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Signal AI’s co-founder comments on post-study work visas
Boris Johnson has committed to reinstating the post-study work visa in order to attract international talent. Signal AI’s co-founder and chief data scientist, Miguel Martinez, commented on the current system in CityAM.
The article discusses Boris Johnson’s revival of the post-study work visa after former home secretary Theresa May’s termination of the visa route in 2012. By reinstating the post-study work visa, the UK will be more able to attract international talent. Both in volume and in quality.
Commenting on the current process that calls for businesses to have a Tier 2 sponsors licence and is willing to pay £20,800 per year, Miguel stated that “any visa sponsorship programme adds additional complexity and requires significant effort… while this will not be a problem for large companies, it is likely to be prohibitively hard for a startup.”
As an immigrant co-founder of one of the 49% of the UK’s fastest-growing businesses with at least one immigrant co-founder, Miguel is a fervent supporter of government initiatives to ensure the UK is attractive for international students and talent.
PR pitches welcome for 2022 Commonwealth Games
In preparation for the 2022 Commonwealth games – taking place in Birmingham from the 27th July to the 7th August 2022 – the Birmingham Organising Committee has opened the pitching process. In order to make it a (media) success, the Birmingham Organising Committee unlocked a £3 million PR and marketing budget.
The brief of activities is broken down into 7: design services, creative services, PR, events, mascot design, consumer insights and research, customer relationship management. With the PR opening involving implementing a local and international public relations strategy with both proactiveness through campaigns, and reactiveness during the build-up to the event.
With visitors from around the world and one million tickets issued, the West Midlands want the Games to be a platform to global limelight. So the Committee expects the agencies pitching to have a sound knowledge of the Midlands. Understand its opportunities and challenges is a prerequisite.
The tender closes on Monday 16th September… Who will go for the gold?
PRCA expands into Russia
The Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) expands into Russia and launches PRCA Russia to raise industry standards. It is the first public relations organisation to be founded outside the UK and will be the only membership body representing all areas of public relations and communication.
This includes PR and Comms professionals, corporations, and consultancies. Bringing existing PR and Comms focused organisations under one banner, including PR agency body AKOS.
Source: PRCA Russia Launches To Raise Industry Standards, MENAFN (9 September 2019).
Royal Caribbean Cruises opts for magical PR with Thinkerbell
Sorry to disappoint, but no, you read that wrong and Tinkerbell (the fictional fairy with an attitude problem) isn’t the new face of Royal Caribbean Cruises. The international cruise company’s offering hasn’t magically transformed into a fairytale pleasure cruise.
But it has been announced that after an incredibly competitive pitching process, they have appointed Thinkerbell as their marketing and PR agency. With the agency destined to manage Royal Caribbean International’s marketing strategy and creative and Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Azamar’s public relations.
The cruise line has previously worked with agencies including White Grey, Hulsbosch, and Frank PR. But maybe this latest appointment will bring additional sparkle to their PR.
Source: Thinkerbell wins creative and PR for Royal Caribbean Cruises, Mumbrella (12 September 2019).
Global offshoot of Pagefield Communications closes
Pagefield Global, the litigation PR agency offshoot of Pagefield Communications, ceased trading on Wednesday. The litigation PR agency, a separate company, was originally created to compliment Pagefield Communications’ offerings. But despite initial backing and management by two PR veterans, the venture has failed. The remaining 13 employees were informed on 11th September and were reportedly paid up til the closure.
The agency is being particularly tight-lipped about the internal goings on, with very little information having been released about clients and revenue figures. The company is due to be placed in liquidation, however the closure won’t impact the wider Pagefield agency.
Source: Pagefield Global ceases trading, PRWeek (11 September 2019).
Tune in next week for another Signal AI news roundup of the top PR news of the week. But for now, you can find out more about us here.