Hearst UK launched The Nest in 2018, which runs at its headquarters in London twice a year. One programme offers ambitious internal candidates the opportunity to step out of their everyday roles, progress their careers and learn new skills, while the other supports and nurtures diverse external talent looking to break into the media industry. Both are given a chance to develop new business products and revenue streams.

Following the success of The Nest in the UK, Hearst China will launch its own iteration as a four-week programme from September this year, with eight people being selected from over 500 applicants. The Nest China will coordinate closely with Julian Linley, Hearst UK’s Business Development Director, who devised and started The Nest in the UK.

The ‘Nesters’ will be given a brief based on a business interest or opportunity and will be mentored by experts from across Hearst, creating an environment that enables positive learning and development. The Nest aims to deepen candidates’ understanding of Hearst’s capabilities and provide them with a platform to progress their careers and acquire new skills.

Participants in the programme will explore each area of new business development, including market insight, consumer research, product, branding, competitor landscape analysis, marketing, revenue and business planning, before pitching their final ideas to the Senior Leadership Team in the last week of the scheme.

As part of Hearst’s commitment to Diversity & Inclusion, The Nest provides external talent with a salary, along with a contribution towards living costs and travel.

Roth Lai, Group Brand Strategy Director for Hearst China, says: “Here at Hearst China, we continue to look for ways to innovate within the industry. We have been extremely impressed with the success of the UK programme and its ability to attract a diverse range of talent who are passionate about their career development. We are excited to be launching The Nest to propel products and ideas that keep our consumers engaged, while also working with up-and-coming talent to foster their ideas and give them a space to showcase them.”

Julian Linley, founder of The Nest, says: “I am delighted that our colleagues in China have adopted this initiative. The Nest_ is a platform for change that allows Hearst, and our partners, to step back from day-to-day operations to take a fresh look at any market, through the eyes of up-and-coming talent.”