Minorities Shown Path To Success In Advertising At Howard University

NEW YORK--MS&LGroup, one of the world’s leading communications firms, and its strategic partner for multicultural marketing Egami Consulting Group have joined with Howard University’s Center for Excellence in Advertising (CEA) to provide opportunities for minorities in the advertising industry. This alliance helps CEA in its mission to become a talent resource for people of color by creating a preeminent training facility for individuals looking to advance their careers.

“MS&LGroup has a strong commitment to promoting diversity within marketing and communications,” says Jim Tsokanos, President of the Americas, MS&LGroup. “The students participating represent some of the best talent that will be key to our industry’s future success and sustainability.”As part of this alliance, MS&LGroup and Egami are teaching several sessions at CEA’s Next Generation Boot Camp. This two-week training program provides students of Historically Black Colleges and Universities the opportunity to expand on their knowledge of the advertising industry. The boot camp aims to give students a competitive edge and provide the tools needed to enter and advance within the field. Ten participating students will be selected for marketing and communications internships at varying agencies, including MS&LGroup and Egami.

As part of the boot camp, MS&LGroup’s Corrie Tin, Senior Account Supervisor, and Jarrod Morgenstern, Account Executive, will join Egami’s CEO Teneshia Jackson Warner to lead an instructional session on digital media. Jackson Warner will also lead a session on the benefits of diversity in advertising.

Also through this agreement, MS&LGroup will contribute insight in CEA’s “Making a Lateral Move in Advertising” program. MS&L’s Consumer Practice Director Caryn Carmer will lead Session 6, “Agency Life,” which will provide intensive training and hands-on experience to minority mid-level managers looking to obtain positions in advertising and communications agencies.

“The support of MS&LGroup and Egami presents a tremendous opportunity to our students,” says Adrianne C. Smith, Executive Director, CEA at Howard University. “Through their sponsorship and participation, CEA is able to provide minority candidates the necessary skills and resources needed to become successful in today’s competitive environment.”

About MS&LGroup

MS&LGroup is one of the world’s top five PR and Events networks, specialists in public relations, public affairs, branding, corporate and financial communications, social media marketing and events. Operating in wholly owned and affiliate offices in more than 80 countries spanning the Americas, EMEA and Asia, MS&LGroup provides many of the world's largest companies and most recognized brands with best-in-class communication strategies to help them reach their business and communication goals. Web site: www.mslgroup.com

MS&LGroup is part of Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris: FR0000130577], the world's third largest communications group. With activities spanning 104 countries and 43,000 professionals, Publicis Groupe offers a complete range of advertising services through three global advertising networks, Leo Burnett, Publicis, Saatchi & Saatchi, and two multi-hub networks, Fallon and 49%-owned Bartle Bogle Hegarty. Media consultancy and buying is offered through two worldwide networks, Starcom MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia; and interactive and digital marketing led by Digitas and Razorfish. Publicis Groupe recently launched VivaKi to leverage the combined scale of the autonomous operations of Digitas, Razorfish, Starcom MediaVest Group, Denuo and ZenithOptimedia to develop new services, tools, and next generation digital platforms. Web site: www.publicisgroupe.com.

About Publicis Groupe

Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris: FR0000130577] is the world's third largest communications group. In addition, it is ranked as the world’s second largest media counsel and buying group, and is the first global network in digital and healthcare communications. With activities spanning 104 countries on five continents, the Groupe employs approximately 45,000 professionals. Publicis Groupe offers local and international clients a complete range of advertising services through three global advertising networks, Leo Burnett, Publicis, Saatchi & Saatchi, and two multi-hub networks, Fallon and 49%-owned Bartle Bogle Hegarty. Media consultancy and buying is offered through the two first ranked worldwide networks, Starcom MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia; and interactive and digital marketing led by the two first ranked Digitas and Razorfish networks. Publicis Groupe launched VivaKi to leverage the combined scale of the autonomous operations of Digitas, Denuo, Razorfish, Starcom MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia to develop new services, tools, and next generation digital platforms. Publicis Groupe’s specialized agencies and marketing services offer healthcare communications with Publicis Healthcare Communications Group (PHCG, the first network in healthcare communications), sustainability communications and multicultural communications. With MS&L Group, the sixth PR and events network, Publicis Groupe expertise ranges from corporate and financial communications to public relations and public affairs, branding, social media marketing and events, sports marketing and events. Web site:www.publicisgroupe.com

About Egami Consulting Group

Egami Consulting Group is an award-winning, woman-owned, NMSDC and WBENC certified minority marketing firm specializing in linking brands to urban and multicultural consumers via inspirational platforms. Founded in 2003 by Teneshia Jackson, Egami provides brands ways to “INSPIRE”, “CONNECT”, and “ACTIVATE” consumers through innovative best-in-class marketing campaigns, strategic partnerships, custom community programs, and/or new products. In 2008, Egami formed a strategic partnership with MS&LGROUP.

Web site: www.egamiconsulting.com

About Center for Excellence in Advertising at Howard University

The Center for Excellence in Advertising (CEA) at Howard University is an Executive Education Program. CEA’s vision is to become the advertising industry’s certified talent resource and pipeline for people of color and become the preeminent training facility for multicultural individuals who are interested in advancing their careers in the advertising industry. CEA will be managed by the John H. Johnson School of Communications, which has the only accredited degree-granting program in advertising among the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Web site: www.ceahoward.org