In a significant move to tackle unemployment among fresh graduates, the emerging talent initiative Pitch Perfect has announced a strategic partnership with several leading public relations and marketing agencies in Nigeria.
Industry Giants Join Forces for Talent Development
The collaboration brings together Chain Reactions Africa, Integrated Indigo, YD Company, and RedWolf as partner agencies working directly with Pitch Perfect to create pathways for young communication professionals. This partnership aims to address the critical experience gap that often prevents qualified graduates from securing entry-level positions in the competitive communications industry.
Founded by three Pan-Atlantic University master's students—Abdulai Kareemat, Olujide Oluwadamilola, and Hope Idume-David—Pitch Perfect emerged from observing the struggles faced by undergraduates and fresh graduates who demonstrate strong academic performance but cannot secure roles due to lack of practical experience.
Real-World Experience Through Live Pitches
The initiative provides participants with hands-on learning opportunities through real-life communication briefs and live pitching sessions before esteemed industry judges. The judging panel included prominent figures such as Ayoola Ogunyomi (Group Strategy Director, Chain Reactions Africa), Jesujoba Popoola (Deputy Creative Director, Noah's Ark Communications Limited), and Samuel Adesola (Creative Art Director, RedWolf).
Top performers in these pitching competitions receive direct internship placements, mentorship opportunities, and practical experience within the partner organizations. This approach ensures participants gain relevant skills that significantly enhance their employability and professional readiness.
Comprehensive Workplace Preparation
Beyond agency partnerships, Purple360 has joined as the official training partner, conducting intensive workplace-readiness clinics for selected candidates. These one-day sessions cover essential professional skills including workplace etiquette, client management, creative problem-solving, and effective communication strategies.
The conveners emphasized that Pitch Perfect gives young communicators a platform to prove themselves directly to industry leaders. Through demonstrating their capabilities in real-time scenarios, participants can bypass traditional employment barriers and gain immediate industry recognition.
This industry-wide support reflects the growing commitment among Nigerian communications agencies to nurture emerging talent and strengthen the future of the profession. By collaborating with Pitch Perfect, these organizations are helping shape a more inclusive, skilled, and industry-ready generation of communication professionals.
The initiative plans to expand its network of partners and continue fostering collaboration between academia and industry, ensuring sustainable talent growth across Nigeria's communications ecosystem. The project was conducted as part of the authors' Project-Based Internship requirement for the MSc Media and Communication program at Pan-Atlantic University's School of Media and Communication.
