Woodrow, a communications consultancy, has launched its Woodrow PR Academy in Kenya.
The Academy aims to fill the skills gap in the PR industry and will run a series of free expert led workshops, backed by a curriculum addressing modern-day PR challenges. The first cohort of the academy is expected to commence in April 2024, with applications currently ongoing.
The workshops will be held both virtually and in person in Nairobi, and will cover various subjects. Top talents from international media groups like The Economist, Reuters and CNN will join Kenyan talent from CNBC and more to train participants.
Woodrow, with offices in Nairobi, London and New York, was recently recognized in the Financial Times as one of the fastest-growing companies in Europe. The consultancy will convene experts from multiple industries to nurture and upskill PR professionals across the East and Southern Africa region.
Speaking at the launch, David Karega, Head of East and Southern Africa at Woodrow stated, “In Kenya and across Africa, demand for skilled PR practitioners is at an all-time high. But many young professionals are not leaving institutions of higher learning with all the skills they need to thrive in the industry. We will offer programs that reflect the real-world challenges faced by PR professionals, ensuring all sessions remain relevant and aligned to industry demands”.
Some of the speakers already confirmed for 2024 include the following
- Winnie Dunbar – former producer of the Oprah Winfrey Show and an Emmy Award-Winning content creator.
- Jonathan Rosenthal – Africa Editor, The Economist.
- Jackson Biko – Author, creative writer and storytelling expert
- Aby Agina – Financial Markets Broadcast Journalist and Editor at CNBC Africa
- Karin Strohecker – Lead Correspondent, Emerging Markets at Thomson Reuters
- Ivy Kimani – Head of Communications, M-Gas and former Director for P&G’s Feminine Care brands in Sub-Saharan Africa
Jim Donaldson, Woodrow’s non-executive Chair and former CEO of global PR giant FleishmanHillard, will also present a special session for C-Suite leaders on how to build and empower a senior team.
Also present at the launch was Charlie Tarr, Founder and CEO of Woodrow who stated, “Consultancies like Woodrow have a duty to give back to the industry and nurture the next generation of talent. Our office in Nairobi has been growing so fast that it has opened our eyes to the challenges and opportunities on offer here. The academy is a testament to our commitment to the growth and prosperity of young practitioners, from Kenya to Namibia, South Africa to Somalia.