PR students excel with global clients

Bournemouth University (BU) Public Relations students have been praised by Ketchum PR agency for the creative ideas they have contributed to global clients such as fast food chain 'Wendy's' and electrical giant 'Philips'.

It's all part of Ketchum's Mindfire Project, a new online innovation community where students from universities across the globe compete and collaborate on live briefs for real companies. The clients themselves select finalists and students receive feedback and rewards based on the ideas they contribute.

Two BU students are currently amongst the top five contributors based on points awarded for their ideas. Undergraduate Richard Wilson has just won $100 for his proposals on the 7-11 Convenience Film Festival.

Karen Strauss, Partner and Chief Innovation Officer at Ketchum said: "The Bournemouth students are demonstrating impressive creative thinking on Mindfire. We are so delighted with the quality and quantity of ideas they have shared so far. Keep up the great work!"

BU is the only UK University invited to take part. Others involved come from China and New York, giving the project a truly international flavour with students networking and sharing ideas across the globe.

Dan Jackson, who leads the BA (Hons) in Public Relations at BU said: "This project gives students experience of the sorts of real-world problems that PR agencies are faced with. This has tremendous value in terms of broadening their understanding of their discipline, and putting the theory into practice. Mindfire allows them to think like practitioners.

"The networking opportunities are also not to be underestimated ? building contacts is an important part of a successful PR career. Plus, they will be able to say they have worked with one of the biggest and most successful PR agencies in the world."

David Gallagher, Partner and CEO of Ketchum Pleon London, President of Ketchum Pleon Europe and Chairman of the Public Relations Consultants Association added: "We are delighted to be partnering with BU and its renowned Media School on this important initiative. Even though it's early days, the calibre of ideas already submitted validates the positive reputation BU holds and makes us optimistic about the future of PR talent."

• BA (Hons) Public Relations
• MA Public Relations