In the middle of summer, when most students and professionals are enjoying holidays, MATCH Agency runs something very different — an intensive, hands-on, and free education program that can change the course of someone’s career. Every year, MATCH Summer School offers a unique chance to spend three months learning directly from industry experts, gaining both theory and practical skills, and working on real client projects with real feedback. This year was no exception.
Record-high interest
MATCH Network has been active in marketing and strategy for more than 10 years. Alongside client projects, the team also invests in shaping the next generation of specialists. The Summer School was born from the company’s belief that corporate responsibility also means sharing knowledge. Inspired by the professionals who once guided the MATCH team, the program has become a platform for new talent entering the industry or shifting their career path.
This summer, the interest in joining was higher than ever — nearly 100 applications were received, and only seven participants were selected after a careful review. Their ages ranged from 19 to 32, and their backgrounds were very different. Some were complete beginners in marketing, while others already had their first professional steps behind them.
From theory to real projects
The program is divided into three stages, each one month long and building on the previous.
June was all about theory.
Participants explored how an agency works, learned project management methods, tools, and modern marketing processes. This year, they studied branding basics, competitor analysis, audience definition, content planning, and got an introduction to creating both visual and written content.
July focused on practice.
Students worked closely with MATCH experts and client company managers. Workshops covered content creation, digital marketing tools, presentation skills, and SEO basics. They also received a short introduction to newsroom processes — helping them understand how marketers and journalists collaborate to shape strong stories for client campaigns.
August was the big test:
applying everything in a real client project. Each student was matched with a company and tasked to create a complete marketing solution — a campaign, content strategy, or market entry plan. Projects were presented not only to MATCH mentors but also directly to the companies, ensuring real and practical feedback.
“Training and developing young specialists is one of the most important elements for the future of any industry — especially marketing, where constant knowledge updates and fresh perspectives are needed. That’s why MATCH’s initiative with the Summer School deserves high recognition. For BLV Advisory Group it was an honor to be chosen as one of the case studies for students. We are grateful to MATCH for their contribution to developing young professionals, and we also want to thank the students for their serious attitude and high-quality work. Programs like this create a strong bridge between education and real business practice.”
Sergey FrolovCEO at “BLV Advisory Group”
Mentors and supporters
This year’s participants had the chance to work with a number of key MATCH clients and partners, including Mūkusalas Biznesa Centrs, BLV Advisory Group, Bank of Lamps, ATTA CENTRE, Karavela, BISS, and others. Their involvement was not symbolic — company representatives gave assignments, evaluated student work, and shared valuable insights.
Guest lectures also came from respected industry professionals: Aleksandrs Buraks (Head of Growth at DiscoverCars.com), Igors Marders (former Chief Revenue Officer at DELFI), Aija Krūtaine (Head of Editorial Strategy for Subscription Content at DELFI), Artjoms Kobahidze (CEO of All the Hires), Andrejs Klimovskis (Co-Founder of INNELS), Vladislavs Demidovs (videographer at VYSE Production), and many more. Each opened the door to their field and showed how theory turns into practice.
“MATCH Summer School is an amazing project — it was great to take part. Talking with the students and listening to their questions was a joy. I believe all of them have big potential in marketing or related areas. And even if they choose completely different careers, this experience will be valuable. Together we even ran a fun PR research project on which car model drivers use turn signals less. By publishing this content and reaching out to journalists, we got mentions in different media outlets and on social platforms. An amazing result — and a real pleasure to work with you folks!”
Aleksandrs BuraksHead of Growth at DiscoverCars.com
“I truly believe initiatives like this are what young people need. I remember when I was a student — what I missed most was the chance to talk about the practical side of skills. Lectures are important, but tasks and exercises help students really apply what they learn. That’s why I think this school is such a great opportunity. Marketing is full of books and theories, but there aren’t enough applied examples of how to use knowledge right now. Here, students get to understand what professionals in different areas actually do, how they achieve results, and also try things for themselves to see what feels right. It’s not only about marketing — it’s about learning practical skills they can use in all areas of life.”
Andrejs KlimovskisCo-Founder of INNELS
A launchpad for careers
MATCH Summer School is more than just a course. It’s an opportunity to change how you see marketing and your own career path. The program delivers practical skills you won’t find in traditional academic courses and builds professional connections that can become a launchpad for the future.
Many graduates have already started their careers in marketing — either joining other companies or becoming part of the MATCH Network team, continuing to grow and help clients reach their goals.
“I want to say a huge thank you to the whole MATCH team for the chance to gain such diverse knowledge — not only about the industry, but also about myself. I am grateful for the support and encouragement that helped me adjust my direction and get even more value out of the program.”
Elizabetestudent
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you to MATCH Agency for letting me take part in the program all summer. I gained both practical knowledge and new contacts. I especially value the insights and experience I can already apply in my daily work. Thank you to the whole team for your support and effort ❤️.”
Danijastudent
This initiative shows that with the right mentoring, resources, and motivation, even beginners can achieve professional-level results in just a short time. By investing in young talent, MATCH Network is helping to ensure that the future of Latvian marketing will be creative, skilled, and ready for global challenges.
