University connects with global PR firm in industry-first partnership

Launching this Autumn, the Earned Media Graduate Scheme sees three graduates from the University join Weber Shandwick’s Manchester office, where they will join consultants at the agency in working with a number of national and global brands on earned media strategies and activations.

Weber Shandwick Manchester will work collaboratively with academics at the University of Salford to build the latest ‘real world’ insights and techniques from the industry into the BA Journalism with Public Relations course, and the PR module taught across other BA Journalism courses.

As well as supporting with shaping the course to reflect the current industry landscape, consultants from the agency’s Manchester office will deliver a series of guest lectures, professional workshops, and support the department’s employability offering by upskilling students in priority areas for employers across the industry.

Following their graduation from the University this summer, Adam Gooseman, Em Shaw and Eva Shana are the first to join the agency as part of the scheme’s first cohort. Each will support across corporate and consumer teams at the agency over the coming twelve months, bringing in their established understanding of the UK media landscape and first-hand experience of working in newsrooms.

Sara Eyre, Programme Leader for BA Journalism at the University of Salford said: “We are very excited to be working with Weber Shandwick on this fantastic opportunity for our students and the University. The partnership will help to ensure that our journalism courses continue to reflect industry practice and prepare our students for future careers in areas like PR and comms.

“Enhancing graduate employability and establishing strong links with organisations like Weber Shandwick is something that we pride ourselves on at Salford, and this collaboration will enable us to further strengthen this aspect of the student experience. We are very excited about this collaboration and have no doubt that Adam, Em and Eva will make a great impact as the first trainees on the scheme.” 

Katie Hill, Executive Vice President for Earned Media at Weber Shandwick said: “Based in the heart of MediaCityUK, the University of Salford is widely recognised as one of the most prestigious and established media and creative training centres in the UK, making it the ideal partner for us as we continue to explore ways to attract the strongest talent in earned media and explore new routes into PR for those at the beginning of their careers.

“Our industry is at a pivotal moment and as we continue through the Era of Earned, it’s crucial that we continue to develop and nurture earned media talent at all levels in order to future proof our business. We are so excited to welcome our first cohort of entry level talent from the partnership to the agency and I’m confident that they will be valuable additions to their respective teams, bringing fresh thinking to their accounts and a depth of media knowledge thanks to their learning experience at Salford.”