Hill & Knowlton launches scholarship fund to develop PR talent in China

Global PR agency partners with Shanghai Public Relations Association for sustainable growth of China’s emerging PR industry

SHANGHAI — International PR agency Hill & Knowlton (China) and the Shanghai Public Relations Association (SPRA) jointly announced today the official launch of the Shanghai PR Association Hill & Knowlton Scholarship. With the rapid growth of China’s public relations industry, the new scholarship fund aims to help cultivate the next generation of public relations talents and contribute to the future growth and development of the local PR industry.
Scholarship applications will be open to all universities and colleges in Shanghai. Each year, scholarships will be awarded to five seniors or postgraduates majoring in PR or communications who possess an outstanding academic record and a strong passion for a career in the PR industry.

All candidate recommendations must be submitted by relevant academic departments by July 30th. Hill & Knowlton will then review the candidate nominations and jointly select the winners with SPRA. The successful candidates will be announced to the public by September 30th.

Scholarship awards include an allowance of RMB 20,000 and a one-year internship opportunity at Hill & Knowlton for each recipient. Funding during the first four-year phase of this initiative will amount to RMB 400,000, and this will be fully contributed by Hill & Knowlton (China).

“We are pleased and excited to be supporting this initiative. As the first international PR agency to establish a presence in China, Hill & Knowlton has a deep understanding of the local market and the importance of contributing to the industry to ensure its successful growth and development,” said Mr. Mao Jingquan, Chairman of SPRA. “We believe the new scholarship award will encourage more young talents to join the PR industry.”

Mr. Mao also spoke about the wider implications and noted that by boosting the growth of the emerging public relations industry in Shanghai, “We are contributing to the further development of Shanghai as an important economic, financial, trade and shipping center.”
“Through this scholarship, we hope to offer a real life working experience for university students who have a genuine passion for PR,” said Mr. David Zhao, Managing Director of Hill & Knowlton Shanghai. “PR is about communications, but it’s also about people. It’s critical that we contribute to nurturing local talent in order to promote the healthy and sustainable development of the PR industry here.”

Established in 1927, Hill & Knowlton is one of the world’s biggest international public relations and communications consultancies, with more than 80 offices in 43 countries around the world. It was the first international PR agency to enter the China market, with the opening of its Beijing office in 1984. During the past 26 years, the agency has achieved significant milestones in the China market and successfully helped its clients implement communications strategies, as well as build up corporate and brand reputation. Hill & Knowlton was appointed the official public relations agency for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.