Bristol's Design Collective, Istoria Group and Purplefish join forces on industry taster

By Nicky Godding

11 April 2024

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Istoria Group - Agency Open Day

Bristol's creative quarter, Paintworks, welcomed collective of creative agencies Istoria Group and PR company Purplefish who teamed up to host a creative careers Agency Open Day.

The event, in partnership with social enterprise Babbasa, welcomed a total of 12 eager young people. This day-long event was an opportunity for anyone interested in a career within the design and/or PR industry.

The collaboration between Istoria Group and Purplefish was an effort to offer invaluable insights into the creative industry, particularly for individuals who may face barriers to accessing such opportunities. Both certified B Corp businesses, Istoria Group and Purplefish are committed to fostering inclusivity and breaking down barriers in the creative sector.

Sam Rowe, CEO of Istoria Group said: "This Open Day really portrays our shared commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a supportive environment for aspiring creatives. We're dedicated to providing pathways for individuals to thrive in the design industry."

Joanna Randall, Founder of Purplefish, commented: "At Purplefish, we believe in the power of mentorship and sharing knowledge for the next generations who will be working alongside us. Collaborating with Istoria Group for this Open Day has been incredibly rewarding, and we're thrilled to have provided aspiring professionals with a glimpse into the exciting world of PR."

The day's agenda was structured to offer participants a comprehensive overview of both design and PR. Beginning with Istoria Group's session, participants were tasked with choosing an experience to amplify, creating a unique brand experience, integrating design elements, and presenting their concepts to the judges.The winning team received Love Bristol gift cards, to spend locally and support Bristol businesses.

Following a lunch break, where the students were able to network with one another and members of the Istoria Group and Purplefish teams, the attendees headed to Purplefish. The PR workshops offered insights into crafting powerful news hooks, mastering social media marketing, and managing events.

Beyond the scheduled sessions, participants had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the agency atmosphere, gaining firsthand experience of the diverse and vibrant culture agency life has to offer.

The Agency Open Day also served as a platform for discussing future opportunities, including paid work placement opportunities in 2024 at Istoria Group and pathways to kickstart a career as a degree-level PRCA apprentice at Purplefish.

By Nicky Godding

Nicky Godding is editor of The Business Magazine. Before her journalism career, she worked mainly in public relations moving into writing when she was invited to launch Retail Watch, a publication covering retail and real estate across Europe.

After some years of constant travelling, she tucked away her passport and concentrated on business writing, co-founding a successful regional business magazine. She has interviewed some of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs who have built multi-million-pound businesses and reported on many science and technology firsts.

She reports on the region’s thriving business economy from start-ups, family businesses and multi-million-pound corporations, to the professionals that support their growth and the institutions that educate the next generation of business leaders.