MCN | Middle East Communications Network has announced a partnership with Athar – Saudi Festival of Creativity for 2024 to support the next wave of Saudi creative talent.
The network has partnered with the festival’s Young Talent Academies to launch the Student Creative Academy, which will take place during the festival from November 5-6 in Riyadh. The academy aims to mentor and nurture the next generation of undergraduate Saudi creative talent across multiple disciplines.
At 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 the talent on events, tech, PR, digital, strategy, content creation, and media.
The partnership aims to reinforce MCN’s commitment to advancing Saudi Vision 2030 by cultivating home-grown talent and driving further diversity, innovation, and growth within the MarComms industry.
“MCN’s partnership with the Athar Festival Creative Student Academy aligns and supports with Saudi Vision 2030, emphasizing youth empowerment, talent diversification, and the growth of the creative economy,” said, Ghassan Harfouche, CEO – MCN MENAT.
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 programme 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 programme is designed to equip the next generation of creatives with the skills and insights needed to thrive in advertising, communications, and marketing.
It also further complements the agency’s 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.
“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 programme 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,” added Harfouche.
“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,” said, Ian Fairservice, Chairman of Athar Festival and Managing Partner of Motivate Media Group.
MCN’s presence at Athar Festival will be further bolstered by key representatives from its agencies, who will serve as jury members and mentors.
