Big Creative Education (BCE) and award-winning advertising agency Mother have once again joined forces for CreativiTEA, an industry-led programme connecting emerging creative talent with real-world opportunities and professional insight.
Bringing together students from Art & Design, Media, Games Design, Animation and Music, the programme gives learners the opportunity to engage directly with industry professionals, develop responses to a live creative brief and gain valuable experience within a leading creative agency.
Launching CreativiTEA at BCE
The programme began with an opening session at BCE, where creatives from Mother introduced the live brief, shared insights into their careers and provided students with a first-hand understanding of the creative industry.
Students had the opportunity to hear directly from professionals working across advertising, strategy and production, gaining insight into how creative ideas are developed and brought to life.
Alexis Michaelides, Founder of Big Creative Education, said:
“CreativiTEA is about proximity. Getting young people closer to the conversations, challenges and creative energy that shape this industry. Too often, talented young people don’t lack ability; they lack access. This collaboration changes that.“
For BCE, partnerships such as this are central to our commitment to industry-led creative education, ensuring students develop not only technical skills but also a clear understanding of how creative careers operate in practice.
Michael Roberts, Employer Engagement Lead at Big Creative Education, added:
“What makes this partnership special is that it feels real. Mother aren’t arriving with a polished corporate talk; they’re opening the doors properly. They’re sharing process, perspective and honesty. That’s the kind of exposure that changes confidence, ambition and ultimately futures.”
Susan Hosking, Creative Lead at Mother, highlighted the value of bringing new voices into the industry:
“The creative industry needs fresh voices, different perspectives and people who see the world differently. CreativiTEA creates space for that. We’re excited to meet the students, hear their ideas and challenge ourselves through the collaboration too.”
Stepping Inside Mother London
Following the launch, students took the next stage of their CreativiTEA journey with a visit to Mother’s London headquarters in Shoreditch.
Experiencing a working agency environment first-hand allowed learners to gain a deeper understanding of the pace, culture and collaborative nature of the advertising industry. Through facilitated workshops and discussions with specialists across the agency, students explored roles in creative, strategy and production while learning how different departments contribute to successful campaigns.
The visit provided valuable context for the creative brief, helping students connect classroom learning with real industry expectations and workflows.
Presenting Ideas and Building Confidence
The final stage of CreativiTEA saw students return to Mother HQ to present their responses to the live brief.
Drawing on the knowledge and experience gained throughout the programme, learners showcased their creative thinking to industry professionals while developing their confidence in pitching and presenting ideas.
The programme concluded with the announcement of the winning group, who will now undertake a work experience placement with Mother.
Creating Pathways into Creative Careers
CreativiTEA demonstrates the impact of meaningful collaboration between education and industry, giving students the opportunity to develop skills, receive professional feedback and gain a clearer understanding of creative careers.
Mother’s commitment to emerging talent extends beyond CreativiTEA through initiatives such as Mother’s Crew, an entry-level programme offering alternative routes into the advertising industry for people without traditional creative degrees or experience.
As CreativiTEA 2026 comes to a close, BCE extends its thanks to everyone at Mother for their time, openness and commitment to supporting the next generation of creatives. By creating opportunities for students to engage with the industry in a meaningful and authentic way, partnerships like this continue to make a lasting difference.
