Emerging talent joins First Five Rungs

AUCKLAND, Today: Ayaan Shaikh (OMD), Lily Tootill (MBM), Leo Shum (Dentsu) and Lydia Sleeman-Bailey (The Monkeys) have joined the now 12-strong First Five Rungs Auckland team, working to connect with and support emerging talent in the communications industry.

First Five Rungs Auckland chair Zoë MacDonald-Mair said: “The appointments come from a variety of perspectives within the industry, all with different experiences and expertise, bringing invaluable insight to the committee as it begins its 2024 planning.

“We’ve been rapidly building on our committee pillars in the last year, and while we’ve achieved much, the job to support those new to our industry is one that still has much to do. I’m thrilled to see the difference we can make with fresh new perspectives on the FFR committee.”

Comms Council ceo Simon Lendrum said: “We’re very proud of the work that the First Five Rungs continues to do and welcome the new members with experience from media buying, strategy and activation.”

MacDonald-Mair: “2023 was a pivotal year for FFR, maintaining the momentum with our events, as well as launching the FFR Shadow Judging initiative, we’ve been focused on creating more opportunities for industry newcomers.

“We’re very proud of the work that the First Five Rungs continues to do and welcome the new members.”

“Whether that’s networking, providing encouragement or offering professional guidance. The more the First Five Rungs does, the more we see we can achieve. We have a strong sense of purpose, aided by our research backed initiatives, to drive us forward into the new year.

The new team join existing members Zoë MacDonald-Mair, chair (Quantum Jump), Chelsea Bostock, deputy chair (DDB), Courtney Spillane, Secretary (Special), Guy Perry (FCB), Lucciane Surtees (Dentsu), Grace Chittock (Spark Foundry) Ben Kidd (DDB) and Andrew Eiseman (Dentsu).

The Auckland First Five Rungs works in conjunction with the FFR in the Capital – Aroha Gell, chair (VMLY&R), Tayler Gover, deputy chair (OMD), Callum Doyle, secretary (VMLY&R), Thomasina Ferrall (MBM), Kayleigh Besseling (MBM) and Tylah Kiriona-Mckenzie (Clemenger BBDO).

About the First Five Rungs committee
First Five Rungs are a group of young professionals from Comms Council member agencies.

Our mission is to connect with the industry’s new talent, providing mentoring, support, guidance and inspiration during their formative years – the first five rungs of their communications careers.

Our purpose is to inspire confidence in young talent that, in turn, will encourage others to have confidence in themselves. That’s why we work to show the value of fresh thinking, develop a community of knowledge and nurture new skills and abilities.

• commscouncil.nz/first-five-rungs