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The Publishers’ Publicity Circle (PPC) is opening applications to its mentoring scheme, which will begin in January 2023.
Publicists of all levels are encouraged to apply to “brainstorm, develop and unlock their full potential” on everything from campaign planning and skill honing to career and personal growth.
The application deadline is 30th November for both mentors and mentees. Organisers said this year’s scheme has been “a huge success”, with 12 mentor pairs from across fiction, non-fiction and children’s books.
This year the PPC is allowing 2022 mentors to apply for a second year in a row. Lucie Cuthbertson-Twiggs, PPC chair, said: “The PPC mentoring programme has become such an important scheme since its launch in 2016, and it’s really wonderful to see how it has grown in that time, from five to 12 mentor and mentee pairings. The past few years have really changed the publicity landscape and we all recognise that there is a huge amount of pressure on publicists to continually deliver showstopping and standout campaigns. I hope for all on the scheme it gives them a dedicated space to be supported and heard, and to equip them with the tools they need in their career. We have such an incredible wealth of expertise within the PPC membership and have seen how the scheme has helped so many publicists flourish over the years. I really want to encourage publicists of all levels to apply for this incredible opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business.”
Isabelle Panay, mentee and publicity executive at DK said: “The PPC mentorship scheme was incredibly helpful at a tumultuous time in my career. After initially signing up to the process to see how I could expand my skills within my current role, my mentor ended up supporting me through an interview process and a company change in which I managed to secure a role at a higher level. Having someone already at a higher level to help me through the hiring process itself, but also how to manage my time in my new role, was incredibly beneficial and I’d really recommend the scheme to anyone hoping to move up the ladder in their career.”
Amber Ivatt, mentor and senior publicity manager at HarperFiction, added: “I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the PPC mentorship programme this year and it was so lovely to connect with a publicist from another publishing house and talk through their personal progression objectives and watch them meet those goals and thrive throughout the year. A monthly 1:1 brainstorming session really helps to get the creative juices flowing and positively benefits both parties (especially during another rocky year of unprecedented circumstances). Personally, I have really benefitted from having a mentor in the past and I was so proud to have been able to help and support another publicist in the industry. I will definitely be looking into doing the same again this year!”
Further information about the scheme and instructions on how to apply can be found in the online application pack downloadable from the PPC website. All applicants must be PPC members and the deadline is 5.30pm on 30th November for both mentors and mentees.
Successful applicants will be matched with their mentor by the end of December ready to start the scheme in January 2023.