The annual meeting of the World Economic Forum starts tomorrow (January 26th) in Davos. Once again, my invitation seems to have been lost in the Christmas post. And unlike many politicians, I did actually study economics at University.
However, the world's movers and shakers will be moving and shaking together - in between the skiing and the parties - as they wrestle with some fairly weighty matters. And I don't just mean the wine list.
A report, ‘Global Risks 2011’, has been published ahead of the meeting. This makes the point that the world’s most advanced economies, including the UK, would be insolvent if they accounted properly for the pension and health pledges made to their ageing populations.
We are of course aware of the serious implications that an ageing population has at a macro-economic level. However, to see the issue presented in such stark terms makes for uneasy reading. If you can face more, you can download the report at www.weforum.org/globalrisks2011.
And if you would like to see this put into the context of marketing, why not read our own report - Marketing for an Ageing Population. This draws on more than 200 sources to provide an eminently readable introduction to the subject. It is available at no charge, subject to our approval of your request. More information is at www.rhcadvantage.co.uk/insight
Tuesday 25 January 2011
Intern position available at marketing agency, rhc advantage
Whether or not we agree with David Willetts that we baby boomers have stolen our children's future, we do feel that it is no bad thing to offer a helping hand to recent graduates, who - we are told - face challenging times.
Having said that, we posted this position on the Government website, Graduate Talent Pool, over a week ago, and have yet to receive a single reply.
Nevertheless, here is our attempt to reach out across the inter-generational divide. Graduates of any age are of course very welcome!
Marketing Intern
Employer - rhc advantage limited
You would also work with our associate company, rhc visual strategy, based at the same premises.
Job title - Account Executive
Closing date - 14/02/2011
Job categories - Advertising, Design & Marketing
Paid / unpaid - Paid
Salary - £15000 per annum pro rata
Job description - Reporting directly to a director, you will act as an account executive, taking responsibility and providing support for anything that needs doing to keep the agency running.
This could include working on client projects, helping with new business development, liaising with our creative team, partners and suppliers, and working on professional marketing and research projects.
This is a small, friendly company and you would be expected to do your share of whatever is required – including making the tea and answering the phone.
The role is for a fixed period of three months. If the successful candidate impresses, we will consider making this a permanent role.
You will work with experienced professionals, gain insight into how a marketing agency operates, work on some real live marketing projects, and enhance your CV.
Person requirements -
1. A graduate whose course has included marketing.
2. Graduate level literacy, numeracy and IT capabilities (i.e. MS Office suite).
3. Personal qualities - positive, enthusiastic and resourceful.
4. Experience - a demonstrable service ethos.
5. MUST be able to travel to and from our office in Odiham under your own steam.
6. Age is not an issue.
7. An excellent standard of spoken and written English is required, but this need not be your first language.
Degree requirements - An honours degree, which has included marketing.
Location(s) - The position will be based at our attractive offices – a converted coaching inn – located at 113, High Street, Odiham, Hampshire RG29 1LA
Full-time/part-time - Full-time
Start date - Immediate
Duration - 3 months and extendable into a permanent role if successful
About us - Please visit these websites: www.rhcadvantage.co.uk and www.rhc.uk.com
To apply - Please send your CV, together with a covering letter written in your own handwriting explaining why you are interested in this role, to: Mark Beasley, Managing Director, rhc advantage limited, 113 High Street, ODIHAM, Hants RG29 1LA
Having said that, we posted this position on the Government website, Graduate Talent Pool, over a week ago, and have yet to receive a single reply.
Nevertheless, here is our attempt to reach out across the inter-generational divide. Graduates of any age are of course very welcome!
Marketing Intern
Employer - rhc advantage limited
You would also work with our associate company, rhc visual strategy, based at the same premises.
Job title - Account Executive
Closing date - 14/02/2011
Job categories - Advertising, Design & Marketing
Paid / unpaid - Paid
Salary - £15000 per annum pro rata
Job description - Reporting directly to a director, you will act as an account executive, taking responsibility and providing support for anything that needs doing to keep the agency running.
This could include working on client projects, helping with new business development, liaising with our creative team, partners and suppliers, and working on professional marketing and research projects.
This is a small, friendly company and you would be expected to do your share of whatever is required – including making the tea and answering the phone.
The role is for a fixed period of three months. If the successful candidate impresses, we will consider making this a permanent role.
You will work with experienced professionals, gain insight into how a marketing agency operates, work on some real live marketing projects, and enhance your CV.
Person requirements -
1. A graduate whose course has included marketing.
2. Graduate level literacy, numeracy and IT capabilities (i.e. MS Office suite).
3. Personal qualities - positive, enthusiastic and resourceful.
4. Experience - a demonstrable service ethos.
5. MUST be able to travel to and from our office in Odiham under your own steam.
6. Age is not an issue.
7. An excellent standard of spoken and written English is required, but this need not be your first language.
Degree requirements - An honours degree, which has included marketing.
Location(s) - The position will be based at our attractive offices – a converted coaching inn – located at 113, High Street, Odiham, Hampshire RG29 1LA
Full-time/part-time - Full-time
Start date - Immediate
Duration - 3 months and extendable into a permanent role if successful
About us - Please visit these websites: www.rhcadvantage.co.uk and www.rhc.uk.com
To apply - Please send your CV, together with a covering letter written in your own handwriting explaining why you are interested in this role, to: Mark Beasley, Managing Director, rhc advantage limited, 113 High Street, ODIHAM, Hants RG29 1LA
Wednesday 12 January 2011
Has ageism finally come of age?
Former BBC presenter Miriam O'Reilly this week won an employment tribunal against the BBC on the grounds of ageism. Does this so-called 'landmark victory' herald a tipping point in the engrained ageist culture and practices of many organisations – not just the BBC, but business generally?
The 53-year-old claimed she had been unfairly dropped from the ‘Countryfile’ show when it moved to a primetime Sunday evening slot in April 2009. The tribunal heard that O'Reilly had been asked if it was "time for Botox" and was warned to be "careful with those wrinkles when high definition comes in".
This victory is obviously good news for all of us who believe that a continued focus on youth – not just in the media, but in business and marketing – is not just an issue of fairness, but one of poor economic judgement. As the UK population continues to age, the epicentre for almost any business is no longer younger people: in fact, the median age of UK adults is now 45.
Michelle Mitchell, charity director at Age UK, has said the outcome sent out "a powerful signal that even in the youth-worshipping world of showbusiness, age discrimination can be withstood". After all, O’Reilly is only one of a number of female TV presenters who have been sidelined with age – for example, Joan Bakewell and Selina Scott have also challenged the BBC on its attitudes to older women.
But why stop there?
Take advertising, for example. The IPA (Institute of Practitioners in Advertising) is due to release its annual agency survey later this month. There is no reason to suppose that this year will be any different to previous years – 50% of agency employees are aged under 30, while just 5% are aged over 50. That this is the result of an ageist culture and practices is undeniable and it can only contribute to an increased schism between many of the larger agencies and the needs of their clients.
In the same week that an 18 year old was jailed for two years for throwing a fire extinguisher off a roof, have we witnessed a tipping point in societal attitudes to age? Probably not, but it’s a significant step in the right direction.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
For the facts on the UK’s ageing population, and what marketers should do about it, ask for a free copy of our comprehensive research report.
www.rhcadvantage.co.uk info@rhcadvantage.co.uk
The 53-year-old claimed she had been unfairly dropped from the ‘Countryfile’ show when it moved to a primetime Sunday evening slot in April 2009. The tribunal heard that O'Reilly had been asked if it was "time for Botox" and was warned to be "careful with those wrinkles when high definition comes in".
This victory is obviously good news for all of us who believe that a continued focus on youth – not just in the media, but in business and marketing – is not just an issue of fairness, but one of poor economic judgement. As the UK population continues to age, the epicentre for almost any business is no longer younger people: in fact, the median age of UK adults is now 45.
Michelle Mitchell, charity director at Age UK, has said the outcome sent out "a powerful signal that even in the youth-worshipping world of showbusiness, age discrimination can be withstood". After all, O’Reilly is only one of a number of female TV presenters who have been sidelined with age – for example, Joan Bakewell and Selina Scott have also challenged the BBC on its attitudes to older women.
But why stop there?
Take advertising, for example. The IPA (Institute of Practitioners in Advertising) is due to release its annual agency survey later this month. There is no reason to suppose that this year will be any different to previous years – 50% of agency employees are aged under 30, while just 5% are aged over 50. That this is the result of an ageist culture and practices is undeniable and it can only contribute to an increased schism between many of the larger agencies and the needs of their clients.
In the same week that an 18 year old was jailed for two years for throwing a fire extinguisher off a roof, have we witnessed a tipping point in societal attitudes to age? Probably not, but it’s a significant step in the right direction.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
For the facts on the UK’s ageing population, and what marketers should do about it, ask for a free copy of our comprehensive research report.
www.rhcadvantage.co.uk info@rhcadvantage.co.uk
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