ICCO launches Next Gen Group and Board

The International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) has launched the Next Gen Group, which will be led by the ICCO Next Gen Board. The remit of the group is to input young professionals’ perspectives into the ICCO Board of Management, as well as lead on projects relating to talent retention and recruitment.

The ICCO Next Gen Group is founded by the finalists of the ICCO Next-Gen PR World Cup, national association Next Gen Chairs and other industry leaders under the age of 35.

The Next Gen Board is co-chaired by Oeindrila Biswas, Senior Account Director, AvianWE, who won the India 2022 World Cup competition; and Morten Haldrup, Advisor at Advice A/S , who won Gold for Team Denmark in the 2022 global competition. The board members, coming from different parts of the world, are Fiona Baird (UK, BCW), Zena Afara (UAE, Instinctif Partners), Cherna Lutta (South Africa, Dialogue) and Guilia Polichetti (Italy, Omnicom).

Morten Haldrup, ICCO Next Gen Co-Chair said:

„Our industry is high-paced in nature, which can be both incredibly motivating, but also equally demanding. That can make it hard for agencies to connect with younger generations who have different priorities, perspectives, and personal values when it comes to their career and workplace ­– says. - As part of the board, I hope to contribute to bridging that generational gap, so the industry can remain an attractive career path and aspiring communication professionals can see that fast-paced doesn’t have to mean out of breath”.

Oeindrila Biswas, ICCO Next Gen Co-Chair said:

„It has been an extremely exciting opportunity to be elected as the co-chair. This board has the right minds representing different geographies - and the next one year will be used in optimally exchanging learnings and challenges from each market to come with global solutions catered to young professionals. I am excited to bring to the table the right intent and dedication towards young and positive solutions!”

The group’s first face to face meeting took place alongside the ICCO Board of Management’s meeting in Warsaw this month.

Rob Morbin, Executive Director, ICCO said:

„For a number of years, agency leaders from around the world have identified attracting and retaining talent as a top priority. Our world report data affirms this every year too. We often talk about what young professionals think or want but now, with ICCO’s Next Gen Board, there is a direct input from young professionals into all aspects of ICCO strategy, projects, and industry priorities.”

Having launched the Global PR Youth Board in 2022, the Next Gen Group and Board takes this concept one stage further. This year’s edition of the ICCO Next-Gen PR World Cup takes place in the first week of November, followed by ICCO University PR World Cup later in the month in partnership with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).