Havas Media Network UK is relaunching the Havas Boost programme in an effort to attract and train up new diverse talent to both the charity sector and the media industry alongside its existing entrepreneurship stream.
The expanded programme, which is relocating to Manchester to bring the scheme closer to the communities it aspires to attract, is part of HMN UK’s ongoing commitment to being a force for good inside and outside the advertising industry.
The original Havas Boost was launched in 2021 to support entrepreneurs from less advantaged communities around the country, who are making or will make a meaningful difference to the world we live in.
Following the success of the programme, HMN UK has expanded Havas Boost to cover three distinct streams where HMN UK can use its size and scale to be a force for good.
Firstly, it will support businesses that are 2 to 3 years old with a demonstrable purpose beyond profit and founded by people from disadvantage socio-economic backgrounds. Secondly, it will support underrepresented talent in entering the media and advertising industry through 15 six-month long mentorship placements. And, finally, next year it will launch a scheme to will support charities with masterclasses to help local organisations build on their media skills, reach and knowledge.
The expanded Havas Boost programme will be supported by the largest accredited Chamber of Commerce in the UK with over 4,000 members, The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, and the award-winning advertising and media charity, Media Trust.
HMN UK has also enhanced the experience of entrepreneurs taking part in the Boost Business programme. Ten entrepreneur applicants will be invited to pitch their ideas in a Dragon’s Den-style judging chamber during Global Entrepreneurship Week (November 18-25). Budding entrepreneurial talent from the North West region solicited by Havas Play UK will select the top four.
Havas Boost’s board, chaired by chief growth officer Nick Wright, who led the evolution of Havas Boost, will select the eventual winner who stands to benefit from £150,000 of support in the form of cash, media value and resource support.
An OOH and digital advertising campaign has been created by HMN’s in-house design and marketing team to create awareness and mark the relocation.
The campaign will be live for two weeks across Manchester, including Piccadilly Gateway, Manchester One, Piccadilly Gardens and Printworks with £150,000 of media donated by JC Decaux, Ocean Outdoor, MiQ, Teads, Loop Me, Reach, Clear Channel and Limited Space.
The campaign harnesses HMN UK’s proprietary AI-powered marketing engagement platform, Converged, launched this year, to identify, locate and target the most relevant audiences.
Havas Media Manchester joint-general manager James Reddington said: “Around a fifth of the UK’s advertising workforce works out of London and sometimes it can feel the economy is similarly lopsided.
“The advertising industry has a privileged position as a key growth driver of the whole UK economy, which means we have a responsibility to be the sea that lifts all boats. Our evolution and expansion of Havas Boost are part of our commitment to drive meaningful change within and outside our industry.”
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