Lava PR Doubles Commitment To Home-Grown Talent

Lava PR’s partnership with the University of Lincoln is set to be twice as good next academic year.

Lincoln-based Lava launched its Conduit programme in 2009, offering one undergraduate on the University’s BA (Hons) Public Relations degree course a placement with the consultancy during their final year.

The scheme proved so successful that Lava has decided to offer two placements rather than one during the 2010/11 academic year.

Rosie Corriette (21) will join Lava in September and follow the original Conduit scheme, spending at least one day a week with the consultancy.

Meanwhile, Ed Willmott (20) will embark on a year-long, full-time placement with Lava starting on 1st July.

“Conduit was the first structured work experience and entry-to-employment initiative to be established with the University of Lincoln’s PR course,” says Jane Crofts, course leader for the PR degree. “Gaining an appreciation of how the theory of PR is applied in the real world is of enormous benefit to our students. Not only does it improve their academic performance, the Conduit scheme looks great on their CVs.”

Rosie and Ed were selected by Lava after the pair helped out on Lava’s pro-bono work for Wear Your Shirt day in April. “I really enjoyed getting involved in the Wear Your Shirt campaign – the experience was fantastic and I’m really pleased to have the chance to continue working at Lava,’ said Ed. ‘The agency’s range of clients is fantastic and I know that I’m going to get the best possible grounding in PR as a member of the Lava team.”

Matt Hammerton, managing director, Lava PR, said that nurturing rising talent was a key part of his business strategy: “All successful businesses need a plan for growth that includes developing existing employees as well as introducing fresh talent. Each year the University of Lincoln’s PR course produces some very talented individuals who, for various reasons, move away from the city to start their careers. We set up the Conduit programme to dispel the myth that great work with great clients can only be found in London and other big cities.

“We want to show that there are superb opportunities to be had in Lincoln and the East Midlands. Lava offers a start in PR that adds the benefit of a better standard of living to working with big name clients, working to big consultancy standards.”