The
BA (Hons) Advertising and Public Relations course is pleased to announce the formation of its Industry Advisory Board. The Board consists of Maria D?Souza, Content Partner (EMEA) at
MEC, Tim Gibbon, Founder of
Elemental Communications and creator of the
Social Media Portal (SMP), and Alison Williams, Account Director - Premium Accounts at
Gorkana. The latest additions join the board?s inaugural member and lead advisor, Russ Lidstone, CEO of the
Creative Engagement Group.
Board members reflect the diverse strands of professional practice common to the converging fields of advertising and public relations. In their roles, Board members speak as guest lecturers and at public events, contributing insight for student projects. Board members also contribute to the development of curriculum that ensures graduates are career-ready.
Kristin Brewe, Course Leader of BA (Hons) Advertising and PR stated, 'In the teaching of advertising and public relations, you can?t have enough access to industry experience. The field changes faster than any textbook can be written about it. Our Industry Advisory Board consists of industry leaders who not only have deep expertise, but also the vision to help shape tomorrow?s professionals. Our students will benefit greatly from their experience.'
One of the course?s core themes is inter-disciplinary understanding, particularly as that relates to audience insight. Mari
a D?Souza explained, 'Over the course of my career, I?ve worn many hats and worked across all types of media. One thing that has remained constant, however, is the need to get inside the minds of consumers and create things they want to engage with. I am so pleased to work with students to stimulate their creativity.'
Of course, cross-functional understanding requires adaptability, which is requisite to success in the rapidly changing communications industry. Tim Gibbon added, 'I have been a journalist, worked at advertising and media agencies, a content creator and a founder of my own communications company. To the extent I can provide know-how about core skills in those roles while also conveying how to be marketable, it?s rewarding to be able to give back as a part of the Board.'
Noting that communications tools have never been more powerful, Alison Williams discussed the need to educate students about gleaning insight from all the data available to communications professionals. She added, 'It?s so important to be able to move with this dynamic industry, particularly now that technology is so fast-paced. We have never had greater abilities in terms of gauging consumer sentiment, but the challenge remains: can we gain real insight that lets us solve communications problems creatively? I am looking forward to working with UWL students to help them develop those skills.'
The formation of the Advertising and Public Relations Industry Advisory Board is an initiative related to the university?s global learning, teaching, and assessment strategy,
Create EXCELLENCE. Brewe concluded, 'UWL is known as the careers university and its commitment to cementing ties with industry is one of the reasons why 96% of our graduates are employed within six months of graduation. For advertising and public relations students, getting access to the level of expertise represented by our Board will help them become the graduates that everyone in industry wants to hire.'
Find out more about the
BA (Hons) Advertising & PR course.
Read the
press release at the University of West London website.