Schibsted Talent Program brings together 12 new agency talents – Max is one of them!

Schibsted has, for the second year in a row, gathered 12 talented individuals from various media agencies for its Talent Program. The program aims to strengthen expertise in media innovation and future media solutions, with participants carefully selected in collaboration with agency leadership.

– Collaboration with media agencies is a central and important part of our work, says Nicolai Kjølner, Head of Agency Relations at Schibsted Media.

The program lasts for one year and includes several sessions focused on media innovation and Norwegian solutions. Schibsted draws on its extensive experience and resources, with leaders such as Trine Eilertsen, Siv Tveitnes, and Christian Haneborg playing a key role in the execution of the program.

Like Charlie at the Chocolate Factory

Among this year’s participants is Max Næss from EssenceMediacom, who was selected by CEO Jan Berthrand Danielsen.

– It was very nice to be chosen, and I take it as a compliment and a vote of confidence from the agency leadership. I had heard great things about the program from my colleague Karl Oskar Berg Myran, who participated last year and praised how good it was, he says.

The first session focused heavily on Schibsted’s role in the Norwegian media landscape and its societal mission.
– For someone who is very socially engaged, it has been incredibly exciting to gain insight into how editorial teams and journalists work and think. A bit like Charlie at the Chocolate Factory – without taking the metaphor too far, Max explains.

Professional Discussions and Collaboration

The program provides participants with a unique opportunity to collaborate with other young talents from various agencies.
– I love discussing the profession, and it has been very fun to engage in good discussions and exciting tasks together with some of the sharpest minds in the industry. The fact that everyone is relatively young makes it an ambitious and fearless group, and you get many different perspectives. In our industry, there’s rarely one solution with two lines under the answer, Max says.

He is also impressed with how structured and well-executed the program has been so far:
– I had high expectations, of course, but was still surprised by how professional and packed the program is. Everything is in place for a rich and educational year.

Looking Forward to Further Development

Max already sees how the experiences from the program will impact his career going forward:
– We receive a lot of professional input and new perspectives that will be useful for the future. The next session focuses on career and leadership development, which I think will be very beneficial. Additionally, it’s great to build networks and relationships with other talented individuals who will help shape the industry’s development in the years to come.

Challenges and Opportunities for the Industry
Participants are also aware of the challenges facing the media industry:
– Norwegian editor-driven media faces a challenging time transitioning to digital distribution models and new revenue streams. Competition from international technology platforms is strong, so it’s crucial to develop attractive products and services that Norwegian consumers gravitate toward. There are many new opportunities in audio and video combined with good local content and strong user experiences, Max explains.

Strengthening Collaboration Between Agencies and Media Houses

– It gives us an even better understanding of the opportunities the Schibsted universe offers and lowers the threshold for how we can utilize their platforms in a way that consumers perceive positively. At the same time, Schibsted can learn from agencies when it comes to setting up purchasing platforms and systems that compete with the user-friendliness of major social media channels, Max continues.

As for advice for future participants, the message is clear:
– Enjoy the ride with both hands in the air! Don’t hesitate to be engaged and curious. It’s not every day you have the opportunity to pepper people like Anders Giæver, Trine Eilertsen, and other industry professionals with tons of experience with questions, Max says.

Focus on Trust and Industry Understanding

The program has also contributed to a greater understanding of the importance of trust:
– We had some great discussions about the concept of trust – an increasingly important factor for brands, media, and society in general. Trust is a key to creating long-term relationships and results, Max concludes.

Facts About Schibsted Talent Program

The program lasts for one year and includes several sessions focused on media innovation and future media solutions. Participants are selected based on three main criteria:
• Young individuals with a passion for the media industry and future media solutions
• Creativity and the ability to solve complex challenges
• Strong collaboration skills and a solid position within the agency

– Agencies possess specialized expertise and have a unique understanding of how the media market is evolving. They have their finger on the pulse and are often part of networks where trends and new opportunities emerge. We want to connect more closely with this as we, as a media company, develop a new strategy and work on product innovation and new areas of focus, says Kjølner.

– We believe that good solutions will emerge that benefit our customers, while promoting Norwegian media solutions creates a win-win situation for the value that editor-driven media represents in society, Kjølner concludes.

Back row from left: Andrea Røssland Skaar og Martin Rigan 
Middle row from left: Anine Namork, Felicia Alvsing, André Skoog, Julie Becklund, Fabian Bjørne-Larsen og Josefine Johansen 
Front row from left: Martin K. Larsen, Filip Buberg, Bettina Laborg, Max Allum Næss, Karoline Hjelmeland, Andrea Unaas og Marie Michalsen