Two leading establishments within Scotland’s creative industries have launched a brand new partnership designed to support and nurture the next generation of talent in Scotland.

Grayling and City of Glasgow College have agreed a programme offering 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 who take part will be actively involved with Grayling’s industry-leading creative division, called Ignite, which has been integral to winning work from global brands such as BADOO, Pokerstars and Yo!

The programme also ensures that all students will 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.

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.”

Katie Easton, a second year student at COGC who attended the event 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 it to come after graduation.

“There was a great buzz in the room on the day and I know the opportunities we’ll be faced with over the course of the year will help each of us to gain valuable experiences which will help us take our next steps.”

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.”

The partnership officially launched with a panel session held at the College on Wednesday 1st December, 2021, which demonstrated the different routes into creative roles and a personal perspective on how the industry has evolved.

Photo: Jacquie Shaw, Lally Wilks and Ashley Murphy

©City of Glasgow College / Simona Iglikova and Sam Mitchell

For more information, please contact: Glasgow@grayling.com