Aotearoa Independent Media Agencies (AIMA) Up Next Advisory Board is the next step in a
broader early-career strategy across its agency and partner community.
Up Next was created around a simple idea: the future of the industry depends not only on how businesses adapt, but on how the people coming through it are supported.
Built around three priorities - development, connection and voice - the programme combines
practical training, opportunities to build relationships across the industry, and a direct way for
early-career insights to shape what’s up next.
Congratulations to AIMA’s inaugural Up Next Advisory Board:
• Caleb Chan, Senior Planning Executive, Together
• Grace Clemas, Agency Account Executive, LUMO
• Grace Masseurs, Business Manager, TVNZ
• Isabelle Managh, Account Manager, Thompson Spencer
Sheryl Dunlop, Marketing Lead at AIMA, says an important foundation of Up Next is creating a
strong early-career community across independent agencies and the partners that support
them.
“Up Next creates a chance for people at a similar stage in their careers to meet, learn from each
other and build connections beyond their own workplace. The way people connect through
mahi has changed, so there’s real value in creating those relationships intentionally now.”
The direction for Up Next took shape after AIMA’s first early-career gathering in March. Simon
Teagle, CEO at AIMA, saw a clear appetite for more connection and development, which gave
AIMA a better understanding of where support could make the biggest difference.
The cohort wasn’t asking for more technical training. They wanted support with the human side
of work - confidence, communication and navigating challenging conversations.
Sometimes timing is everything. As Ben Dufty launched Injctr – enabling growth through
scalable operating models - Teagle brought Dufty in to run Up Next.
Dufty says the approach is simple: listen to the cohort, be there to support, and build from
there. “The first training session came directly from what people told us they needed. The Advisory
Board means that conversation can continue."
“This advisory board has a genuine role in shaping Up Next and helps AIMA stay close to the
challenges, ideas and opportunities they’re seeing across the industry.”
As part of Up Next, AIMA will pilot a mentoring programme, matching the advisory board with
senior industry professionals from across the AIMA community. The pilot will help shape how
the mentoring programme develops, with a view to expanding it in 2027.
Teagle says “Independent agencies have always been good at backing people, delivering fresh
thinking, and being agile.
“Up Next brings that same mindset to the next generation - investing in their development,
building stronger connections across our community and making sure their perspective is part
of where the industry goes next.”
Up Next will continue to grow through training, industry connection and opportunities for early-career across AIMA’s agency and partner community.
