PPC opens mentoring scheme for 2022 after surge in demand

The Publishers’ Publicity Circle (PPC) is opening its mentoring scheme for new enrolments for 2022, after last year's mentor pairings doubled owing to high demand. 

Open to publicists of all levels, the scheme will start in January 2022. The programme has been devised by the PPC committee to give publicists a chance to learn from some of the finest in the business. Enrolment gives mentees an opportunity to advance their skills, from campaign planning to crisis management, and realise their full potential, as well as giving mentors an enriching experience coaching and inspiring more junior publicists.

This year the PPC says it is actively seeking more mentors from children’s publicity to join the programme, after last year saw increased demand from children’s publicity mentees. Children’s publicists across all book age groups are encouraged to apply.

Becky Short, PPC chair, said: “I’m thrilled to see the PPC mentoring scheme enter its sixth year with more participants than ever before. As someone who has benefitted hugely from a mentor/mentee relationship, I would encourage publicists to apply for this year’s intake. It truly is an opportunity you won’t regret. As we all know, the last year and a half has completely changed the publicity landscape and we’ve faced many new challenges. Sharing our knowledge, skills and experience is more crucial than ever and I can’t wait to hear about how this year’s mentors and mentees have worked together.”

PPC mentor Joe Pickering, publicity director for Jonathan Cape and Bodley Head imprints, added: “This was a hugely rewarding experience for me, as a mentor. It reminded me how many talented, energetic young people there are in this industry, and at the same time how much there still is for all of us to learn. My mentee worked in educational publishing, which I'm unfamiliar with, and I learned so much about it from our sessions together. That said, I think I'd have learned just as much if they'd worked in exactly the same area, such was their enthusiasm and talent. I'll definitely sign up again.”

Niamh Anderson, a mentee and press officer at Hodder & Stoughton, said: “In a difficult year for publicists, I have hugely enjoyed and appreciated my experience of the PPC mentorship scheme. The opportunity to speak directly and regularly to a more senior publicist at another publishing house has been invaluable. My books and campaigns have benefitted from an outside perspective, and as a junior publicist, my own career has too. Our meetings are always a safe space to discuss opportunities and challenges at work. I couldn’t recommend the experience more highly.”

Mentor applications close on 19th November and mentee applications close on 26th November. All applicants must be PPC members. Further information can be found on the PPC website. Successful applicants will be matched with their mentor in December should be ready to start the scheme in January 2022.