Member News
Newcastle-based creative firm O.agency has expanded its popular GrOw initiative in its 20th year with the launch of a mentoring project for emerging creative talent.
GrOw aims to connect students with creative industry professionals to nurture youth talent and strengthen the region’s creative pipeline. For several years it has taken O.agency’s team of creative designers, video production, marketing and PR experts out ‘On The Road’ to schools, colleges and universities to share career talks and welcomed emerging talent at its ‘Open House’ days.
In its 20th year, every member of the O.agency team is now also offering 20 hours to make a difference to a young person by sharing knowledge and skills to help them see what roles are available in the creative industry, build a network and get real-world experience.
Staff at every level of the business have been actively involved in sharing their expertise through workshops, lectures, and creative skills sessions and supporting final-year students with dissertation briefs and business connection projects, contributing to curriculum design for 2026 and creating opportunities for autistic young people through specialist charity partnerships.
In addition, the GrOw programme has helped create real-world career pathways by hosting five work experience placements across school, college, and degree levels, delivering an NE1 Programme for Wallsend School, hosting 15 career coffees with aspiring creatives to offer portfolio and CV creation and hosting four Northumbria University students for a week-long creative bootcamp this September.
O.agency has also introduced the scheme to its clients, and partnered with local industry to secure three apprenticeships in manufacturing and professional services and created work experience opportunities for NCG students across multiple events, from music performances to social media roles with Business Beats Cancer North East.
Kirsty Ostell, Managing Director of O.agency, said: “The GrOw Programme is woven into the DNA of O.agency. For 20 years, we’ve been committed to making the creative industry more accessible, practical, and inspiring for young people. The achievements of this year so far are a testament to the passion of our team, the ambition of the students, and the power of collaboration between business and education.”
