Opening doors to creative careers: the Turning Pro mission 

When we rebranded at the start of 2024, Publicis Pro set out to define a new company-wide purpose that we could throw our energy behind – something we cared deeply about and could actually impact. Through a series of internal workshops, one cause emerged as our clear priority: improving access to creative industries. It’s no secret that marketing and creative careers are often out of reach for many young people; marketing has a persistent problem with socio-economic diversity. We wanted to do something to address that. 

But we knew we’d need the right partner to do it – which is where The Talent Foundry came in. Their mission of empowering students with practical skills and career opportunities aligned perfectly with our vision. Together, we co-created and branded a new initiative: Turning Pro.

What is Turning Pro?

Turning Pro is all about giving Year 12 and 13 students an inside look at life in a creative marketing agency. Designed as a series of in-school workshops, the programme immerses students in the experience of crafting and pitching marketing campaigns. From tackling a client brief to presenting ideas to industry professionals, the workshop provides hands-on learning while showcasing the many career paths marketing has to offer.

Here’s what some of the Pub Pro gang who attended our first workshop had to say about the experience.

Watching the students present their ideas was a highlight for me. Every single one of them had to stand up in front of their classmates and strangers – and they all delivered. It was especially impressive how naturally they incorporated technology and AI into their pitches, using tools like ChatGPT and image-generation software to create visuals that elevated their presentations. Some of the ideas were surprisingly strong, and you could see the natural marketers emerge – their confidence, energy, and passion really stood out.
Giles Shorthouse, Head of Business Development

The final pitches were so much fun to watch, especially after seeing how far the students progressed throughout the day. At first, many of them seemed indifferent, but as the sessions went on, their creativity and collaboration took off. Some of their concepts were incredibly inventive, and I was blown away by their familiarity with tools like AI. It was a joy to see their ideas come to life and their enthusiasm build.
Aditi Kulkarni, Creative Artworker

Talking to the students during the brainstorming sessions and seeing how their ideas developed was fascinating, but the real highlight for me was the final pitches. What struck me was how few students initially considered themselves “creative.” When we asked them to split into groups, only two joined the creative team, but by the end of the day, many had proven just how creative they could be. This revealed a big knowledge gap about what creative roles actually involve; it’s not just about drawing or making things look nice. It was rewarding to help change their perceptions and show them how varied and accessible creative careers can be.
Martha Macri, Mid-Weight Designer

The entire day was such a fulfilling experience, but the transformation in the students’ engagement stood out most. At the start, there was a lot of hesitation, but by the end, they were diving into discussions, sharing ideas, and presenting with confidence. It was amazing to see how much they opened up as the day progressed. It was also a reminder of how much energy it takes to keep a room engaged, but seeing their growth and excitement made it all worth it.
Lily Slater, Account Manager

The bigger picture of Turning Pro 

With only 22% of marketers coming from working-class backgrounds, the industry has a long way to go to become more inclusive and representative. By working with The Talent Foundry, we’re reaching students who might not otherwise have access to opportunities like this, creating a more equitable path into the creative industries.

But this isn’t just about introducing students to marketing: it’s about igniting curiosity, building confidence, and showing them how diverse and exciting this career field can be. Whether they’re drawn to creative roles, strategy, client management, media, or data, Turning Pro can set them off on the right path. 

The Pub Pro brand mission is all about telling extraordinary stories for our clients. Now, we’re hoping to help the next generation begin writing their own.