Seeking a Mentor for Your Career in Interactive Marketing?

A program designed to educate the next generation of digital marketing executives is seeking recruits.

The Internet Oldtimers Foundation has launched the Andy Bourland Mentorship Program, named for ClickZ’s co-founder who died in February at the age of 53.

The foundation, an organization made up of over 450 executives in interactive marketing and media, is accepting applications here from people who are interested in being matched with a digital marketing pro in the free, one-year program. A participant must be available to meet at least once a month with his or her mentor, prepare an industry research document, and present the findings at an industry conference or trade show.

The program is geared for people starting their careers in marketing or experienced marketing professionals interested in learning more about digital channels, according to Skip Graham, president of the Internet Oldtimers Foundation and GiantHead, an interactive agency based in Raleigh, NC.

“We worked with Andy Bourland and then his wife on a program to carry on his legacy,” Graham said. “Andy was the person who was always willing to reach out. He always answered the phone. Those are characteristics that he brought and that’s what we are trying to make this program epitomize.”

Professionals at interactive businesses who have agreed to serve as mentors include: Matt McGowan, VP & Publisher, of ClickZ, Search Engine Watch, and Search Engine Strategies; Chris Graham, VP, business intelligence, Atrinsic; John Engler, president, Pipeline Success; Leslie Laredo, EVP, Laredo Group; Peter Shankman, CEO, Geek Factory; Adam Gordon, chief revenue officer, Radar Online ; Stefan Tornquist, research director, MarketingSherpa; Steve Hall, editor and publisher, AdRants; Tom Hespos, president, Underscore Marketing; Denise Zimmerman, president/chief strategy officer, NetPlusMarketing; Jack Flanagan, EVP, comScore; Peter Platt, director of media, Butler/Till; John Van Wagner, director, advertising sales, Ad Infuse Mobile; Joshua Chasin, chief research officer, comScore ; Mark Westlake, chief revenue officer, TopTenReviews.