1) Do you think graduates have it harder this year to land a job in PR?

I do not think it is any harder this year than any other. The PR industry has always
been a highly competitive one and takes a great deal of resilience and determination
to break through.

2) What kind of qualities would you look for in a candidate for work?

Passion, determination and creativity.

3) What key growth areas do you think graduates should look at in PR?

I would say it’s worth getting experience of every possible aspect of PR rather than
just one sector. Looking at the trends today, the future belongs to those who can
work across all disciplines of PR.

4) Why is ethnic PR important?

I strongly believe that ethnic PR is here to stay and hopefully, when the 2011
census is completed, governments and businesses will have a clearer picture of the
diversity that now exists in Britain and how important it is to know and understand
different cultural nuances.

5) How does it feel to have one of your own employee’s listed in PR Week’s
‘rising stars’ features?

I am very happy and indeed proud of Miss Sarpong’s achievement.

6) What is your future vision for Rich Visions?

To devise new plans, including a blueprint for a new, wider marketing agency;
generating business across the UK, Europe and the US which is focused on equality
and diversity.

7) Do you think the PR industry in the UK could do more to encourage more
applications for ethnic minorities?

Absolutely-by encouraging the engagement of specialist agencies like Rich Visions
which has the expertise to fill the gap between mainstream agencies and diverse
communities since there still seems to be fears and misunderstanding in the
mainstream world about ethnic PR.

Photograph courtesy of Mavis Amankwah.