EFAP Launches Its Podcast: Giving a Voice to the Future of Communication

An opening episode full of stories, career paths, and insights

For this very first episode, Steve welcomes two guests with complementary profiles:

• Aurélien Ezvan, EFAP alumnus (class of 2010), now Editor-in-Chief of La Boîte à Questions on Canal+
• Maëliss Hervé, current MBA student specializing in Communication & Media Relations

As godfather and godmother of the podcast, they share their experiences, thoughts on the future of the industry, and a few behind-the-scenes anecdotes.

The episode kicks off with a lighthearted game: each guest shares facts about their background, and the other must guess whether they’re true or false. Through this format, listeners learn that Maëliss worked on the Olympics, runs a YouTube channel focused on culture and travel, and that Aurélien took part in a presidential campaign.

The conversation soon turns to a pivotal moment: the trigger that made them both want to work in the world of communication.

“Back in middle school, I wanted to intern with a director who made perfume commercials,” Maëliss explains. “I’ve always been fascinated by these luxury ads, right at the intersection of cinema and marketing, telling a story while selling a product. That’s when I discovered communication agencies… and communication schools.”

Aurélien had a similar starting point: “For me too, it all began with ads. I was a TV addict, and I found commercials incredibly creative. At EFAP, I met a professor who had written one of my favorite ads. That stuck with me, and later it inspired me to create La Nuit de la Pop Culture,” he recalls.

Artificial Intelligence: A Threat or a Tool for Communicators?

At the heart of the episode lies a deeper conversation: what role will AI play in the future of communication? Both guests offer a nuanced take, seeing AI as a tool of opportunity, when used wisely. Whether through task automation or creative acceleration, they describe AI as an amplifier, not a replacement.

“I was skeptical at first,” admits Maëliss, “but we had a professor at EFAP who encouraged us to try out tools like DeepThink or Perplexity. Now, I use them all the time for research and fact-checking, they’ve become essential.”

She also shares a defining moment at the AI Summit, where she met Dimitri Daniloff, the photographer behind Daft Punk’s AI-generated album cover: “Meeting an artist who uses AI as a creative extension changed my perspective. It’s a tool to go further. The professionals who’ll be hired tomorrow are the ones who know how to use it.”

Aurélien agrees, seeing AI as a true creative partner: “It’s like a second brain. It pushes my concepts, challenges me, and helps me explore topics I’m less familiar with."

As a jury member for one of EFAP’s Big Battles, he was particularly impressed by the students’ projects: “I was blown away by how bold and professional the students were. Thanks to AI, they were able to take their ideas even further.”

Still, he cautions against blind trust in machine-generated content: “It’s a fantastic production tool, but not always a reliable information source. Don’t rely on a single output, cross-check, verify, dig deeper.”

A Deep Dive into Media Trends

The episode continues with a media quiz, where the guests test their knowledge, and their takes, on recent industry news. Topics included : Les 12 Coups de Midi, Hugo Décrypte, Cyril Hanouna, TNT channels, and more.

The final rounds bring a bit of competition: identifying blurred logos, guessing which visuals were AI-generated, and recognizing iconic ad jingles.

To wrap up, both guests offer practical advice for current and future EFAP students.

“At EFAP, we have the chance to do a thousand things outside of class, whether it’s internships or side projects,” says Maëliss. “You have to follow your instincts and go for it. I just registered as a freelancer and I’ve already signed six contracts.”

Aurélien emphasizes action and connection: “EFAP is like a live LinkedIn, you have to use that network. And don’t wait for permission to start. With just a phone, you can film, edit, and share. A good idea doesn’t exist until you’ve tested it.”

The first episode of EFAP Podcast is now live on YouTube. Stay tuned, more episodes are coming soon, always hosted by Steve Dias Pedro and featuring inspiring guests from across the communication industry.