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Welcome to the May
2008 edition of MCC’s monthly digest, designed to bring you the latest views,
coverage and headline news from our multi-cultural market.
Please feel free to
comment on any of the issues at mcc@webershandwick.com we look forward to
hearing from you!
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MAY
…
MCC’s World
–
University
of
Oxford
Special
…
There are a number
of prevalent issues in education today, from the impact of internationalisation
and emerging economies, to the number of students from state schools applying to
higher education institutions. One of the issues facing some universities (in
particular those within the Russell Group) is attracting ethnic minority
students. With this in mind, the University of Oxford together with MCC has created
Pioneering Ambitions – a campaign engaging a range of audiences from students,
media, politicos and teachers to help attract and retain more students from
multi-cultural backgrounds to apply to the University. Below is a snapshot of
the work which has been done. If you would like further information about any of
this work, please contact Rakhee Vithlani, Head of MCC on rvithlani@webershandwick.com.
Pioneering
Ambitions Reception at the RSA
The
launch of the
University of
Oxford’s Pioneering
Ambitions event took place at the Royal Society of Arts on the 15th of April.
The reception was chaired by leading news presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy
together with a panel including Lawrence Lartey, contributing editor for Touch
Magazine, Teresa Thorp, Head of Sixth Form from Stretford Grammar
School and Professor Falliaze, Pro–Vice Chancellor of Education
for the University
of Oxford.
The ensuing
discussions were engaging, lively and passionate with a wide range of
professionals, media, teachers, students and industry figures sharing their
ideas on how to make further positive change.
Oxford
University’s
Trading Places
On the 28th of
April the MCC team visited King
Edward VI Five
Ways School in Birmingham to participate in the third Trading
Places part of the Pioneering Ambitions Initiative. Trading Places involves
taking successful Oxford alumni in to various
comprehensive schools across the UK to engage Year 9 students in a
‘work style’ activity challenge
We
were joined by Oxford alumni, Catherine Bray
(Commissioning
Editor, 4Talent)
and business entrepreneur and Apprentice star Syed Ahmed to engage the year 9
students in the fun filled session.
The students were
asked to write and produce and present a mock radio show.
Syed,
Catherine and Leyla Okhai, a representative from the University of Oxford
judged the
students’ presentations and the winning team have been invited to spend the day
at Maverick studios in Birmingham. Regional media also attended the
session, including the Birmingham News and Birmingham Mail.
Our
previous sessions were held at Stretford Grammar
School in Manchester and
Langley Grammar School near Slough and both sessions were well received by both
students and teachers.
For further
information about our work with the University of Oxford have a look at the University of Oxford website or
Rakhee’s blog http://candidculture.com/
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Look out
for
…
Henrietta Zuel
The young black
British golfer Henrietta Zuel hopes that she can make golf for women as popular
as Tiger Woods has made golf for men.
Karen
David
The stylish singer,
songwriter and actress may be this year's hottest new thing. The multi-talented
26-year-old has spent her whole life doing what she does best. Born in Shillong,
at the foot of the Himalayas and raised in Toronto, Canada, by a half Chinese /Khasi
mother and a father from Chennai, the ever-alluring Karen is set to impact the
music industry.
Bravado
Masala
This new album has
been put together by James Asher, a world beat drum artist and producer and
Mahesh Vinayakram, a Indian virtuoso
singer, and provides the listener with a selection of melodic adventures.
Ranging in mood from rhythmic and danceable to thoughtful, nostalgic and
contemplative.
Finally . . .
.
Who do you think
is most in tune with multicultural issues in London?
 
Click the tabs at
the top to vote and the results will be revealed in the next
edition.
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News…
The enduring
legacy of Martin Luther
King
April marked the
40th year since the assassination of civil rights leader, but the message has
never been more relevant and his son Martin Luther King III discusses why.
Channel 4 announces new money, positions and programmes
to push diversity
Channel 4 has
announced potentially far-reaching changes to its policy on diversity and
tackling inequality within the corporation. In an announcement last week the
organisation said it wanted to “extend our ability to reflect all kinds of
social diversity including ethnicity, disability, nationality, regionality, age,
gender and beyond”.
The
Media Industry
Attracting PRs from
a range of backgrounds is a challenge which the entire media industry faces.
Weber Shandwick is taking part in a number of initiatives such as internships
and partnerships with schools and universities to help drive change.
Our very own CEO,
Colin Byrne, recently wrote an article about this issue in PRWeek. We will keep
you informed of developments.
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Out & About…
Testing the
Echo
@ Tricycle Theatre
until 3rd May. The Rep –Birmingham from 7th - until
10th
May
David Edgar’s new
play is a fascinating tapestry about the twisting road to becoming British.
Secretly, Tetyana wants to escape her marriage. Mahmood gets kidnapped for his
own good. And the motley crew in Emma’s English class are all looking for
something, whether it’s a passport - or a fight. As the day of their ceremony
approaches, Emma’s students begin to challenge some of her dearest-held
beliefs.
Afro Hair and Beauty Live
Exhibition
@
Alexandra Palace on the 25th and 26th May
Afro Hair and
Beauty Show has established itself as one of the biggest shows of its kind in
the world. With hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of visitors, the show is
the definitive place to be for Afro-Caribbean hair and beauty if you live in
London.
In Spitting Distance - Rukab
Project
@
The Barbican from 7th - until 17th May The play takes penetrative look, laced
with black humour, at life in the midst of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and
the experience of being an Arabic traveller since the September 11 attacks on
the World Trade Centre.
Black History
Walks
running
until November.
Next
walk 5 May at 2.00pm @ St Pauls/ Bank Since
September 2005 Black History Walks has been leading two hour guided walks in the
City of London.
It is the centre of wealth for Britain but much of that wealth has been, and
still is, created by Africa. The tour will lead
you through a rich and varied history of the oldest part of London.
JOB
ALERT:
MCC is an
ever-growing business and we are on the look out for a Senior Account Executive
to join our team. Please forward CVs to Rakhee Vithlani at rvithlani@webershandwick.com
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