The Foundry’s extensive support of the retail industry has been recognised with the company’s entry into Monash University’s Australian Centre for Retail Studies’ (ACRS) exclusive Club 30, a new, innovative membership level initiated by recently appointed executive director, Jeff Rogut.

“Club 30 is a new initiative to commemorate the length of time since the ACRS was conceived as an idea by professor Michael Collins in 1977,” says Rogut.

“A key benefit of Club 30 is providing members with research capability above and beyond what could usually be accessed through normal membership levels and represents excellent value. Organisations can tap into our resources for small up to quite large projects looking at various aspects of retail studies.”

“We’re delighted to have The Foundry on board as the first member of Club 30.”

The Foundry’s confirmation as a member follows its key sponsor-level support of the ACRS’ Shopfloor to Boardroom study. This two-year study is now complete and set for general release, focused on the critical issue of building interest in retail careers.

“The ACRS is at the forefront of retail thinking in Australia and the world. We see our partnership as contributing to the sharpening of the retail edge in this country, so we are very pleased to have been invited to take our involvement to this new level,” says Simon Burrett, managing partner of The Foundry and noted retail strategist, of the value of the partnership.

Since opening in April 2006, The Foundry has quietly built a reputation as one of the advertising industry’s up-and-coming young stars. The Foundry was established by managing partner Simon Burrett, managing partner and creative director Ian Brown and founding partner Ron Parker.