Wunderman Thompson Launches Recruitment Programme The Catalyst Academy 

Wunderman Thompson's mission is to inspire growth for ambitious brands – acting as a growth partner to the world’s top companies. To do this effectively, it needs brilliant people who are excited by the potential that technology, data and creativity have to work in harmony and deliver brilliant experiences for consumers. That is why it's are excited to launch its new industry-defining programme, the Catalyst Academy, starting in April 2021. 

Wunderman Thompson knows that talent comes in a variety of forms and from different backgrounds. You might be a recent graduate, or, you might have been working for a few years and realised you yearn to do something more creative. What matters is that you are obsessed with creativity, problem solving and imagining future possibilities for our clients’ brands. Wunderman believes that by bringing diverse minds together it will inspire growth for our clients and ourselves – so whatever your background, whatever your passion, Wunderman welcome your application.

What is the Catalyst Academy?

The future of communications is changing rapidly and for brands to succeed they need to have access to a range of experts who can deliver everything from brand communications, digital, data, and content to customer engagement, technology, consulting and experience. At Wunderman Thompson, we are home to the full range of disciplines and our promise to our clients is that we will use creativity, data and technology to inspire growth for ambitious brands. In order for us to do this well, we want to develop a new breed of client leaders who can understand, communicate and deliver across the entire range of our capabilities. The Catalyst Academy is designed to do exactly that – growing the leaders of tomorrow who have a breadth of experience so that they can work in a fluid and integrated way.

The Catalyst Academy is an eighteen-month programme currently being offered in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands that consists of multiple rotations within different Wunderman Thompson businesses. Along with the rotations, the Catalysts will train together throughout the duration of the programme; supporting each other, learning and, of course, having fun. At the end of the programme we will work with candidates to identify where they will be best positioned to succeed in a landing role within Wunderman Thompson.

What’s in it for candidates?

We believe that we have designed the very best, most inspiring and exciting entry level programme in the industry – combining focussed training modules with practical work experience. We want candidates to be ready, not just for today, but for the future. And the Catalyst Academy is designed to accelerate development: catalysts will rapidly take on real client responsibilities and can expect fast career progression. During the eighteen month programme they will rotate through different specialisms and be assigned a mentor who will be there to support, guide and advise throughout. Catalyst’s will also gain essential industry qualifications from the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) and the WPP A.I. Academy. Furthermore catalysts’ will receive a broad ranging introduction to the industry with visits to media owners such as Google, Facebook and other key creative, technology and data partners. 

Catalysts will start off with a competitive base salary plus a welcome bonus, so no need to worry about buying your travel card before pay day. Catalysts will also get 25 days annual leave, discount on medical insurance and a healthy pension contribution – it’s never too early to plan for your future. They’ll also have access to a whole host of personal development opportunities plus the chance to be part of our employee resource groups including Women’s Network, Unite, Roots, Wellbeing and Green Team.

We know it’s only by bringing diverse minds together that we and our clients will grow. Inclusion and diversity are a fundamental part of Wunderman Thompson – we’re committed to making sure our people reflect the diversity of the wider world and creating an inclusive environment where our people feel that they belong. We want to see applications from candidates of all identities and backgrounds.