Dentsu Creative has launched DC3, a new graduate program designed to help reshape how talent enters the creative industry. The program, commencing in May through to December, will develop the next generation of creative talent across Australia.
DC3 reflects a clear belief: you can’t grow with the status quo.
As creativity, media, experience, data and technology continue to converge, the industry needs new kind of talent. People who are connected, curious, and ready to create impact from day one. The program offers participants the opportunity to experience the inner workings of a fully integrated agency. Through rotations across strategy, client leadership, and earned and social, they will learn how modern ideas are shaped, from identifying a problem, to uncovering an insight, to creating experiences that influence behaviour and earn attention in culture.
While graduate programs are nothing new, investment at this level has slowed across the industry. Entry-level roles have reduced, and traditional pathways into agencies are becoming less defined as AI reshapes how work gets done. DC3 has been designed as a direct response.
Chief Practice Officer David Halter stated, “Graduate programs aren’t new or groundbreaking. But investment in that level of talent has clearly stalled. Almost all of our leadership team came through some form of graduate program. It’s close to our hearts because we’ve lived it. Graham and I got a start through the ACA, Zac excelled at AWARD School, Maddie won a place at Clemenger Group, and Sloaney started in the George Patterson mailroom. Those programs gave us our start.
“As parts of the industry become more commoditised, it’s easy to cut investment at the emerging level. We think that’s exactly the wrong move. DC3 is about resetting that. It’s a structured program, built for how modern creativity actually works.”
Madeleine Page, general manager, earned and social, added, “This isn’t a one-way learning model. The next wave of talent won’t just learn from us, they’ll teach us too. We’re looking for people who are fluent in content and instinctive in how new technologies are used. With AI changing how we create and scale ideas, those instincts are becoming fundamental to modern creativity.
“We hear every week how hard it is to break into this industry. DC3 is about opening that door, but also raising the bar.”
DC3 is open to a broad range of backgrounds and experiences. The agency is looking for people who think differently, bring new perspectives, and see creativity in all its forms.
By the end of the program, participants will have a broad understanding of modern creativity and a strong foundation for wherever they choose to take their career.
Applications are open. Visit LinkedIn for details.
