Leeds based PR agency Ptarmigan Bell Pottinger has chosen four Leeds Metropolitan University PR students to become the Ptarmigan Academy. The annual competition, now in its second year, invites groups of PR students from Leeds Met to pitch a campaign idea with the chance of winning a year long work placement. The students will gain real life work experience within a large agency and offer organisations the chance to work with students.
The student agency who will work on public relations and social media campaigns for national brands is made up of Andrew Davies, Natalie Torbett, Aimee Clark and Claire Thomas.
The students were given a brief for the Leeds Corn Exchange and asked to present campaigns that would engage consumers and increase footfall to the redeveloped shopping centre using social media and experiential events.
The judging panel included Ptarmigan’s managing director, Nathan Lane, Leeds Corn Exchange centre manager, Louise Smith and graduate of last year’s Academy and now a Ptarmigan account executive, Adam Burns.
Nathan Lane said: “The standard of students that we had pitching this year was extremely high and the four we have picked will be a huge assist to our team. The Ptarmigan Academy offers organisations the chance to work with young talented people who have great insight in to the youth market.
“This initiative demonstrates our continued support for the Leeds Metropolitan University PR course and commitment to developing and retaining regional PR talent. The four students will benefit by working closely with experienced PR consultants on a diverse range of brands.”
Andrew Davies, a member of the new Ptarmigan Academy said: “The opportunity to work with an agency like Ptarmigan for the whole academic year is very unique and we are thrilled to have been chosen. We are hoping the experience we can gain by working with some of Ptarmigan’s clients will make finding a job in these tough economic times, a lot easier once we graduate.”
The team will start immediately and will play a big part in managing the PR activity around the charity event Challenge66. Andy Mcmenemy the son of a former soldier is attempting to break the world record for running consecutive marathons by running 66 marathons in 66 days in the 66 cities of the UK. Andy is running on behalf of the Army Benevolent Fund The Soldiers’ Charity and the students will be planning and implementing PR activity in all 66 cities during the record attempt.
Lucy Laville, course leader of PR at Leeds Metropolitan University added: “Ptarmigan Bell Pottinger has once again created a fabulous opportunity for our students. The winning team will now work closely with experienced PR professionals to become practitioners whilst studying at Leeds Met. Our PR graduates already have one of the highest employment records at 97.3%, compared with a national average of 61%, thanks to our links with industry and support from employers.”
Brands who would like further information or are interested in working with the student team should contact Adam Burns on 0113 237 2826 or at adam@ptarmiganpr.co.uk
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Notes to Editor
Photo caption- From front to back: Claire Thomas, Aimee Clark, Natalie Torbett and Andrew Davies.
Bell Pottinger parent company, Chime Communications plc is one of a number of companies that is supporting the Work Inspiration initiative by Business in the Community (BITC) to improve the work experience their companies offer to more than half a million young people.
