Media pathways
For people who like audiences, platforms, data, planning and understanding how attention moves.
What helps you stand out
Media agency roles are wide and varied, and people enter them with a broad range of tertiary qualifications.
However, if you've got experience with data analytics or technology, it's worth highlighting this, as there are specific roles that might suit you.
More broadly, media agencies are seeking curious minds, critical-thinking skills, and an aptitude for teamwork and creativity.
How you've spent your time outside study is also valuable. Perhaps you've demonstrated great organisational skills through university clubs, or built your own app to manage your uni schedule. Whatever it is, make sure you share your whole self in your CV, cover letter or video introduction when applying for a role.
Getting industry-ready
Familiarising yourself with the ins and outs of how media agencies work isn't essential, but it will certainly help you stand out from the crowd.
Do some research into media agencies, look at work recognised by the Beacon Awards, follow blogs, listen to podcasts and the like.
Start studying ads when you see them, asking yourself why that specific ad was placed where you saw it and who it was intended for.
Comms Council Graduate Talent Hub
A year-round pathway for graduates ready to start full-time work in advertising, media or PR.
You submit your CV and video introduction, Comms Council reviews your application, and approved candidates become visible to agencies hiring entry-level talent.
Other ways in...
Below you can find links to all Comms Council member agencies. They may advertise jobs or provide career info directly.
Check out their websites and identify the media agencies amongst them.
Advertising agencies looking for staff will often list vacancies on job boards like SEEK and Trade Me Jobs, as well as LinkedIn.
Get to know the different job titles so you can set alerts and be among the first to know when listings go live.
Sometimes, getting a foot in the door is all about networking. You never know who you might already know who could help by making an introduction or connecting you with someone they know.
Build your network, ask around and get comfortable with LinkedIn.
Research agencies before you apply
The agencies below are all Comms Council members. They are committed to the Comms Council’s Code of Ethics and can access the Comms Council Graduate Talent Hub when recruiting entry-level talent.
They may also recruit directly, so check out their websites, connect with them on social media, and learn more about them so you're ready to go if jobs become available.
Awe
Māori storytellers and connectors with relationships across Aotearoa.
Bad Magic
Bad Magic is creative agency built in partnership with Tracksuit brand tracking.
Bastion
Bastion Aotearoa is a New Zealand creative consultancy based in Auckland.
Bullseye Media
Award winning Independent Accredited Media Agency.
Crave
A purpose-driven creative agency built to give brands an unfair share of voice.
Colenso BBDO
One of the world's most creative agencies, who just happens to be based in Auckland.
Daylight
A technology & creative studio who collaborate with partners that have big ambitions.
dentsu Aotearoa
We are on a mission to help clients navigate, progress and thrive in a world of change.
Droga5
Droga builds and sustains the most influential brands of the 21st century.
EightyOne
Wellington’s largest independent creative agency.
Eleven PR
We create cultural impact for brands by taking ideas from ten to Eleven through PR, social, content, influencer, events and partnerships.
essencemediacom
A truly global network with 120 offices and over 10,000 people operating in 96 markets, we are a new type of agency that creates breakthroughs for brands.
Federation
Federation is a 100% NZ owned, independent agency.
FleishmanHillard Aotearoa
FleishmanHillard Aotearoa – formerly Mango Communications – is a full-service communications agency specialising in PR, influencers and experiential.
Hearts & Science
Hearts & Science is a marketing agency recoding media for emotional connection at scale. On the pulse of the industry.
Hemisphere
Aotearoa's own advertising, marketing and behaviour change agency. Ambidextrous thinking is what we do. Sometimes the best ideas happen away from our desks.
jnr.
jnr. is an effectiveness led, independent, trans-Tasman creative agency. Our name – jnr. – is inspired by the fresh thinking and curiosity of juniors.
Lassoo Media
It’s all about you, not us. We’re here to help you get everything you can out of the media to get you noticed every step of the way.
Māia
Welcome, brave one, to Aotearoa New Zealand’s home of kaupapa driven communications. Māia means brave. But it isn’t reckless bravery. It’s the bravery of Polynesian master navigators when they set sail for Aotearoa, and looked to the stars to guide the way.
MBM
Media strategy and planning with a strong focus on digital and social media.
McCann
The country’s largest end to end marketing services business. We believe in Truth Well Told.
Mediahub WW
At Mediahub, we drive technology to new heights and reject mindless automation. We challenge everything to create a better way. We’re Mediahub. MORE PILOT. LESS AUTO.
Mindshare
Mindshare are a global, multi-award winning, media agency network of 9300 people across 86 countries united by the desire to create new media experiences.
Motion Sickness
An independent, multi-award winning creative agency. We create work that actually works. Brand Storytelling. Advertising Campaigns. Photography. Film Production.
Niche Media
Niche Media is a full service advertising agency, providing specialist ethnic communication services, helping clients to get their messages and marketing communications into the “hard to reach” Asian, Maori and Pacific audiences.
OMD
We are dedicated to our clients’ growth. It starts with our unwavering commitment to deliver sharper insights, smarter ideas and stronger results.
One Plus One Communications
One Plus One is among New Zealand’s leading communications and engagement firms.
PHD
We are a growth-focused media agency driven by innovation and creativity.
Pitchblack Partners
An Aotearoa owned agency producing world-class work.
PR Partners
A uniquely creative modern PR agency focused on results. Highly experienced, proven performers who partner with clients, the media and each other to build brands and drive growth.
Publicis Media
Publicis Groupe is the third largest communications group in the world, a leader in marketing, communication and digital business transformation.
Quantum Jump
We use research, data insight, strategy and outstanding creative to help clients connect more effectively with their customers.
Rainmakers
Rainmakers is the media agency with a challenger mindset - built to drive human insight, media creativity and customer velocity. We unlock doors for brands brave enough to knock.
Saatchi & Saatchi
We are a culturally led creative company who believe Nothing Is Impossible.
Sneakers Media
Sneakers Media is a full-service media agency built to meet the needs of New Zealand businesses and to reflect the media habits of Kiwis.
Spark Foundry
Spark Foundry is a global media agency brand within Publicis Media.
Special Group
Special Group is New Zealand's leading independent creative company — using strategy, design, advertising, digital and innovation to grow brands.
Starcom
Starcom is a full service, fully accredited media agency, with a passionate team of communications and experience strategists, trading and investment specialists, and digital, SEO and SEM experts.
TBWA\
TBWA\ is The Disruption® Company: the cultural engine for 21st century business.
Thinkerbell
Thinkerbell represents the coming together of scientific enquiry and brilliant creativity, or as we like to call it, ‘Measured Magic’.
Together
New Zealand's leading independent media, data & technology agency.
Tracta
We grow agribrands for a changing world.
TRUE
We are an independent strategy, design and communications company.
Wavemaker
Wavemaker is reinventing media and creativity, by positively provoking growth for our global clients.
WPPMedia New Zealand
We are shaping the next era of media. Every day.
Yarn
We're a New Zealand indie creative agency with a hunger for creating work that gets people talking.
YoungShand
We help ambitious clients solve today’s toughest marketing challenges to deliver outstanding results. Strategy, Creative, Digital, Media.
Zenith
We blend data, technology and brilliant specialists to scout out new opportunities, solve complex challenges and grow our clients' businesses.