R/GA London Announces Partnership With Brixton Finishing School and the School of Communication Arts

R/GA London today announces a new partnership with Brixton Finishing School and the School of Communication Arts. As part of this new partnership, R/GA has the opportunity to collaborate with the culturally diverse pool of inspiring and exciting young creative talent from the schools. In return, both schools will benefit and learn from R/GA's creative team, and gain exposure to the agencies transformative digital capabilities. R/GA London’s creative teams will also be visiting the schools over the course period, which formally kicks off in May, to share their expertise and deliver personal mentoring to students.

 

Brixton Finishing School and the SCA are unique organisations which offer individuals from under-represented backgrounds the opportunity to access skills in digital, marketing and advertising. The partnership will help R/GA to address diversity, and work towards utilising the unprecedented talent which lies among those who do not have the privilege of attending university. Brixton Finishing School offers a free, three-month digital “accelerator”, which will pre-qualify students for work in the media industry by providing ‘real world’ agency experience with the aid of industry experts from sponsors.

 

Dan De Lord, head of recruitment at R/GA London said: “It is incredibly rewarding for us to be able to share our knowledge in the digital marketing industry and help mentor these talented individuals. We are so proud to be part of this powerful social enterprise, which encourages young people access to equal opportunities. R/GA have been given a great opportunity with this partnership, to address diversity within our network, which is why we are delighted to be offering internship programmes to individuals from the courses. In an industry which is historically noted for poor diversity statistics, a need for change is imperative.”

 

The School of Communication Arts delivers a 12-month course, providing pupils with an impressive portfolio, invaluable connections with industry professionals and the confidence to begin work. Instead of a dissertation, at the end of the course a Portfolio Day takes place, where the schools network of agencies are invited to view students portfolios and make job offers. This has resulted in almost all students receiving a six month placement after Portfolio Day, with the exception of those who enter straight into a job.

 

Ally Owen, founder of Brixton Finishing School, said of the partnership: “We are overjoyed to have R/GA on board with our sponsorship programme and can’t wait to see both our students and R/GA benefit from the partnership. We believe that although the talent is distributed amongst London's youth evenly, the chances and opportunities are sadly not. With digital leaders, such as R/GA showing their support, we are becoming increasingly successful in providing people from under-represented backgrounds the opportunities they deserve.”