Every year we as Publicis Groupe Africa opens our applications to newly graduate students to apply to be part of their internship program, Le Cubs.  During the 12 month internship program, interns will be coached, receive on the job training, complete a formal qualification recognised by SETA and work with real clients.  Our aim is not to complete the program, but to do so successfully, support interns with their career growth and work on job readiness.

As an Intern/Account Assistant at MSL, your goal is to learn and become an expert on all PR processes and administration tasks for the smooth running of the account portfolio. Key focus areas are effective time keeping (via Chase), assistance with general team administration (e.g. meeting notes), coverage tracking and reporting.

Core capabilities

• Media lists: Keep media lists updated, inform agency colleagues of media moves/changes, and compile tailored media lists per client content piece, while maintaining an updated master media list for each client in your team.
• Media relations: Build a solid knowledge of the South African media landscape, and start making and keeping media contacts.
• Pitching skills: Grow in ability and confidence to pitch stories and find creative angles that resonate with journalists.
• Writing: Develop basic writing skills, especially (but not limited to) email communication and media pitches.
• Research: Demonstrate basic research skills, and assimilation and presentation of information.
• MSL Newsdesk: Participate in daily newsdesk/media meetings, taking notes when asked.
• Computer skills: Strong proficiency in all Microsoft Office packages including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook (or other company-preferred applications), taking Marcel Classes to become an advanced user of these programmes.

Personal attributes

• Taking initiative: Demonstrate consistent, proactive, positive contribution at all times, as well as a self-starter approach to your work.
• Proactive upskilling: Demonstrate efforts to understand content for all clients (even beyond your portfolio), your client’s industry, staying abreast of the broader news environment, and spotting opportunities for media conversation building.
• Communication skills: Develop and continuously improve face-to-face, telephonic and email etiquette (internally and externally).
• Time management: Effectively use and manage your own time to meet deadlines, always informing your team if you are falling behind on a task before it is due.
• Prioritisation: Start to build an ability to prioritise tasks.
• Detail-orientated: Work to become a stickler for unwavering attention to detail in all aspects, including documents, presentations, emails and all other communiques.
• Quality: Consistently strive to deliver quality work to professional, MSL standards.
• Proactive learning: Demonstrate use of the Marcel Classes portal and other internal training sessions to upskill yourself, taking initiative and responsibility for your learning journey.
• Respect: Acknowledge and respond to instructions from senior staff as soon as possible (email, instant message or spoken).