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Keep talent in Manchester!

Masters scheme winners announced

TEN students from Greater Manchester universities have battled it out against their peers to win a place on Manchester Masters, a unique programme designed to attract and retain the world’s best creative talent in the City.

This year’s winners are Christopher 'Jamie' Goodwin, Lauren Hurford, and Steven Hough from Manchester Metropolitan University, and Julia Bailey, Kaylie Sands, Nikki Hughes, Nikolay Piryankov, Sarah Jane Edwards, Sophie Russell, and Tom Barlow from the University of Manchester.

To gain their place on this highly-competitive programme, each entrant made a short video which was assessed by a panel of judges. The shortlisted applicants were then invited to take part in an ‘X-Factor’ style contest of creativity and business acumen judged by some of the region’s top industry representatives and leaders.

Manchester United

The ten lucky finalists will complete four paid placements throughout the year, working in a variety of PR, advertising, marketing, digital and other creative roles within a wide range of leading Manchester companies, including Pets at Home, Manchester United, theEword and True North.

The students also undertake a fee free masters degree from Manchester Metropolitan Business School and live rent free in a city centre apartment.

Lauren Hurford, 21, a final year BA Events Management student, from Anglesea, said: "When I heard I was in the final ten, I thought I had won the Lottery. Manchester Masters will really open a lot of doors and allow me to stay in the city that I love.

"The Event Management Course at MMU has given me a great deal of pactical experience along with the theory, including a fantastic placement year in the USA!"

Job concerns

22-year-old Jamie Goodwin, who will graduate form BSc Business information Technology said: "It’s a worrying time in the job market, so to get a place on such a prestigious scheme is brilliant. It's also nice to have the apartment, the travel card and the money to make sure we are comfortable.

Jamie, from Shrewsbury, added: "I’ve used my connections at University to get some web design work, and helped create the first database used by MMU's Creative Manchester project."

21-year-old Steve Hough, from Stafford said: “My Marketing Management degree at MMU has helped give me a great theoretical base on which to start my Marketing career.

"MM is the most unique opportunity with different placements and great networking opportunities. It also allows you to sample different industries and keep your options open for the future.”

Tipped for the top

Sandy Lindsay, project director for MM and managing director at Tangerine PR said: "Our final ten showed they have the mettle, talent and intelligence to do well in a competitive industry.”

Lindsay Halliday, Placement Manager & Careers Advisor at MMU Business School, said: "It's a fantastic opportunity to gain hands on experience in four different companies whilst having the support from a well respected business mentor. All this plus being able to study towards a Masters degree really will give these students the best possible start in their careers."

-Ends-

Notes to editors
• Manchester Masters is Manchester’s first integrated marketing graduate programme
• The project has been created to attract and retain the best talent to Manchester
• Through the programme, ten finalists take part in four paid placements throughout the year, working in a variety of PR, advertising, marketing, digital and other creative roles within a wide range of leading Manchester companies
• Students also undertake a free masters degree from Manchester Metropolitan Business School, meaning each student will finish the programme having gained invaluable industry experience and further educational excellence
• Manchester Masters is jointly funded by NESTA, the Northwest Regional Development Agency and Manchester City Council and was initiated through Manchester: Knowledge Capital's Innovation Manchester programme.

Published Thursday, 25th February 2010