Northumbria Student Joins Growing Digital Agency Through Graduate Futures Scheme

Bonded’s newest Graduate Futures recruit, Pippa Gilroy, graduated from Northumbria University in 2023 with a Master's degree in Digital Marketing. Joining Bonded as a Digital Marketing Executive, Pippa has seamlessly integrated into the team, leveraging her academic background to deliver innovative solutions for clients.  

Reflecting on her journey, Pippa shares, “Bonded has always felt like a natural fit for me. I first connected with the agency as a freelancer whilst I was still a student, which made the transition to a more permanent role after graduation a lot easier”.  

Graduate Futures team have an ongoing relationship with many businesses within the region, with a focus on helping students find the right opportunities for them, during their studies and post-graduation, and Bonded long recognised the value of investing in local talent.  

Founded in 2021 by four esteemed figures in the media industry, Bonded is a fully integrated digital agency offering a wide array of services from audience profiling to media consultancy.  Almost three years on, the agency has moved to its new Newcastle headquarters to house its growing team, and are proud of its Northern roots, actively championing local businesses and regional talent. Now a team of 22, Bonded has hired several graduates from Northumbria University. 

As the agency continues to grow, internships and graduate roles play a pivotal role in Bonded’s talent acquisition strategy, and Northumbria’s Graduate Futures team are committed to working with them to find the right students.

Emma Dunwell, who is currently serving as a Marketing Intern at Bonded, is a recent graduate of Northumbria University’s Fashion Communication program.

Emma commented, “My time at Bonded has been invaluable. I’ve learned so much about the industry in a short span of time and had the opportunity to work on exciting projects alongside the team”.  

Bonded recognises the strengths that graduates from Northumbria University bring to the table. The agency has been impressed by the talent, creativity, and dedication of graduates from Northumbria University.  

Steven Underwood, Managing Director and Founder of Bonded, notes, “Northumbria graduates have a strong sense of community and a deep understanding of the local market, making them an invaluable asset to our team”.  

Renee Fraser-Shepherd is another success story from the Graduate Futures and Bonded partnership, having started at Bonded as an intern whilst studying Business and Entrepreneurship at Northumbria University, and since transitioned into a permanent role as a Marketing Executive. Renee plays an integral role in Bonded’s marketing efforts, managing the agency’s social media platforms, planning events like the recent ‘Future Advertising Trends Festival’, as well as working on client accounts. 

The fast-paced nature of agency life can often seem daunting to recent graduates, and the Graduate Futures team are committed to finding placements with partners like Bonded which are committed to providing support and training to junior members.   

Cultivating a culture of continuous learning, Bonded ensures that every team member can grow and thrive in their role. Graduates at the agency have the chance to learn from experienced members of the team, take part in learning & development opportunities like their ‘Lunch and Learn’ sessions, and receive frequent feedback from line managers.  

When asked her advice to upcoming graduates soon to enter the job market, Sarah Bell, Media Planner and Buying Manager at Bonded, and former Northumbria graduate, shared “Make a LinkedIn account, create a CV and a personal business card and connect with as many people in the field as possible. Reach out and start conversations, find networking events near you. The more you connect with people face to face, the more memorable the interaction becomes.” 

According to Sarah, skills such as organisation and time management are essential for graduates hoping to enter the workplace. Understanding office culture and getting familiar with software and tools that agencies use day-to-day - like Microsoft Excel, Outlook and Slack - can be immensely useful.  

Visit the Graduate Futures webpages out more about how Graduate Futures help Northumbria students and local businesses.