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The new and improved, 2026 ADvance program runs from January 7-May 6, 2026. This 5 month program has components including in-person sessions devoted to different aspects of the advertising business and key soft skill development. The curriculum is designed to be particularly relevant to advertising professionals with five or fewer years of experience, college seniors or those who want to enhance their knowledge and learn techniques for career advancement.

This program is an excellent training opportunity for new professionals offering valuable exposure to different facets of our industry, access to Leadership, networking opportunities, course content for skill development and resources and techniques for career advancement.

Testimonials

“The ADvance Program made me fall in love with Advertising. The way the program is designed gives you so much knowledge into all paths in the ad world. You meet amazing like-minded people and make connections that will last a lifetime.” - Abby Kosch, 2024 ADvance Participant

“Completing Adcraft Detroit’s ADvance program was a transformative experience for me. The program provided invaluable knowledge and networking opportunities, allowing me to grow both personally and professionally in the advertising industry.” - Olivia Zidzik, 2024 ADvance Participant

“I would 100% recommend joining ADvance if you have any interest in advertising as a career. You get to learn all the ins and outs from people who are actively in the industry. You also get the chance to network and build a relationship with veterans but also peers in the same spot as you.” - Cheyenne Bibee, 2024 ADvance Participant

“ADvance is a fantastic opportunity to get to know the marketing industry from every angle and really figure out where you fit in within it. This program lets you network with industry professionals and find like-minded peers to start or continue your marketing career with. It is a unique, interactive learning experience that will have you leaving feeling ready to confidently take the next step forward.” - Alyssa Bowden, 2024 ADvance Participant

"ADvance was nothing short of amazing. It was the perfect way to not only connect with others who share a passion for advertising, but also connect with and learn from professionals in the industry. It was incredibly insightful and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to grow their career in advertising!" - Brenden Donovan, 2025 ADvance Participant

“Authentic and Invaluable. These two powerful words resonated with me throughout my time in ADvance, and they’re lessons I'll carry with me into my professional career and beyond. I learned the importance of showing up as my complete self in the advertising industry. ADvance taught me to be a forever learner, to create a personal growth machine and to focus on impact. Thank you ADvance for this incredible opportunity!” -Marissa Carr, 2025 Advance Participant

Program Details

In-person sessions- 2-3x per month. Each session is devoted to a different aspect of the business, and the group travels to different agencies, media outlets and more to meet other real-world practitioners who will provide a comprehensive overview of their area of expertise, industry insights and career advice based on their experience. Topics include Client Life, Agency and Sales Teams, Creative Strategy, Social Content, Broadcast Production and others.

Soft Skills- each session will have time dedicated to soft skill development based on “Invaluable” by Maya Grossman with activities and group discussions. Book will be provided.

Planned Session Dates

KEY DATES

Jan 7: ADvance Introduction- Virtual
Jan 14: Kickoff and Welcome Reception
Jan 21: Client Side
Feb 4: Agencies and Sales
Feb 18: Audio
Mar 4: Diversity Discussions
Mar 18: TV Station Tour
Apr 1: Out of Home/Place Based
Apr 15: Social and Influencer Trends
Apr 29: Creative
May 7: Closing Ceremony

*Sessions to corresponding dates are subject to change

Session Format/ Details

All sessions are held on Wednesday. Check in begins at 6pm with networking and a soft skill activity. Refreshments or a light dinner will be served until 6:30. The core program presentation runs from 6:30-8pm.

Each session is held at a different metro-Detroit industry location- the majority are downtown Detroit, some are in metro Detroit. Details on location and parking will be sent one week ahead.

Application Details

Nov 14 Application Deadline!
Dec 15 Program Acceptance confirmation email with details

Commitment Asks:

Applications require a sponsor/reference who will be informed of attendance and completion
Attendance of 8 out of 10 (80%) of in-person sessions for course certificate completion.

The program is FREE to Adcraft members. Interested participants who are not current Adcraft members are encouraged to apply. Apply early, deadline is firm for November 14. Space is limited to 30.

For more information on membership, checkout our membership page.

Due to a high level of interest, the ADvance committee will make selections for participants based on applications with the potential for virtual follow-ups. Once seats are filled, you will be added to a waiting list for consideration.

For Questions: adcraftadvance@gmail.com

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED FOR THE 2025-2026 SEASON.