WHAT WE DO
Haines McGregor is a proudly independent Brand & Innovation Agency.
We combine strategic thinking with vibrant creativity to create Richer Brands… brands that reflect the richness of the world and the people in it.
HMc specialises in the FMCG sector, with a focus on food & drink, working closely with a select group of major, forward-thinking companies including Carlsberg, Diageo, and Arla, to shape some of the worlds biggest brands.
Our work is varied, but can be grouped into three types of projects…
1 | Brand Positioning
This means defining and designing the brand’s offering and image to occupy a distinctive place in the mind of their target. We combine conceptual thinking with standout design to give brands a clear and competitive point of view, with creative guidance across an array of real-world touchpoints, delivered to our clients in impactful digital toolkits and brand bibles.
2 | Innovation
This means spotting new opportunities for brands to stay relevant in a constantly changing world. We stay close to trends, identify opportunities, develop new product ideas and then visualise them in a way that can capture a real-life experience, for testing in research or handing on to a packaging agency for design detailing and artworking.
3 | Category Development
This means using storytelling and creativity to breathe life into a host of other growth-orientated internal initiatives such as audience segmentation, defining innovation processes and shaping category strategy – making the complex, simple. We take our tools for consumer brand-building and apply them to internal initiatives, giving them the same visual impact as consumer-facing comms.
This all means that we access and advise some of the most influential people in the business world, providing a unique perspective that is really valued. Our close senior partnerships and integrated teams mean that our creative people can shape the conversation from the start and gain unparalleled exposure from junior to director.
INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME
- Brand Strategy & Innovation (CPG)
- 3 Month Internship: (Winter 24/25 & Summer 2025)
- Hybrid Working (3 days in London Office, 2 days WFH)
Launched in 2023, the HMc Internship Programme offers a unique opportunity for budding strategists to experience the fast-paced and creative world of brand strategy and innovation, as part of a proudly independent agency specialising in the FCPG sector (food, drink, and health & beauty).
The programme is set up to immerse you in Haines McGregor’s distinctive approach to brand work. We believe that successful, growing brands lie at the intersection of Cultural relevance, Consumer desire, and Business strengths and capabilities. We then inject vibrant creativity to unlock and bring to life sharp strategic thinking.
You can learn more about what we do here: http://hainesmcgregor.co.uk/our-work/
The 3 month internship is a varied and dynamic programme with opportunities to work across live projects with our key accounts (e.g Carlsberg, Diageo, Arla) as well as managing your own project from start to finish with tangible outputs to add to your portfolio. You’ll also be involved with our internal marketing team, supporting to create content to bring new business to the agency. At the end of the programme,
you’ll get the chance to interview with our leadership team for a role as a Junior Strategist.
To be clear, we’re not hiring a new barista. Our offices have a café. This is an internship with an expectation to hit the ground running and actively contribute to the agency from day one.
WHAT YOU'LL GET
Agency Exposure: As an independent agency, everyone mucks in! You’ll be working alongside some of the industry’s top talent from Juniors to Directors, Strategists to Creatives.
Flexible Working: Our London office is based at The Hoxton Hotel, Southwark. You’re welcome to come in every day and make the most of our prestigious postcode. We’d like you to be in the office a minimum of 3 days a week, but on the other days pull on your comfy socks and work from home if you prefer.
Valued Skills: The programme offers opportunities to build and develop highly sought after skills for the industry. These include; Category Auditing, Copywriting, Presenting, Project Management, Facilitating Creative Sessions, and Concept Writing, as well as skills vital for independent agency-life including; Marketing Content Creation, Forecasting, Organisational Skills, Team Coordination, and much more.
Feedback & Development: On your first day, you’ll be assigned a mentor who will help you define some personal objectives and ambitions for the programme. You’ll have weekly check-ins with your mentor, as well as monthly reviews of your objectives with feedback collected from the wider team.
Insight on the World’s Biggest Brands: We partner with some of the biggest FMCG brands at a global scale. You’ll be working and shadowing live projects across Carlsberg Group (inc. brands such as Carlsberg, Tuborg, 1664 Blanc, Grimbergen), Arla (inc. brands such as Lurpak, Anchor, Arla Protein), Diageo (inc. brands such as Johnnie Walker, Buchanan’s, Guinness) and many more!
WHO YOU ARE
- A graduate who has recently achieved a bachelor’s/master’s degree with strong academic merit.
- Interested in brands, how they innovate, grow and take on competitors.
- Able to demonstrate an aptitude for critical, logical and creative thinking.
- A clear and articulate communicator, both written and verbal (inc. presenting).
- Able to demonstrate efficient organisational and task management skills.
- A fast learner and committed independent worker with initiative and self-motivation.
- Proficient in Microsoft Powerpoint & online research.
SALARY:
- £25,000 pro-rata
- 25 days holiday pro-rata
HOW TO APPLY:
Please apply via the webform below. As part of your application, please attach your CV and cover letter, including approx. 150 words telling us about a drinks, snacking, or health & beauty brand that you think is struggling and needs to adapt to stay relevant – what could the brand do differently to be successful?
Please also advise your approx. start date (we are looking for immediate/early 2025 and Summer 2025 starters).
