Blog

Colman Getty has been working with the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) for over a decade. We publicise their biannual surveys about graduate vacancies, major research reports and special projects; and have positioned the AGR, and its Chief Executive, Carl Gilleard, as the 'go-to' commentator on graduate employment issues. We have recently started supporting AGR on its digital and social media (@AGRtweets), and communication with members.

Last week, the AGR published its winter edition of the survey, which looks back at statistics from the previous year and forecasts the year ahead. We work closely with AGR and education research specialists, CFE, to look at the key findings of the research and create a launch strategy.

The winter survey found that the graduate recruitment market is relatively stable, despite turbulent economic times, with a small drop in predicted vacancies for 2012 balancing out a small rise in vacancies last year. While reports from the coal face paint a very gloomy picture for graduates seeking work, some sectors said they were very optimistic about the year ahead, increasing the flow of graduate talent into their business. Another glimmer of good news for graduates is that the average starting salary is predicted to increase for the first time in three years (up 4% to £26,000).

After an AGR event at the Bank of England to give members an exclusive preview of the findings – featuring a terrific presentation by Aaron Porter, former president of the NUS, now consultant to CFE – Carl was up with the larks and off to BBC White City for broadcast interviews. Meanwhile, widespread print and online coverage included Daily Telegraph, the Guardian, Daily Mail and Mirror.

We are proud to announce that Colman Getty’s Digital and Marketing Account Manager, Simon Singleton, will be running this year’s London Marathon on behalf of children’s charity, Lumos.

Lumos works to put a stop to the systematic institutionalisation of disadvantaged children across Eastern and Central Europe and has been a valued client of ours for several years. The London Marathon, which will be held on 22 April 2012, is a highlight of the sporting calendar and one of the UK’s top annual events, attracting over 35,000 runners and televised to more than 150 countries worldwide. Lumos has secured two places in this year’s race. “I’m running the marathon for Lumos, whose work I find incredibly inspiring. This will be my first marathon and already I’m finding the step-up from casual runner to marathon tougher than I expected! Fundraising will start soon, which will be a combination of collecting from friends, viral messaging through social media, and organised events in conjunction with Lumos. As soon as I’m able to move from my bed after April 22nd, I’ll report back on the main event!” Everyone at Colman Getty will be cheering Simon on in his fantastic endeavour. If you would like to support Lumos' vital work by sponsoring Simon, please visit his Just Giving page.

This year’s London Art Fair, which closed on Sunday, was the most successful ever, with over 25,000 visitors over six days. It’s the first time that Colman Getty has worked with the team at Upper Street Events, and it’s been great fun. With over 120 galleries exhibiting at the Fair, we had lots of conversations to tease out the best media stories. These ranged from Patrick Tresset’s drawing robot, Paul, who drew the presenter of ITV London News and The Independent’s  new art correspondent, as well as featuring on Channel 4 News, to Sue Steward’s curation of Photo 50, which was previewed in the Independent on Sunday’s Portfolio and reviewed in the Financial Times. Reviewers across the board paid tribute to the significant position that London Art Fair has carved for itself in a busy art world calendar, as the oldest kid on the block and at the same time ‘a one stop survey of Britain’s next generation.’ (Art + Auction)

January has come in like a tornado here at Colman Getty, with some significant new client wins as well as some very welcome project renewals.

We have handled PR for The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Hampton Court Palace Flower Show and RHS Flower Show Tatton Park for the last two years, so we are thrilled that the RHS has now decided to transfer our contract over to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.  Roll on May, to what is undoubtedly the most famous gardening show in the world!

On the campaigning side, we have been taken on to work with Action on Addiction, the only UK charity working across the addiction field in research, prevention, treatment, professional workforce development and support for families and children. The year began with the charity announcing that Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge had chosen to become its patron, as one of the four charities she has decided to support.

An exciting new arts project which has come our way is the Horniman
Museum’s major exhibition, The Body Adorned: Dressing London.  Opening on 24 March, it will look at street fashion and adornment in all its forms, from items of clothing and jewellery, to tattoos and body piercings.

Retaining clients is very important to us and our retention rate – at over 65% - is unusually high. We love being able to build a strong relationship with clients and to   continue to deliver results over a sustained number of years and I think our longstanding clients appreciate that.

January and the start of the year is, of course, one of the key months for us to renew existing contracts, so this month has seen a flurry of activity in our prizes division with renewals for the Man Booker Prize for Fiction and the Man Booker International Prize; The Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-fiction; The Warwick Prize for Writing; and the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting.   We will also be working with Everyman’s Library again in their 21st year and with the UK’s leading science fest, The Times Cheltenham Science Festival, which takes places again in mid-June. 

A highlight of this January has been the London Art Fair, which was a new project for us in 2012 and which Truda describes in more detail further on.  It was a fabulous, packed show at the Business Design Centre in Islington and attracted a record 25,000 visitors from all over the world in just six days.

Proof if any were needed that art and science can inspire and thrive, despite the current doom and gloom. 

May the dragon smile on you this year. More from us in February!

Serial entrepreneur and businessman Luke Johnson was appointed Chair of Trustees for Action on Addiction. The charity is one of four to have been chosen by the Duchess of Cambridge, who will become its Patron.

Action for Happiness encouraged people to take a different approach to New Year’s Resolutions, pointing to research that shows that happiness is linked to long-term health and well-being.

The Crafts Council’s Block Party exhibition started its tour at Smiths Row.

The Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) announced its new Chief Executive. Charles Elvin will take up the helm from 6 February.

The shortlist for the 2012 International Prize for Arabic Fiction was announced this month at a press conference in Cairo’s prestigious Opera House. This year’s six books included a number of different themes, ranging from exile and questions of personal identity to social and political upheaval, both historically and in the present time. The winner will be announced in Abu Dhabi on 27 March, marking the 5th anniversary of the prize.

The Faces of the Library of Birmingham had a tour of the site and met the Leader of Birmingham City Council, Mike Whitby.

New College of the Humanities announced new academic teaching staff. Professor Rebecca Goldstein, Dr Daniel Swift and Dr Eric Golson are the latest academics to join NCH ahead of its first undergraduate intake in September 2012.

Oxfam reported strong Christmas trading figures, out-performing the industry average by almost five times, with sales up 11% on the previous year.