Brixton Finishing School has added its efforts to the lack of diversity in advertising. It has launched a free online advertising course with a campaign by Mother London that entices young people with a smart dash of wit.

The campaign shows how the little things people do every day are actually tangible skills and talents that could land one a job in the industry. It also demystifies the variety of careers the industry offers for a young audience, from creative and strategists to social media experts. 

The campaign is running across donated media in local and national press, OOH, digital and social.

“Our industry is opening its eyes to the lack of social diversity. Recruitment is only half the job, we still need to attract young talent, many of whom don’t even know our industry exists. This campaign talks to that emerging talent about jobs they’ve never heard of, in a language they understand, to shine a light on their untapped career potential – with modern colloquialisms and online behaviours used to define roles that’s both relatable and thought-provoking,” stated Oli Rimoldi & Anthony Montagne, creative directors at Mother.

The AD-Cademy is led by industry experts from all disciplines and it aims to boost the intake of young people from anywhere in the UK by inspiring and helping to pursue jobs in the creative, digital and tech industries, no matter their background.

Partners include Mail Metro Media, which has donated cover wraps and digital inventory; Clear Channel, which has donated national OOH advertising, including through its Storm portfolio of super-premium digital screens in cities like Manchester, Glasgow and London; Brand Advance, which donated £50k worth of  inventory across its media diversity network and lent expertise; Refinery29, part of the Vice Media Group, has provided an inventory donation and Wilderness Agency is offering social campaign support. 

Ally Owen, founder of Brixton Finishing School, commented, “The AD-Cademy is a game-changing moment for the rebalancing of the future talent pipeline at scale. Young people in Liverpool, Burnley, Manchester, Glasgow, Hull and all across the country will have access to amazing teachings from some of the stars of the creative and media industries. The AD-Cademy will be an awesome self-serve learning platform of lectures, as well as showcases and events that will enrich young people’s knowledge of the advertising industry. I am extremely grateful to all of the partners who have helped make this launch happen, from the wonderful brand work from the team at Mother to the inventory donations and campaign support from the likes of Mail Metro Media, Clear Channel, Brand Advance and Wilderness- it shows just how powerful we can be as an industry if we all come together.”