Yahoo Academy has announced its Class of 2024, a cohort of 30 emerging leaders selected from over 200 entries across Australia and Singapore.

The program, now in its 13th year, has produced 360 graduates to date, and continues to foster the next generation of digital media and marketing talent.

The 2024 cohort comprises individuals from major holding companies, independent agencies, and brand marketers. These selected participants will engage in a two-day immersive learning experience in Sydney on 14-15 May. The program includes workshops led by industry experts such as Rob Campbell (Colenso BBDO), Simone Gupta (Supermassive), Tim Sharp (GEN8), and Kathryn Williams (KMint).

The program culminates in a 'Pitch Off', where participants will tackle a real business problem for Australian charity, Musicians Making a Difference (MMAD). The winning team will be rewarded with a trip to a leading media and marketing conference in June, including flights, four nights’ accommodation, and conference tickets.

Participants must have between 1-7 years of experience in digital media, be currently working in a digital role within a media agency or marketing team, and have a passion for the digital media industry. A senior manager's endorsement was also required to secure a place in the final cohort.

"We’re proud of the Yahoo Academy and its impact over the last decade, providing a unique career development experience for many of today’s industry leaders. This year’s program has been designed to help delegates master a range of skills which will be essential in a more automated future workplace,” said John McNerney, Managing Director of Yahoo AUSEA.

Founder and Chief Digital Officer of Kaimera, Trent McMillan, was excited to see the fresh thinking and ideas delegates will bring back from the event.

"Yahoo Academy has proven to be an incredible platform for cultivating the next generation of agency leaders, something Kaimera is deeply committed to. Our ongoing engagement with the Academy has enabled our rising stars to access critical learning and networking opportunities," he said.

JCDecaux is another supporter. "Each year, the Yahoo Academy provides a foundational layer to continue to advance the future leaders of the media industry. JCDecaux is thrilled to have our nominees included in the 2024 program to build a deeper understanding of the omnichannel landscape, foster industry connections and develop their skills for future success," commented National Programmatic Director at JCDecaux Australia & New Zealand, Brad Palmer.

The 2024 class list: Jasmine Phua, Team Lead, CPXi Asia Tom Doran, Digital Media Coordinator, Endeavour Group Santiago Aristizabal, Performance Associate Manager, EssenceMediacom Judith Kottwitz, Client Dev Manager, Group M Nexus Shriya Tewari, Client Solutions Executive, Half Dome Connor Dempsey, Investment Manager, Initiative Tate Boden, Associate Digital Director, Initiative Alexandra Whitehouse, Senior Programmatic Manager, iProspect Daniel Caruso, Senior Programmatic Account Manager, JCDecaux Australia Daniel Miller, Senior Platforms Manager, Kaimera Luke Pritchard, Addressable Manager, Kinesso James Hill, Addressable Account Director, Kinesso / IPG Navzeeth Bijayananda, Associate Director - Performance, Mindshare Marcus Billingham-Yuen, Client Strategy Manager, News Corp Australia Shelby Healey, Account Director, OMD Sophie Cole, Senior Account Manager, OMD James Porteous, Digital Director, OMD WA Arunima Sharma, Digital Manager, PHD Media Angelica Frago, Digital Manager, Publicis Benjamin Smith, Senior Digital Trader, Qantas Loyalty Mike Tekeu, Senior Programmatic Trader, Slingshot Media Charlotte Delay, Senior Exec, Spark Foundry Kati Wilmer, Associate Digital Director, Spark Foundry Amirah Mokhtar, Digital Manager, Starcom Peter Tait, Client Planner, The Speed Agency Xuan Vo, Senior Account Manager, Them Advertising Cara Thomson, Planning Manager, UM Liam Wilson, Strategist, UM Australia Kate Hughes, Digital Manager, Zenith Matt Taylor, Digital Executive, Zenith Media Brisbane