The Marketing Academy is working with The Economist Group to offer one person a year-long Apprenticeship within their Circulation Marketing team.
The Apprenticeship programme is named after Merlin – the mascot of The Marketing Academy, a non-profit organisation whose aims are to develop talent and leadership within the marketing, advertising and communications industries. Merlin’s Apprentice programme is a 12 month fully paid marketing apprenticeship for young adults who because of challenging backgrounds, lack of qualifications or poor life choices are normally overlooked for this kind of work experience.
If this sounds like you then read on!
Who?
This opportunity is available to anyone who is available to work in the UK and who is currently classified as a ‘NEET’ (not in education, employment or training). They may be individuals who have struggled at school, have been in care, are long-term unemployed or have made poor life choices.
You do not need any formal qualifications as full training will be given but you will need to show strong communication skills and enthusiasm, as well as basic IT abilities. You must also demonstrate a genuine interest in developing a career within marketing communications.
To find out what the Apprenticeship involves and to see if it might be the right opportunity for you, take a look at the Job Description below.
What?
The aim of the Merlin’s Apprentice programme is to equip you with the basic knowledge, skills and experience to work towards a career in marketing and communications.
This is a 12 month Apprenticeship and you’ll receive an annual salary of £13,000, funded through The Marketing Academy.
The programme involves:
• 12 months’ paid work experience, hosted by The Economist based at their office in Canary Wharf
• A recognised marketing qualification through the Chartered Institute of Marketing
• The skills and knowledge to understand fundamental marketing concepts
• Practical office skills – including software packages, administration systems etc.
• Developing your confidence and motivation towards a future career
Merlin’s Apprentice is an initiative of Marketing Hall of Legends UK – the voluntary, non-profit organisation behind The Marketing Academy. They will be funding the initiatives and therefore your employer but you will be seconded to The Economist who will manage and support your day to day work.
You will also have access to learning streams from The Marketing Academy Scholarship, enabling each Apprentice to benefit from mentoring, coaching, networking and personalised learning.
We cannot guarantee you a job at the end of the year, but we will support you to look for permanent employment.
When?
The application process is open now and the closing date is Monday 15th August 2016. The year-long Apprenticeship will begin in September 2016.
How do I apply?
We want to support young people who may not otherwise be able to achieve a career in marketing. We’re interested in your potential, not your qualifications or employment history. So we’ve designed an application process which enables you to use your creativity and communication skills.
You need to send us three things:
1 – Your CV:
This includes all of your contact information and any qualifications or experience to date. Experience may by from paid or voluntary work, other formal or informal activities. Tell us about your hobbies, interests and the things you are most proud to have achieved. If you don’t have a CV, there are plenty of templates and guides available online. This should be no more than two sides of A4 paper.
2 – Reference Letter:
Ask someone who knows you well to write a supporting letter, explaining why they think you should be chosen for this opportunity. It could be from a parent or guardian, teacher or youth worker. Ask them to explain their relationship with you and to highlight your achievements and strengths, and why an opportunity to learn the basics of marketing would be important to you. This should be no more than two sides of A4 paper.
3 – ‘Why Me’:
This is your opportunity to showcase the reasons why you feel you should be selected for an Apprenticeship above all other applicants and to demonstrate your strengths and talents, particularly in relation to the Job Description and Person Specification. The format of this is entirely up to you, so be creative. It could be a written document, a presentation, a short film or whatever you choose. It should take no more than two minutes to read, watch, look at or listen to, and if you are selected for interview, you will be asked to share with the marketing team in person. If the ‘Why Me’ is a media file, please send a link in a word files as part of your application.
What Next?
Have a think about whether this is the right opportunity for you
• Are you interested in a career in marketing and communications?
• Are you good at communicating with people?
• Will you be able to work full-time in central London?
• Do you have the enthusiasm and commitment to be a real success?
• To discuss the role, please email Emma Clifton on emmaclifton@economist.com with a subject of: Question relating to Merlin’s Apprentice
If you want to apply, then complete the three elements of your application listed above and submit them through The Economist Group recruitment portal at http://bit.ly/29PUy0D (click on the ‘Apply for this job online’ in the top right hand corner). Your application should reach us no later than Monday 15th August 2016 at 5pm. We’ll let you know whether you have been shortlisted by Friday 26th August 2016 and interviews will take place between 29th August and 9th September 2016.
Good luck!
Merlin’s Apprentice Job Description
Circulation Marketing Trainee, UK
Reporting to:
To be confirmed
About The Economist:
The Economist was first published in 1843 and headquartered in London, The Economist Group today has offices and people across the globe, and is valued by its customers for its world-class insights and rigorous analysis.
Our vision of the world, our style and our whole philosophy are different. We are international, we stress the links between politics and business, we are sometimes irreverent and we are always independent. That philosophy is at the core of how we operate internally as well. We value individuals who think differently and can challenge the status quo.
We are an international company, employing staff throughout the world, with offices in London, Frankfurt, Geneva, Paris, Dubai, Johannesburg, New York, Washington, DC, Hong Kong, mainland China, Singapore, Tokyo and India.
The Economist’s goal is to “take part in a severe contest between intelligence, which presses forward, and an unworthy, timid ignorance obstructing our progress.”
The Economist has remained successful over the past 173 years because it has always been:
• A smart guide to the forces that shape the future
• A trusted filter on world affairs
• An advocate for positive change
• Giving a global perspective
• Quality our readers are willing to pay for
Role in a nutshell:
An entry-level role assisting with online (digital) and offline (direct mail, street experiences etc) subscriber acquisition (getting new subscribers) and retention (keeping subscribers) marketing programmes for The Economist.
There will also be a focus on aiding our initiatives to build up our female and student customer subscribers.
Key responsibilities:
Digital Acquisition
• Obtaining new subscribers via digital marketing channels
• Assisting channel specialists as necessary (TV; Out of Home [posters]; Digital display advertising; social media advertising; mobile marketing; search [Google]; email; affiliate marketing)
• Assisting digital functional heads as necessary (Creative; media; technical operations and data)
• Project work such as desk/field/market research, mystery shopping, competitor/trend analysis
• Attendance at key media & creative partner meetings.
• General office duties (admin, photocopying, meeting room set up etc.)
Experiential Acquisition & Newsstand
• Obtaining new subscribers via street marketing and retail channels
• Project work on experiential marketing, retail, information gathering on global premia (giveaways) management and market performance analysis for Europe across key markets.
Engagement and Customer Retention
• Using digital marketing and traditional marketing (e.g. direct mail) to make sure our subscribers re-subscribe at the end of their subscription periods.
• Assistance with digital-Newsletters and an initiative to acquire more student readers.
Thought leadership
• Creating interest in The Economist by getting other publications to talk about us and what we are trying to do. What we are trying to do is make people and society more informed and therefore more open minded to positive (progressive) change.
• Assistance with general PR activities and associated administration.
• Assistance with an initiative to acquire more female readers.
Key relationships
External:
• Creative agency
• Media agencies
• Order fulfilment company
• Telemarketing agents
• Student partners
Internal:
• Digital Marketing Audience Conversion Director
• Digital Marketing Audience Development Director
• Digital marketing specialists
Performance measures (General):
• Give marketing teams a business advantage
• Learn core skills and competencies
Merlin’s Apprentice Person Specification
Circulation Marketing Trainee, UK
Candidates must:
• Not be in full-time education, employment or training
• Be living in the Greater London area for the duration of the programme
• Have the right to work in the UK and be residing in guaranteed accommodation
• Demonstrate a genuine interest in marketing, design, media, creative, digital, PR, and/or communications. Ideally also interested in publishing, news, current and international affairs including politics, business, society, technology, culture/the arts and economics.
• Evidence commitment to, or a desire for, self-development, and show interest in broadening horizons through work
• Be committed to the programme for one year
• Be ready to start full-time employment in September 2016
Skills & Personal Qualities
• Have a basic level of numeracy, literacy and computer skills
• Communication (telephone and email)
• Attention to detail
• Articulate and open minded
• Time management and ability to prioritise tasks and work to deadlines
• Possess a proactive ‘can do’ attitude, be able to work calmly and efficiently under pressure and have a professional outlook
• Show good time-keeping & attendance.
• A willingness to develop and respond positively to change
• Reliable
• Respect for confidentiality
• Team player, who can work alone if necessary
• Well presented, friendly, personable, a multi-tasker
