Wesley ter Haar: What to Expect from the S4 Fellowship Program

We understand that the power of creativity is amplified by diversity of background and thought. Still, the technology field historically lacks the diversity needed for true innovation–a problem that’s compounded by the impact that digital has on all aspects of our lives, ranging from education to work to socialization and more.

That’s why we’ve built the S4Capital Fellowship Program, which aims to mitigate these challenges by empowering young, exceptional students from traditionally underrepresented communities to leave their own mark in shaping the path of technological innovation–interested candidates can apply now. To better understand the program’s significance, we checked in with MediaMonks Founder Wesley ter Haar, who is one of the S4 leaders that Fellows can expect to apprentice with.

What’s the S4 story to you, and why do you personally care about what we do?

I personally care about S4 being a platform to innovate, which spans the work our industry creates and produces, the way the work is done and delivered, and who does the work and where. Each of these fuels the excitement and energy of our team culture. There are few opportunities where you’re offered a platform to make real, lasting and meaningful impact on an industry you love, and that’s S4 to me.

What’s the fellowship story, and how did it come about?

It’s really a continuation of Sir Martin’s career; he knows better than most about what it means to break into an industry as an outsider, and how important it is to create opportunities. He made them for himself, he made them for others at scale throughout his career, and I’m proud to see that focus continue at S4. It’s a doubling down on our promise and pledge on diversity, equity and inclusion, and I’m excited to see the careers that will launch at S4–and hope to see the program continue to grow!

Why is the fellowship important to you, and what will your contribution be?

I hope I can be a useful mentor, first and foremost, and give people a strong start that gets them excited by our industry–which, for all its faults and foibles, can create amazing opportunities. That’s important, because our core promise to our people and clients is that our teams are a reflection of the communities we work in, and the end-consumers that we’re trying to reach.

What should the fellows expect?

The access to senior leadership as well as our agility as an organization means you can be anyone, and you can be anywhere–but you can’t stand still.

What do you want the Fellows’ impact to be on the company and its clients?

I want our fellows to become the future CMOs of our clients! But just so we’re clear here: we want to be an open door for more diverse talent to join an industry that has historically been exclusive to so many. I expect we’ll have some very impressive Fellows joining the team, and I’m excited to see how they will influence our work as well as our ways of working.

For the start of the S4Capital Fellowship Program, we’re seeking U.S. graduates from Historically Black Colleges and Universities who boldly question the status quo and rip up the rulebook when confronted with challenges, using creativity and analysis to launch new ways of thinking, working and doing. If you’re energized by a passion to build on the foundation of a new era, we encourage you to apply.

Are you ready to launch a career that pushes the industry forward?