Arabic, the program is designed to equip the next generation of creatives with the skills and insights needed to thrive in advertising, communications, and marketing.

This partnership further complements the most recent programme from MCN Academy in Saudi Arabia, offering Saudi National graduates the opportunity to learn, train, and grow, with the potential for recruitment into leading global agency brands. 

Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, the initiative aims to attract Saudi National talent and enhance diversity within the MarComms industry, supporting MCN Academy’s broader mission to nurture talent at all levels through a comprehensive learning journey across advertising, media, PR, strategy, data, social, and digital disciplines.

Ghassan Harfouche, CEO – MCN MENAT commented, “MCN’s partnership with the Athar Festival Creative Student Academy aligns and supports with Saudi Vision 2030, emphasising youth empowerment, talent diversification, and the growth of the creative economy. We are dedicated to not only representing but also developing the next generation of talent, equipping them with the right skills and approach, in a dynamic and fast-evolving market. The program supports MCN Academy’s broader mission to nurture talent at all levels and our commitment to nurturing future leaders who will drive creativity and innovation in the region.”

Ian Fairservice, chairman of Athar Festival and managing partner of Motivate Media Group commented, “I am thrilled to see the continued expansion of the Young Talent Academies at Athar Festival 2024 with the support of invaluable partners like MCN. These academies represent a core pillar of our commitment to fostering the next generation of creative leaders in Saudi Arabia. By offering young talent a unique platform to learn from industry veterans, collaborate with peers, and tackle real-world challenges, we are not only enriching their career development but also advancing the creative marketing sector as a key driver of Saudi Vision 2030.”

MCN’s presence at Athar Festival will be further bolstered by key representatives from its agencies, who will serve as jury members and mentors. 

To know more about the Athar Young Talent Academics, please visit here.