The initiative which launches on Monday, August 27 - the last day of the Notting Hill Carnival - was introduced at Goodstuff’s annual Media Showcase in May, where the media organisation set out its ambition to use its reach and influence to showcase diversity in advertising - as well as to encourage the advertising world to be more open and inclusive.
Eight brands are showing their support through advertising in The Telegraph on the day. They are Celebrity Cruises, Harry’s Razors, Muslim Trailblazers, British Dyslexia Association, Hoseasons, Smirnoff, Gucci and Volvo.
As part of the initiative, a number of The Telegraph’s apprentices have interviewed the Minister for Women, Victoria Atkins. The company says that its aspiration is to give more young people from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to start their careers in journalism and, ultimately, widen their participation in the media sector more broadly.
With this in mind and following The Telegraph’s successful Apprenticeship Programme, there have been breakthroughs in other areas of future talent, including 50 per cent of places on the company’s Summer Internship being filled by BAME candidates. Long term they believe this will result in a workforce with the ability to tell stories that truly continue to reflect the society we live in. For the next phase of the project The Telegraph will find and nurture undiscovered writing talent through a new internship, creating a lasting legacy for the initiative, says the company.
Dora Michail, The Telegraph’s Managing Director for Digital and Executive Sponsor for diversity and inclusion said: “We are delighted to be running this initiative to encourage diversity across the media and advertising industry. Investing in diversity is crucial for quality journalism and an evolving, modern society.”
Simeon Adams, Goodstuff’s Creative Partner said: “We loved the inventiveness and ambition behind The Telegraph’s diversity initiative. Getting to great ideas is really challenging, so it’s particularly pleasing to see this come to fruition - and for some Goodstuff clients to get behind it.”
