Pegasus professional gives wings to Bright Young Things
Published 29 November 2012
Students on the PR module at the School of Sport and Service Management have been given valuable insight into the art of media relations when Sharon Whiting, senior account director with Pegasus PR, shared her knowledge and experiences.
Delivering a charming, witty and insightful presentation, Sharon caught the attention of every aspiring PR hopeful in the room.
Sharon has an impressive background with 23 years experience that has taken her around the world. She more than proved her PR guru status, giving the audience valuable tips in managing what is often a tricky relationship – that of PR pro and journalist.
Sharon recounted some of her own experiences with the media and how important it is to really get to know the journalists that you are liaising with.
Sharon Whiting giving her presentation
The Bright Young Things (BYT) initiative, brainchild of PR lecturers Dan Bennett and Charlotte Clifford, is the creation of a new, innovative communications agency that will be run by students as part of their modules in marketing, PR and advertising.
The aim of BYT is to give students real life experiences as part of their degree and is already being considered a valuable training ground for the PR professionals of the future.
With the task of managing live client projects, it is an exciting time for students on the PR module and their enthusiasm was clear as the fledgling account teams were keen to absorb the priceless insight from Sharon.
When the floor opened for questions, gaining employment was the hot topic dominating conversation. It was clear that the opportunity to talk to an industry professional was of great benefit to the students.
PRestige account manager and International Event Management BA(Hons) student, Danica Histed, said: “It was an amazing insight into the industry from Sharon and being able to hear from a professional whose agency has just won PR Week’s ‘Specialist Consultancy’ award is an added bonus.
“We are delighted to be part of the BYT project and would like to extend our gratitude to Sharon for sharing her valuable time.”
With this valuable industry knowledge fresh in the mind, the spotlight is now firmly placed on the promising PRs who are rapidly gearing up for the challenging task of live client management.
The Bright Young Things on the PR module will certainly be the ones to watch within the coming months, in what is shaping up to be both an intriguing and innovative outlook on group work.
