In response to COVID-19 virus disruptions, VMLY&R has introduced a remote learning opportunity inviting college students to continue their education through a 10-week masterclass series--called Nexus--focusing on areas such as brand marketing, strategic planning, customer experience, social media strategy and more. Nexus will launch in June, replacing the U.S. in-office internship program which VMLY&R suspended for 2020 due to the pandemic.

“While we will be unable to host in-office internships this year, we want to offer value and continual learning for this group of emerging talent. We’re so excited to introduce VMLY&R’s Nexus masterclass and welcome these students to learn and, someday, join our organization,” said Ronnie Felder, chief people officer of VMLY&R. “Being virtual has long been a part of our business--and in our new COVID-19 reality, we’re thrilled to be able to give back to our student ad community in a new way.”

The masterclass series will consist of 10 exclusive seminars hosted by VMLY&R global leadership and capability leads. VMLY&R Nexus will not only help students build direct links to the agency’s global leadership, service offerings and culture, but will also provide a current and real-time perspective of agency dynamics, strategic challenges and client successes in building connected brands.

Each session will be 90-minutes, including group discussion and Q&A. Speaker highlights include:

• Jon Cook, global CEO – “Building and Growing a Global Agency”
• Beth Wade, global CMO and Shali Wade, chief of staff – “Connected Cultures and Branding at VMLY&R”
• Debbi Vandeven, global creative officer – “Creating Work That Transforms Business”
• Sessions will also include VMLY&R agency leaders from across the global network including real-time COVID-19 insights from offices in China and Italy.

“One of the benefits of this format is we are able to expand a traditionally U.S. only program into one that encompasses views and content from across the globe,” added Felder.

VMLY&R Nexus will be open to 50 participants. Student participants are being selected from those who applied to VMLY&R’s original summer internship program earlier this year. With a focus on helping students connect professionally, socially and emotionally while being remote, the program will include: personalized mentor matches to agency leadership, optional resume and portfolio reviews, access to the VMLY&R Nexus alumni network for ongoing professional development, access to VMLY&R’s suite of virtual culture activations (weekly yoga classes, bootcamp fitness classes, live DJ parties, and more). Participants will also be eligible for a position in the agency’s in-office summer 2021 internship program.

Upon completion of VMLY&R Nexus, interns will be provided with a letter of accreditation and social badge for use in their portfolios, resumes and LinkedIn profiles. The program provides participants with the resources, education and experiences to excel academically and to kickstart career pursuits.