The VANS Brand Communications Internship 2026 gives a graduate hands-on exposure to social media, content creation, public relations, partnerships, brand activations and campaign reporting. The programme offers real-world experience supporting global brands in the South African market, with applications closing on 28 July 2026.
The internship forms part of the VANS division within Ares Holdings. It gives the successful graduate an opportunity to learn how a retail brand plans campaigns, engages consumers and measures communication results.
The programme will take place in Cape Town.
What Does the Brand Communications Internship Offer?
The programme introduces the graduate to the fast-moving world of brand communication.
The successful candidate will gain exposure to:
- Brand strategy development
- Consumer insights
- Creative campaign execution
- Social media channel management
- Content creation
- Public relations
- Influencer engagement
- Strategic partnerships
- Brand activations and events
- Campaign measurement
- Performance reporting
The graduate will work with marketing teams, creative agencies, product teams, suppliers, media contacts and external partners.
Who Can Be Considered for the Internship?
The opportunity is presented as a graduate internship. However, no specific degree, diploma or field of study has been specified.
Candidates with academic or practical exposure to the following areas may find the programme relevant:
- Marketing
- Brand Management
- Communications
- Public Relations
- Digital Marketing
- Media Studies
- Journalism
- Advertising
- Content Creation
- A related creative or business field
These fields provide useful preparation, but they should not be treated as formally advertised qualification requirements.
No age limit or minimum amount of previous experience has been specified.
The online form requires candidates to provide their nationality and confirm whether they have the legal right to work in South Africa.
How Will the Graduate Support Social Media?
The intern will learn how VANS plans, implements and manages content across different social media platforms.
Responsibilities will include:
- Supporting the management of social media channels
- Helping create engaging brand narratives
- Producing content for social media
- Assisting with blog content
- Supporting press releases
- Preparing internal communication material
- Working with creative teams and agencies
- Checking that content follows the brand voice
- Following brand communication guidelines
The graduate must also monitor industry trends, digital media developments and emerging communication platforms.
This research can help the team introduce fresh ideas and respond to changing consumer behaviour.
What Will the Intern Learn About Partnerships and Activations?
Partnerships can help a brand reach new audiences and create relevant consumer experiences.
The intern will assist with:
- Identifying potential strategic partners
- Researching collaboration opportunities
- Coordinating partnerships
- Supporting brand collaborations
- Helping organise related activations
- Participating in events
- Gaining practical on-the-ground activation experience
These activities require organisation, communication and the ability to work with both internal and external stakeholders.
How Will Cross-Functional Collaboration Work?
Brand communication campaigns require input from several teams.
The graduate will collaborate with:
- Marketing teams
- Creative agencies
- Product teams
- Suppliers
- Media contacts
- Influencers
- Industry partners
The intern will help align communication activities with broader brand strategies.
In addition, the programme provides exposure to supplier management and internal organisational processes.
What Public Relations Experience Could the Intern Gain?
The public relations component introduces the graduate to media and influencer engagement.
The intern will support:
- Relationships with media outlets
- Communication with influencers
- Relationships with industry partners
- Media enquiries
- Product sample requests
- Press release distribution
- Public relations reporting
- Communication measurement tools
This exposure can help the graduate understand how brands build visibility and maintain professional relationships with external audiences.
How Will Reporting and Analysis Support Campaigns?
The intern will help gather and analyse information about communication initiatives and brand activations.
Activities will include:
- Collecting campaign data
- Reviewing communication results
- Evaluating activation performance
- Preparing progress reports
- Tracking key performance indicators
- Identifying areas for improvement
- Presenting useful findings to the team
The graduate will therefore learn that brand communication involves both creative work and measurable business results.
Which Technical Skills Matter for This Internship?
The programme requires an interest in several communication disciplines.
Relevant technical competencies include:
- Brand strategy implementation
- Writing and editing
- Social media content creation
- Public relations
- Media relations
- Project management
- Digital marketing
- Analytics tools
- Content management systems
- Campaign measurement
- Brand consistency
- Crisis communication
- Market research
- Consumer research
- Visual communication principles
Candidates do not need to claim expertise in every area. However, their curriculum vitae should show relevant academic projects, volunteer experience, personal projects or previous responsibilities.
Which Personal Qualities Does VANS Value?
The graduate will need to communicate with several teams while managing changing priorities.
Important qualities include:
- Collaboration
- Influencing ability
- Team support
- Stakeholder management
- Clear communication
- Conflict resolution
- Adaptability
- Professionalism
- Organisation
- Creativity
- Accountability
- Respect for deadlines
The successful candidate should also support responsible brand growth, continuous learning, team development and respect for people and the environment.
What Additional Responsibilities Should Candidates Expect?
The internship also includes everyday administrative and workplace responsibilities.
The graduate may need to:
- Respond to emails
- Manage office correspondence
- Maintain an organised workspace
- Meet deadlines and targets
- Communicate professionally with customers
- Work with suppliers and employees
- Support the company’s mission and values
- Complete reasonable additional duties
These activities support the broader communication team and help campaigns run smoothly.
How Long Will the Internship Run?
The programme is advertised as a contract internship.
However, no contract duration has been specified. Candidates should confirm the duration during the recruitment process if VANS raises it.
Is a Stipend Provided?
No stipend or remuneration amount has been confirmed.
Therefore, the headline and meta description should not refer to a monthly stipend. Candidates can confirm remuneration details during the selection process.
Where Will the Internship Take Place?
The internship will take place in Cape Town, Western Cape.
The online form asks candidates whether they are currently based in Cape Town. Therefore, applicants should answer this question accurately and consider transport or relocation requirements.
No remote or hybrid working arrangement has been specified.
What Should Candidates Prepare Before Registering?
Candidates should prepare:
- An updated curriculum vitae
- Accurate personal and contact information
- Their education history
- Work eligibility information
- Details of any relevant experience
- Examples of communication or marketing projects
- Supporting documents, where requested
Relevant experience can include:
- Managing a student society’s social media pages
- Creating content for a small business
- Writing blogs or press releases
- Helping organise events
- Completing a marketing campaign assignment
- Working with influencers or community partners
- Preparing campaign reports
- Using social media analytics tools
Candidates should also prepare a clear answer explaining why they want to work with the VANS brand.
When Should Candidates Submit Their Information?
Applications close on 28 July 2026.
Candidates should complete the online process before the closing date and avoid waiting until the final day.
Applicants who receive no response within two weeks after the closing date should regard their applications as unsuccessful.
How Can Candidates Complete the Online Process?
Applications must be submitted through the official online application portal.
Before submitting, candidates should:
- Update their curriculum vitae
- Check their personal details
- Confirm their South African work eligibility
- Complete their education history
- Upload the required documents
- Answer all compulsory questions
- Explain their interest in the VANS brand
- Confirm whether they are based in Cape Town
- Review every answer for accuracy
- Retain confirmation of the completed submission
Itumeleng’s Insider Tip: VANS is looking for more than someone who enjoys social media. Use your curriculum vitae and application answers to show how you understand brand voice, consumer culture and measurable campaign results. Include a portfolio link or relevant content examples where the online process allows supporting documents.
Why Is This Internship Worth Considering?
The programme combines creative communication with practical business exposure.
The graduate can gain experience across social media, public relations, partnerships, activations, reporting and cross-functional collaboration.
Furthermore, supporting global brands in the South African retail market can help the successful candidate understand how international brand strategies connect with local consumers.
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Final Thoughts
The VANS Brand Communications Internship 2026 offers a graduate practical experience in social media, content creation, public relations, brand partnerships and campaign reporting.
No specific qualification, programme duration or stipend amount has been confirmed. However, candidates should demonstrate relevant communication skills, creativity, professionalism and an interest in consumer brands.
Applications close on 28 July 2026.
