“Everyone has their own story about how they got into media…”
We recently opened our doors again to three young people eager to break into the media world, not just to show them what we do, but to give them a wider view of the industry through the support of our partners and friends.
This year, alongside our DMS Champion Cyprian, we welcomed Eamonn, Steven and Janaiya onto a six-month internship designed to give them hands-on experience across different media environments. With the help of our industry network, they have been able to step beyond DMS, spend time inside other businesses, and gain a real understanding of the many paths that exist in our broad and fast-moving industry.
Their experiences speak for themselves.
Eamonn Manderson & Cyprian Nelson
Eamonn Manderson, Intern
My journey isn’t only physical. I am pushing myself professionally too, stepping into the media world with a 6-month internship with Diversity Media Sales that’s already sharpening my mindset, skills, and confidence. I’m not just learning the industry, I’m learning who I am within it, what I’m capable of, and how far I can go.
During my first two months with Diversity Media Sales, I’ve learnt so much and met a lot of inspiring people in such a short space of time. Everyone has their own story about how they got into media; some stumbled into it, while others took the long road through education. Hearing those journeys helped me understand that some roads are simply meant to be. The whole team at Diversity has been really helpful and understanding as I settle in as a new face.
Last month, DMS arranged for me to do some work experience with GTN, giving me the chance to see how another part of the media industry works. GTN (Global Traffic Network) focuses mainly on radio and travel advertising. The kind of ads you hear on the move, in the car. They offer free placements for anyone wanting to learn more about the media advertising industry, and my time there gave me real insight into their world. I got to meet the team, understand how they work together, and see how they collaborate with other brands and agencies. It really reminded me that without teamwork, nothing is possible, and that every client relationship is different. It’s about the importance of a relationship, not just the relationship itself.
While at GTN, I had the chance to meet multiple clients, sit in on lunch meetings with both new and current agencies, and even attend the Media Mind quiz night. That experience let me talk to so many different agencies, hear their stories, and share my own. My communication and client-facing skills felt strong, especially when I had to present a story about myself; opening up and speaking confidently felt natural to me.
Overall, these experiences are helping me grow not just professionally but personally. I’m learning, connecting, and discovering what I want my future in media to look like.
Cyprian Nelson, Business Executive
I've just reached my two-year anniversary at DMS, which has been a big milestone for me. Working alongside the company has been life-changing. They've given me so many opportunities to prosper within the industry.
Last month, DMS arranged for me to spend a week at GTN ( Global Traffic Network), giving me the opportunity to learn and see how other companies operate and bring revenue in. GTN mainly focuses on radio, traffic and travel (the adverts you hear when you're in a car - or on the move). They have similar operations in Canada, Brazil and Australia, but they are the biggest. I was introduced to the team, who were very helpful in helping me settle in and get to grips with things. I was also shown how they collaborate with other brands and agencies. They showed me that without teamwork, dedication and perseverance, nothing would be possible. During my final days at GTN, I had the chance to visit OMD with Dina who I learnt so much from In a short amount of time. She taught me that having good relationships with clients brings in more revenue, and you don't always need to talk about business. Ask questions that will spark long conversations.
Sharing my story on how I got to the media world was also a big moment for me. It's not the usual pathway that people take into media, but sharing this with the GTN team and their clients felt good. I felt like they respected my journey and felt inspired by it. I learned that everyone has their own unique story, and their success is decided by how they use the opportunities offered to them, much like myself.
I really enjoyed my time at GTN. I am thankful for the time they invested in me and helped me gain deeper knowledge in other aspects of media. I'm looking forward to having more experience in other media companies. This will boost my profile and propel me to have a better future.
If you’re an industry partner and would like to offer a week or two of work experience to our interns, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch to find out how you can help open doors for the next generation of media talent.