PR Fresh Hits: June 2, 2021

Queen Priyanka launches #Vizzybility Project

Vizzy Hard Seltzer has partnered with the first winner of Canada’s Drag Race to launch the #Vizzbility Project - a grant that supports LGBTQ+ artists through funding, one-on-one mentorship from Queen Priyanka, and national visibility placements in mass media for art projects.

Through the project, four LGBTQ+ Canadian artists will receive a grant valued at $35,000 to help advance their art and its exposure. Beyond the #Vizzybility Project, Vizzy will work with Queen Priyanka and Queer Collective to invest over $1M this year to support under-represented artists in various ways.

With more brands expected to roll out their campaigns in celebration of Pride Month, this is a good example of brands actually putting money where their mouth is. Consumers are increasingly becoming savvier and brands can no longer get away with simply rainbow-washing their products and platforms for a limited time.

Artists interested in the program can learn more about it here.

Impressions Scholarship recruits and retains racialized students in PR school

Humber College and communications agency, Agnostic, have launched The Impression Campaign – aimed at creating scholarships to help attract and retain racialized students to the college’s Bachelor of Public Relations program.

Currently, there are no recruitment initiatives at a high school level to encourage access to the communications industry, which needs more diversity. Impression has been designed to address this issue by providing entrance scholarships targeted at racialized high school students and retention scholarships that will support students once they are in the program and working towards graduation.

Launching with an initial investment from Agnostic, in addition, to support from Argyle, Edelman, North Strategic, MSLGROUP, Proof Strategies, Rogers Communications, and Weber Shandwick, Impression will encourage contributions from all those in the communications field.

The Impression Campaign has been created in partnership with Code Black Communicator Network; a resource for the advancement of Black communications professionals, providing inspiration, guidance, mentorship and representation. The collective brought together under The Impression Campaign will work together to increase diversity within the public relations industry in Canada.

Taco Bell launches walk-thru job interviews to hire 100 people

Taco Bell is getting creative with its hiring campaign with a new ‘walk-thru' hiring experience.

Between June 7-11, interested candidates can visit 20 Taco Bell locations across Ontario for a socially distanced, on-the-spot interview. Candidates will be in and out in 15-20 minutes and will also be given some complimentary food-to-go. The locations hope to hire 100 roles across full-time, part-time and management positions.

Written by Crystal Kwon, principal at front+centre - a PR firm for challenger brands. If you want your work featured, email hi@frontandcentre.co