New partnership supports next generation of creative champions

City of Glasgow College has joined forces with international communications agency, Grayling, to offer real-world opportunities to students seeking a career within their chosen creative field.

Second year students on the college’s PR, Marketing and Advertising HND course will become part of Grayling’s unique Creative Champions network, a nationwide team of professionals providing diverse perspectives on communications and marketing challenges.

Those taking part will be involved in Grayling’s industry-leading creative division, Ignite, which has been integral to winning work from global brands such as BADOO, Pokerstars and Yo!

Jacquie Shaw, Associate Dean for Media at City of Glasgow College said: "City of Glasgow College is delighted with this education partnership designed to enhance student experience and preparation for a successful career in media. 

“By consulting and collaborating with Grayling, our students will develop the employability skills from actual client briefs with academic and expert industry support.  The real time competitive nature in addressing and executing a proposal will increase awareness and skills in line with industry expectation.  Our students will be more confident and competent with Grayling's support which benefits all future employers and clients."

The programme will also ensure that all students gain valuable insight and industry experience, including skills development, mentoring and on-the-ground work experience with Grayling’s teams in both Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Lally Wilks, Grayling’s Head of Glasgow, said: “Glasgow has a well-established reputation for being a creative hub. This partnership will help us to diversify our creative thinking while tapping into some of the brightest creative minds the city has to offer. We hope to support the students’ future aspirations by giving them access to our industry while studying.

“Partnerships such as these are a valuable way to help people realise their potential and understand the choices that are open to them. We can’t wait to see what the next year brings and hope that the students will take everything they can from the opportunities that come with this collaboration.”

Katie Easton, second year HND advertising and public relations student said: "This new partnership with Grayling is an amazing opportunity for us. It will allow us unprecedented access to contacts, expertise, and the chance to preview real life in industry to give us a taste of what’s to come after graduation. The opportunities we’ll have over the next year will provide valuable experiences which will help us take our next steps."

The partnership officially launched (Wednesday 1 December) with a panel session at the College, attended by Roy Gardner, Vice Principal for Corporate Development at the College, Heather Kane-Darling, Lead Editor for BBC Radio Scotland, Lally Wilks, Associate Director - Head of Glasgow Grayling, and Billy Partridge, Director, Grayling. The event demonstrated the different routes into creative roles and a personal perspective on how the industry has evolved.