Dentsu is accepting applications for its 2025 influencer education program in South Africa.

As per Media Update, the six-month program in Cape Town, which runs from February to July 2025, provides participants with 1,000 learning hours across seven modules covering content creation, platform mastery, financial management, brand partnerships, personal branding, and ethics. Students receive monthly stipends during the program.

According to Dentsu’s data, the inaugural 2024 class demonstrated measurable results. Participants achieved follower growth of up to 11.5% and engagement rates of 10.4%, exceeding the Creator IQ industry benchmark of 0.97%.

“We fully support an ethical, transparent, inclusive, and professional industry for creators and brands,” Emma Odendaal, Head of Influence for Dentsu EMEA, said in a statement. “Content creators are accountable to their own communities.”

The program aligns with the IAB South African Content Creator Charter, which Dentsu was among the first agencies to adopt. The curriculum emphasizes regulatory compliance, disclosure requirements for paid content, and organic community-building practices.

In South Africa, where Statista estimates influencer advertising spending will reach $27.14 million this year and individuals spend the highest proportion of their waking hours glued to a screen, the program targets citizens over 18 with a matric qualification and between 1,500 and 10,000 followers on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube.

The Interactive Advertising Bureau South Africa (IAB SA) recently launched the South African Content Creator Charter, establishing guidelines for ethical partnerships between marketers and content creators to promote transparency and professionalism.

According to Morning Consult research, 53% of survey respondents view influencing as a respectable career, with most indicating willingness to leave their current employment if they could maintain their lifestyle through content creation.

Applications remain open through November 8, 2024. The program includes mentorship from 25 industry experts and requires participants to complete seven assignments focused on practical influencer marketing skills.