Tom and Sarah recently joined forces with a group of university students for a PR masterclass with a twist. 
This collaboration brought together the fresh perspectives of Journalism students from the University of Worcester, with our accountancy and business support knowledge, resulting in a successful public relations exercise for all involved. 
 
Led by Ruby Edwards, owner of You Do Better PR agency, third-year Journalism students delved into the intricacies of Abaqus’ operations. From scrutinising our website to evaluating client services, the students embarked on a journey to conceptualise innovative social media, branding and content ideas tailored to enhance Abaqus' public relations profile. 
For Tom, this initiative presented a valuable opportunity to gain insights from budding journalists. "Involving the university in a real-time client pitch allowed us to benefit from a journalistic perspective, enhancing our understanding of how we can better serve our clients," 
 
The students, too, found immense value in the collaboration. Milan Laljani, a UoW student, expressed enthusiasm about the creative freedom the brief offered. "Exploring social media, analytics, and content creation allowed us to breathe life into our assessments," Laljani shared. 
Another student, Fran Bicknell, found it useful to have hands-on experience of designing a new logo for Abaqus. "This task broadened my understanding of PR, emphasising the importance of professionalism in branding and client communication," noted Bicknell. 
 
Rachel Ammonds, Course Leader for Journalism at UoW, stressed the significance of such industry collaborations in enhancing students' employability. "Participating in practical projects like these not only hones their media and creative skills but also opens doors to diverse career opportunities," explained Ammonds. 
 
The joint project, brainchild of Ruby Edwards: “forged working relationships between academia and industry, enriched not only the educational experiences but also fostered innovation and growth in businesses like Abaqus Ltd. A great project to work on and we’re grateful to Christine Challand and all at the UoW. Thank you.” 
 
Please keep an eye on local press coverage for more about the project. 
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