First-of-its-Kind Partnership Between Genesys Works and dentsu to Create Equity in Advertising

Paid Internships that favor talent offer youth from underrepresented communities a chance to gain professional life skills and meaningful work experience 

HOUSTON, TX (September 14, 2021) — National youth workforce development agency Genesys Works and dentsu, a leading modern integrated marketing solutions company, today announce a first-of-its-kind partnership to improve the advertising and marketing industry, as part of the commitment to drive meaningful progress, working to close the opportunity gap and build a pipeline more representative of the future workforce.

As part of the partnership, dentsu will offer 12-month paid internships to high school seniors from underserved communities in the Bay Area, Chicago, New York City, and Washington, D.C., participating in Genesys Works’ earn and learn program. In exchange, Genesys Works will provide dentsu access to a nontraditional pipeline of skilled talent to fill critical positions in human resources, diversity, equity and inclusion, and information technology. 

In early August, dentsu provided a virtual week-long professional development program for 50 students from Genesys Works, in partnership with leading cloud-based software company Salesforce, hosting a pitch hack-a-thon and breakout sessions. And last year, dentsu facilitated workshops for 90 students with its own early-career program The Code.

“During a time when young people are facing unprecedented uncertainty in education and employment, we’re excited to partner with dentsu to expand career pathways that lead to sustained upward mobility,” said Jeffrey Artis, CEO of Genesys Works.  “Providing students, who lack traditional access to jobs, early exposure to the workplace broadens their economic opportunities and widens the talent pool for companies struggling to fill jobs.”  

“In the new digital economy, investing equitably in young leaders yields diverse perspectives and equity into corporate spaces. At Merkle, a dentsu company, we are dedicated to equity in our policies and procedures and inclusion via myriad voices and organizational culture. Equity is significant because it produces enduring transformation,” said Kirt Morris, Global Chief Equity Officer at Merkle. “Our partnership with Genesys Works is crucial to our mission of giving back to these young leaders in our communities.”

“Throughout the past 12 years, I have had the pleasure of partnering closely with Genesys Works and have seen first-hand how their young professionals bring enthusiasm and willingness to learn to organizations. It is a privilege for dentsu, a leading advertising and digital marketing agency, and our network of brands, to engage with Genesys Works students and provide them the opportunity to learn about the ever-evolving advertising industry and be exposed to the world-class brands that we work with,” said Elizabeth Rafferty, HR Lead, Americas at dentsu CXM service line. “dentsu’s partnership with Genesys Works demonstrates our commitment to building, educating, and creating opportunities for the rising youth in our communities.”

For nearly 20 years, Genesys Works has partnered with school systems and companies across the country to provide youth from historically excluded communities access to career pathways and build a pipeline of skilled talent to meet workforce demands across multiple sectors. 

About Genesys Works

Genesys Works provides pathways to career success for emerging young professionals from historically excluded communities starting their senior year in high school through skills training, meaningful work experiences, and impactful relationships. Our program consists of 8 weeks of technical and professional skills training, paid year-long internships with major companies, college and career coaching, and alumni support to and through acquiring professional credentials and/or college. Our goal is to build career opportunity and economic equity in every community so that all people, regardless of their race, gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, have equitable access to career opportunities leading to sustained economic mobility. Since its founding in 2002, Genesys Works has grown to serve thousands of students annually in Houston, Chicago, Minneapolis/St. Paul, the San Francisco Bay Area, Washington’s National Capital Region and New York City, and is looking to rapidly expand into 100 cities in the next ten years. To learn more, visit genesysworks.org.

About dentsu   

Part of the dentsu group, dentsu is made up of six leadership brands - Carat, dentsuX, iProspect, Isobar, dentsumcgarrybowen, Merkle and supported by its specialist brands. dentsu helps clients to win, keep and grow their best customers and achieve meaningful progress for their businesses. With best-in-class services and solutions in media, CXM, and creative, dentsu operates in over 145 markets worldwide with more than 45,000 dedicated specialists.