Dentsu Webchutney launches Ad Fellows Returnship Programme to bring Moms back to Work

By: WE Staff | Thursday, 3 June 2021

Dentsu Webchutney, Dentsu India's digital-led creative agency, has launched a new talent development programme called The Ad Fellows Returnship. It is a 30-day back-to-work programme for moms developed in collaboration with Indian Creative Women, an independent forum dedicated to increasing diversity in creative teams throughout the Indian advertising and design industry.

The virtual learning programme will begin on July 1, 2021, and applications will be accepted from June 1 to June 10, 2021.

Dentsu Webchutney's ad fellows outreach is a way for Dentsu Webchutney to open up roles in advertising for people who might not otherwise think they can make it in the industry.

The programme is now open to creative moms who have previously worked in the industry and are looking for a way to make a comeback. Those chosen will go through a month-long training programme to ease them back into the field.

Throughout the month, they will be paired with creative specialists from Dentsu Webchutney and the Indian Creative Women network to provide them with the skills they need to return to the industry.

Given the changing nature of marketing services, the agency has collaborated with Indian Creative Women to develop a new syllabus for the programme, as well as teaching techniques, with modules on confidence building and digital creativity. The programme is completely free, and those interested can apply using the form found here.

Dentsu Webchutney team said, “We believe in the power of perspectives to make ideas stronger. Diversity in talent will always lead to more diverse work and following up on our success in making advertising open for everyone from Gen Z to internet obsessives, to people in other industries, we’re excited to take this next step and welcome moms to Dentsu Webchutney. The program has been chartered by a passionate woman-strong team that believes more mothers need to put their lived experiences on the table. We’ve certainly got a long way to go ourselves but we’re very proud to partner with Indian Creative Women and take this much overdue step forward.”

The team of Indian Creative Women added, “Women face several systemic and structural challenges that get in the way of them growing into senior leadership roles. Our industry isn’t doing enough to retain them, specifically mothers. A woman is still blamed if she quits the industry after becoming a mother. There’s simply no organizational support for her to succeed. Dentsu Webchutney’s The Ad Fellows Returnship is a small step in the right direction and should be a great example of what other agencies can follow. This program is hugely influenced by Harshada Thakurdesai, a creative mom and Group Creative Director from Team Indian Creative Women.”