In 2013, IAPI had great aspirations for the younger and less experienced people working within the advertising industry. The aim was to create a forum that would bring people from every aspect of media together. The objective was to create an open, active and collaborative resource which provided training, built networking opportunities and facilitated new ideas. To this end the Future Heads group was formed and in 2013 and we tried to live up to the goals set out for us.

2013 was a great year for us, we can certainly look back and be happy with the achievements which are under our belt. The Big Grill, internship guidelines and the great Summer Party ping pong war to name a few.

But 2014 is already upon us and it is time to reform our group, review our goals and see how we can build on the achievements of ‘13. Last Wednesday we did just that.

On 22 January 2014 existing and new members alike came together to make plans, share ideas and meet some new people. For 2014 our plans are even more ambitious; we will be aiming to repeat the great Summer Ping Pong War of 2013, to complete and circulate the Induction Pack for people joining a creative agency. In addition, several new projects are in the pipeline.

The projects are varied but all have one common goal, to be of particular relevance to the young and less experienced in the industry. A number of common threads and ideas came to light in the first meeting:

A need to educate people on the importance and relevance of IAPI to those joining the industry.
To create events which were of specifically tailored to those new to the industry or in mid-level positions.
To find new ways to attract great people into the industry.
To have another great Summer Party where we can see again a cross section of media people come together (call it a truly integrated media party).
To build a digital specs best practice for use across each agency.
And, to create a space for creatives within the industry to share ideas, receive portfolio advice and meet each other.

Lots of ideas, lots of work to be done in 2014. Various sub groups within the Future Heads have been formed: We have a point of contact for each project.

IAPI Summer Party (tentatively scheduled for 19 June) is Hannah Kelly in Publics hannah.kelly@publicis.ie
Attracting young graduates to a career in advertising – contact is Aisling in IAPI aisling@iapi.com
Sorting out Digital Specs – contact is Leonie in Vizeum Leonie.Howlin@vizeum.com
Young Creative Council – Laura McGovern in Cawley Nea laura.mcgovern@tbwa.com
The Big Grill l#2 – Kieran in Boys and Girls kieran.odonovan@boysandgirls.ie
Events is Toni in Starcom antonia.mctaggart@starcom.ie