The PR Net BIPOC Mentorship Program is a mentorship and career development program led by industry founders and senior executives, to advance BIPOC students and recent graduates in the field of marketing and communications.
The program will offer invaluable mentoring and coaching by leaders in various practice areas, with a view to gain the program participants practical skills to aid their careers and paid employment on completion. The mentors will leverage their connections and make introductions for job positions following the course.
It is an 8 week program, with one to two hour long weekly sessions between mentors and their mentees. The syllabus will cover topics that prepare mentees for entering the workforce, educate them on current industry conditions and best practices, offer assignments and practical work experience and provide a real world, empirical understanding of how to break into and progress in the industry.
Participants can select from their preferred specialty areas and will be matched with a suitable mentor. These include a variety of sectors within marketing and communications, such as fashion, beauty, wine and spirits, architecture and design and corporate communications, among others.
Who is Eligible?
Applicants must identify as BIPOC and should ideally have either recently graduated (up to 2 years out), or be undertaking their final two years of college or university studies in a field relating to marketing and/or communications. They may also have equivalent work experience in the field.
Mentors 2022
APPLICATIONS FOR 2023 OPEN NOW. Click here to apply.
Video has long been a trend in social media – and the wider marketing industry, for that matter. Instagram originated as a photo-sharing platform, but has since shifted to prioritize video content over static images. TikTok has led the charge, with over a billion users worldwide sharing and engaging with these short, catchy clips. The video trend shows no signs of slowing, so we gathered intel on what brands, influencers and individuals should keep in mind when creating their video content.
With Instagram’s aforementioned shift to becoming video-first, it’s worth brushing up on the opportunities there. The most recent update to know: just this month, the platform combined IGTV (the long-form video function for videos one minute to one hour long) and Feed videos into a single format dubbed ‘Instagram Video.’ Users can expect the Reels function to remain separate, with Instagram prioritizing these minute-long clips as the platform continues to compete with TikTok.
When creating Reels content, the Hawkins International team shares, “Similar to TikTok, this feature allows you to record and stitch together multi-clip videos. Make sure to add audio and camera effects to grab your viewer’s attention. For public accounts, Reels on the explore page provide a chance to reach audiences on a global stage.”
For brands, the BMF team recommends using video to communicate the emotional benefits of a service or product. “Instead of relying on selling messaging that focuses on product benefits, highlight the emotional benefits consumers experience when engaging with the brand and purchasing products. Whether that is through storytelling, music or creating a moment, you can radically change the way your audience perceives your brand.”
On the influencer side, social media guru Renee Ogaki emphasizes the value that video content will continue to wield well into 2022. As such, upcoming influencer campaigns must incorporate video; for example, creators can jump on the many fast-moving TikTok trends (which oftentimes end up – and perform well – on IG Reels).
At the end of the day, video content may be dominating the social sphere, but superficial copies of even the trendiest topic can fall flat. Instead, focus on quality over quantity, and always take a thoughtful, creative and authentic approach to creating social media videos.
