Training ad agency account execs

Having herself been in the advertising agency industry for over 20 years, Lintott knows what makes an exceptional account executive, but also knows how many AE are not adequately trained or prepared for the major role that they play. Many larger agencies also struggle to find the time to train their AE adequately - day to day pressures and deadlines always seem to take priority.

The company has recently completed various training facilitations at Grey South Africa, based in Bryanston. Kathleen Fischer, human resources manager at Grey SA, says that the training company analysed the unique needs of the agency and designed the training around the specific needs which they had identified.

"Together we identified gaps and modules were designed around those specific shortfalls. They were fantastic. There is nothing out there like it," says Fischer.

'The Core of Client Service'

The specific areas included 'The Core of Client Service', an in-depth understanding of all the disciplines of an agency and how best to optimise the role and skills of the AE, as well as a focused workshop based programme on getting the best briefs.

"The combination of theory and the practical workshop sessions has proven particularly effective, as the candidates have the opportunity to put the training into practice and receive ongoing feedback," adds Lintott.

The company also offers 'live' brief training, where a training programme is developed to rollout in conjunction with a project from the actual briefing itself all the way through to final production. This not only ensures that the brief is well executed, but also that employees are taught throughout the process.

For more, go to www.agencywise.co.za.