Leading Manchester integrated communications agency, One, has launched the North West’s first LGBTQ+ marketing professionals’ network to champion diversity within the communications industry.
The network will host a series of events including discussion panels with thought leaders and networking sessions, as well as other inclusivity workshops throughout the year.
To coincide with Manchester Pride in August, One Brand Magic is hosting a launch event with Dr Carl Austin-Behan, LGBT Advisor to the Mayor of Greater Manchester and the former first openly gay Lord Mayor of Manchester.
The free event, which takes place at Whitworth Locke on Thursday 22nd August, 6pm to 9pm, will be a celebration of the North West’s LGBTQ+ marketing and communications industry and is open to all.
Alex Hamilton, head of PR & social at One, said:
“As an integrated marketing agency that’s undertaken endless campaigns since our inception in 1973, it’s important for us to practice what we preach and support the diverse communities we are targeting on behalf of our client base “We’re looking forward to bringing the industry together to discuss how we, as the North West, can help promote LGBTQ+ representation.
“We have ambitions for Everyone+ to be the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ for the community and with Manchester Pride just around the corner and increased awareness of LGBT rights following the recent 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, it seemed the right time to launch.
Everyone+ has been conceived and developed by Mark Carrington, PR account executive at One. He adds: “As a member of the LGBTQ+ community working in my first role within the marketing industry it quickly became important for me to surround myself with others in a similar position and work with them to help members of the community who are often forgotten about.
“While it’s great to see brands supporting Pride, if you look past the branded socks, sandwiches and the myriad of other products and read about the many homophobic attacks that have taken place in recent months, the need for a support network and a place where you are encouraged to be yourself is crucially apparent.”
To register your interest in the launch event on Thursday 22nd August, please click here Everyone.eventbrite.co.uk.