Draftfcb+Ulka's Star One: Building a culture that creates leaders

On the back of some new client wins and growth in existing businesses, Draftfcb+Ulka continued its annual recruitment by bringing on board trainees from some of the premier Management, Communication, Art and Design Schools in the country through their Star One programme. The Agency conducts a rigorous on-campus selection procedure to get the best talent from these institutes.

Star One is the advertising industry’s most comprehensive entry level training programme. Draftfcb+Ulka completes 23 glorious years of Star One.

The trainees are put through an intensive two-month training of which the first month is classroom sessions conducted by senior managers from the company. The course includes a visit to a film studio and a printing press and guest lectures by noted personalities from the industry. They then do a month-long sales training with client’s to understand the ground realities of sales. The training programme ends with the trainees making presentations to the senior management on their learnings. The ‘annual graduation ritual’ is complete with a grand party to celebrate the start of their advertising careers!

More than thirty people graduate from Star One every year, and get deployed to Draftfcb+Ulka’s offices across the country. Today, a large proportion of the talent in the Company is from Star One. Many of them have grown into senior leadership roles and are today spearheading the Agency’s key businesses.

Anita Gokral, Vice President, Draftfcb+Ulka was a part of the Star One 1995 batch Sharing her own experience of Star One programme she said, “Star One guided me into the organisation’s culture, its approach to the business and exigencies of the real world. One could have picked this up on the job but the program gives you space to absorb, appreciate and develop a perspective without getting overbearing. It puts forward the Agency’s confidence and commitment which are critical to managing enthusiasm and morale in the initial years.”

Savita Mathai, Sr. Vice President– HR, Draftfcb+Ulka said “The fact that this programme has been running consistently for 23 years now is testimony to the Agency’s commitment to growing and nurturing talent. For us it is not just about talent acquisition; it is about creating a culture that grows leaders”.

Nitin Karkare, COO, Mumbai, Draftfcb+Ulka said” Star One is not just about talent. It is about nurturing a culture and a value system which is unique to this agency. We are delighted that the program is now in its 23rd year and growing from strength to strength”