Read Harry’s career journey and new position as Chief Future Officer:
After graduating in 2022, Harry stumbled across a 4-week training programme with Channel 4, which led to a 2-year career at Dentsu.
“I always try to make change within my small team, so I thought I could probably do that company-wide.”
Tell me a little bit about your career journey so far:
In 2022, I graduated from the University of Salford with a film degree. I had no idea what to do or where to go. I had no connections. Everywhere I looked, you needed experience, and it was hard to get experience if you had no experience. Then I stumbled across a Channel 4 initiative on Facebook called Content Creatives, aimed at people from underrepresented groups. I applied for it and managed to secure a place! It was four weeks of training with Channel 4 and a two-month placement with Dentsu. I saw this as an opportunity to get my foot in the door at Dentsu, so I worked my hardest, and it paid off. I was offered a job.
Tell me a little bit about your role:
I started at Dentsu in my full-time role in December 2022 as a Junior Creative. My main client is Oreo, so I work on their social campaigns, TikTok, and Instagram. We have done some really cool collaborations like Pac-Man Xbox, and they’ve got some really exciting ones coming down the line as well. I’ve worked with other brands as well, like NatWest, Ronseal, and Avon. About 6 months ago, I saw an internal post for a Chief Future Officer, applied, and I got it!
Tell me about your role as Chief Future Officer:
It’s a new role Dentsu created that anyone in the company could apply for, but I was lucky enough to secure the position. It’s a 12-month secondment, and I allocate 20% of my time towards it. I always try to make change within my small team, so I thought I could probably do that company-wide. So far, it has been really great. I’ve been connecting with everyone across the business, I’ve been able to make small changes already, and I am working towards bigger changes. It’s been a cool journey I’ve had so far, a bit like a rocket going up and up, and I have a bit of fear that I’m not going to be ready to slow down anytime soon.
What are your goals and ambitions in the role?
There are three main objectives this year:
- How we communicate internally, streamlining information and making it more consumable.
- Setting up an initiative for underrepresented people like me; I want to make the industry more accessible.
- Ensuring Dentsu is ready for the future, which covers lots of topics like work-life balance and AI.
What is important to you?
I think work-life balance is important, making sure your laptop is closed at 5.30 pm, and being able to mentally sign out to avoid burnout. Something I really like about Dentsu is the 3 Well-being days we get off a year. Having a positive culture represents a company that listens to its employees and really cares about their welfare. Also, not just saying we are an inclusive employer but actually being inclusive to all.
What is the best thing about working for Dentsu?
The opportunities I’ve had, the places I’ve managed to visit, and the people I’ve been able to meet with Oreo and the other brands I work on. I also got invited to Cannes, which was incredible.
How did you find Cannes?
Where do I start! OK, so I spent 5 days in Cannes. I got to go to all the press lunches and network with the press from all around the world, tell them about Dentsu and my role as Chief Future Officer. I got to meet with a lot of the clients we work with, which was great as I only have exposure to 4 in my current role. I was able to give them ideas of what they could do with Dentsu in the future, what the future’s looking like, and how they could potentially evolve their brand. I attended all the Dentsu panels, which were really cool. My favourite was Reddit. I spent a lot of time at Dentsu Beach and checked out loads of cool stuff that’s happening in the world of tech. I got to meet loads of celebrities and go to DJ sets. I felt like Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada!
