As an experienced communications specialist, publicist and strategist, McEwen-Powell says that nurturing young, creative talent is critical to ensuring the sustainability of the communications industry.

"The upskilling of young talent is very close to my heart. The communications space relies heavily on fresh thinking and the ability to find unique ways of doing things. It's only by tapping into the insights that young people bring to the table can we remain relevant and avoid becoming industry dinosaurs," says McEwen-Powell.

McEwen-Powell adds, "The sad reality is this: Seasoned communications professionals with busy schedules don’t always find the time to identify, mentor and develop young talent. COVID-19 — with its lockdowns and restrictions — made this process even more challenging and, sadly, many mentorship and internship programmes fell by the wayside."

The Eclipse Communications mentorship initiative will give three young candidates access to McEwen-Powell’s knowledge and insights into aspects of the communications industry. The programme will incorporate monthly engagements with McEwen-Powell, who will aim to guide them in honing not only their communications skills, but their business and entrepreneurial skills too. 

According to Eclipse Communications, in addition to being passionate about the industry, McEwen-Powell is an astute entrepreneur and businessperson. At the age of 26, she launched Meier & McEwen, which later became Eclipse PR and, now, Eclipse Communications.

The agency says that she is the driving force behind strategy development at Eclipse Communications’ consumer and lifestyle and arts and entertainment business units. Under her leadership, the agency garnered several accolades, including PRISMs, Loeries, New Generation and Creative Circle Awards

The agency’s most recent acknowledgements include the 2020 PRISM Best Large PR Consultancy Award and the 2020 Public Relations Agency of the Year Award at the FM AdFocus Awards.

"Everything Eclipse Communications does is underpinned by a 'guiding your growth' philosophy. This applies to our employees as much as it applies to our clients. When it comes to nurturing young talent, I cannot emphasise enough how mentorship and internship programmes can benefit the country and businesses," says McEwen-Powell.

"This particular initiative is mentorship for driven young PR professionals and not an internship or offer of employment. It’s an opportunity for young people who want to elevate their skills to new heights to take advantage of my many years of experience to grow their own knowledge and skills bases," she adds.

McEwen-Powell says, "At Eclipse Communications, we hire for attitude and train for skill. Most importantly, communications specialists need to be critical thinkers, as well as flexible, creative and resilient."

"I don’t believe in waiting for things to happen to you. I believe in going after what you want with a good healthy mix of creativity and strategic insight," she concludes.

How to become a mentee:
  • Be a 25-year-old (or younger) aspiring PR professional.
  • Write a 250-word motivational letter on why McEwen-Powell should be your mentor and what you hope to achieve from the mentorship programme.
  • The letter must include an up-to-date CV and profile image. 
  • Entries must be submitted to [email protected] between Saturday, 1 May and Saturday, 22 May.
  • All mentorship sessions will be conducted via Zoom/Google Hangouts, once a month.
  • All prospective entries must have a stable internet connection and laptop or PC to engage in these mentorship sessions.

Eclipse Communications would like applicants to note that the mentorship initiative is not linked to employment at the agency but for young PR talent looking for supplementary mentorship sessions to grow in their profession.

For more information, visit www.eclipscomms.com. You can also follow Eclipse Communications on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram