APO Group Communications Curriculum launched to empower professionals working in Africa

APO Group (https://APO-opa.com/), the premier Pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, is pleased to announce the introduction of its innovative Communications Curriculum. This curriculum is intended to assist hundreds of communications professionals in Africa in developing their expertise in all facets of public relations, media relations, and content strategy.

The pro-bono initiative has been in operation since May 2023 as a result of the APO Group’s long-standing relationships with Rugby Africa, the organization that oversees rugby in Africa, and the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), the organization that oversees the pastoral work of the Roman Catholic Church in Africa.

More than 130 trainees from 30 different nations will participate in the 18-month curriculum. More than 60 hours of online training will be provided to them by some of the most recognized and respected employees of APO Group, all of whom have worked with some of the company’s largest clients, including FIFA, the Jack Ma Foundation, Nestle, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, and many more.

Communications Curriculum

The curriculum was carefully designed. Participants will obtain a comprehensive understanding of the media landscape by learning about topics ranging from fundamentals like The Fundamentals of Media Types and Content Distribution to more specialized topics like Business Writing in a Digital Age and Gen Z Engagement and Communication.

The APO Group Communications Curriculum also includes appearances from seasoned guest speakers who are employed by internationally renowned media outlets like CNN, the BBC, Al Jazeera, and Euronews. These speakers will offer firsthand knowledge of what the media are looking for from communications specialists working in Africa.

Media literacy, according to Joo Gaspar Marques, Director of Strategy at APO Group and a mentor for the program, is a crucial skill in today’s corporate environment. He said, “Our training is designed to give these institutions the fundamental skills they need to flourish in the constant barrage of information sweeping the media environment. “At APO Group, we aspire to improve the Public Relations and Communications industry by imparting our wealth of expertise, promoting a professional culture, and developing talent across all industries.

Over the course of several years, APO Group has developed strong working partnerships with Rugby Africa and the Roman Catholic Church. It offers assistance with a wide range of communication services, such as press release dissemination, interview facilitation, press conference facilitation, and networking possibilities. The new curriculum will encourage the creation of more high-quality material, all of which APO Group will then disseminate for free to ensure that the organizations’ stories are heard widely.

In Africa, there is a sizable potential audience for both Rugby Africa and the Catholic Church. Three of the six rugby nations in the world with the fastest growth rates are from Africa, making rugby one of the most popular sports on the continent.

Similar to this, the 236 million Catholics in Africa account for almost 20% of all Catholics worldwide and are the fastest-growing Catholic area in the world. According to the World Christian Database, 32% of all Catholics worldwide are expected to be from Africa by the year 2050.

The media relations specialists at APO Group are collaborating closely with the communications teams at Rugby Africa and SECAM to help them achieve excellence in communication management. The teams should have all the necessary abilities by the end of the 18-month program in order to succeed in the challenging African media environment.

The APO Group Communication Curriculum provides the following:
Wide-ranging expertise APO Group employees that have in-depth expertise and practical experience working with journalists across Africa provide training sessions.

Exclusive Information The program features guest speakers from prestigious organizations including CNN, the BBC, Al Jazeera, Euronews, and many more thanks to APO Group’s extensive network of media experts.
Online Shipping: The program’s curriculum was created with busy professionals in mind, and training sessions were offered online so that trainees from all over Africa could take part and profit.
Language Support: The language of instruction for all sessions is English, with simultaneous translation into French.

Comprehensive Curriculum: The program includes a wide range of subjects that are crucial for succeeding in the field of media relations and communications.
Wide Range: Over 130 Rugby Africa and SECAM members have signed up for the initial program, resulting in a diverse and stimulating learning environment. This broad reach also encourages networking chances, allowing participants to meet and gain knowledge from one another.
Certification of Completion: At the conclusion of the program, participants who successfully complete all lessons will be given a certificate of completion. This accreditation attests to their commitment and newly acquired knowledge, enhancing their professional reputation and enhancing their capacity to meet the expectations of the media sector.

The program has received overwhelmingly excellent feedback since its May introduction. Trainees have described the sessions as “very useful,” “most engaging,” “exceptional,” and “crucial to our professional journey.”

The APO Group team is benefiting greatly from taking part in the training.

Rosemary Otalor, an Account Director at APO Group located in Nigeria, said, “Giving back to society in any way I can is one of my core values, and I am lucky to work in an organization that not only understands, but actually practices this principle.” “I am appreciative that I have the chance to share some of the knowledge I have accumulated over the years. I benefit from it in both ways.

According to Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, founder and chairman of the APO Group (www.Pompigne-Mognard.com), “I want to express my sincere gratitude to every single member of the APO Group team who is actively participating in this pro-bono initiative.” Sharing professional knowledge and skills is a really fulfilling experience that gives us a special chance to genuinely improve the lives of 130 communications professionals. Together with the abundance of knowledge present on the team, our coworkers have created a curriculum that is absolutely unmatched. In addition to having a beneficial influence on individuals who participate, our coworkers also make a contribution to a goal that our entire organization can be proud of.

The APO Group employees who created and are teaching the curriculum include [alphabetically]: Lerato Chiyangwa, Former Vice President: Editorial and Content Strategy (South Africa), Emeka Enyadike, Account Director (South Africa), Hussain Ali, Head of Design (Pakistan), Yasmina Ndella Bileoma, Account Director (Senegal), Lindsay Farley, Account Manager (Kenya), Christian Gwandure, Project Lead (South Africa), Lynne Krawchuk, Vice President of Digital, PR and Media Relations (South Africa) Bonnie Robinson, Director: Content Strategy and Copy Editing, Joo Gaspar Marques, Director of Strategy (Portugal), Abhishek Mukherjee, Digital Marketing Manager (India), Ekene Nwakonobi, Account Manager (Nigeria), Rosemary Ngozi Otalor, Account Director (Nigeria), and Beatrice Tonhodzayi, Senior Account Manager (Zimbabwe).

Michelle Scott, Senior Executive Assistant to Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, Founder & Chairman of APO Group (South Africa), is in charge of the entire project.