The Marcus Graham Project Appoints RAPP Branding and Website Agency

NEW YORK, March 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Marcus Graham Project (MGP), a national network of marketing professionals dedicated to the development of the next generation of thought leaders, has named global marketing agency RAPP its branding agency of record. RAPP will handle overall branding and website design and development on a pro-bono basis.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080917/NYW090LOGO)

MGP's mission is to promote diversity within the industry and foster talent among future professionals. The organization's primary initiatives are to identify, mentor and train ethnically diverse youth and young adults in all aspects of the media industry, including advertising, entertainment and marketing. MGP aims to provide long-term access to information, technology, financial and people resources to help future young professionals develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed.

"We're looking forward to working with RAPP to build awareness and support in our campaign to promote positive change in the industry," said Lincoln Stephens, founder and program director of The Marcus Graham Project. "Within the first two planning meetings alone, the team at RAPP has helped us think about our brand in a completely new way. Their assistance and expertise has allowed us to continue dreaming bigger with regard to how we will impact the next generation."

"We're excited about teaming up with The Marcus Graham Project on such an important initiative," said Tracey Brown, Managing Director of RAPP Dallas. "We are passionate about redefining the advertising industry and committed to helping develop the industry's next generation of diverse thought leaders."

A newly named Advisory Board for the 2011-2013 term provides management advice and leads the direction of the company. Over the next three years, specific goals will be securing operational funding for the overall program, launching a national awareness campaign among college-aged students, forming the ground work for localized chapters, fully launching a GO FUND Travel Scholarship program and The Jacqueline Factor, an initiative focused on the empowerment of women in the advertising, marketing and media industry.

New MGP Advisory Board members include:

• Rick Boyko, VCU Brandcenter / Director/Professor
• Tracey D. Brown, EVP, Managing Director at RAPP
• Nakeisha S. Ferguson, Ph.D Assistant Professor of Marketing at University of St. Thomas
• Malcolm Gillian, SVP Branded Entertainment at Relevent
• Heather James, Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer at The Advertising Research Foundation
• Howard R. Jean, Executive Director, Call Me MISTER program, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
• George Medland, Resource Allocation Manager, JWT
• Buff Parham, Senior Vice President – Sales, Univision Communications
• Scott Perkins, Assistant Vice President – Policy Advertising at AT&T
• Kevin Swanepoel, President of The One Club
• Tiffany R. Warren, Senior Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer at Omnicom Group and Founder of ADCOLOR® and The ADCOLOR® Awards
• Jason White, Global Account Director, Wieden + Kennedy

About The Marcus Graham Project

The Marcus Graham Project is a national network of diverse professionals who have purposed themselves in developing the next generation of thought leadership within the advertising, media and marketing industry. The vision of The Marcus Graham Project (MGP) is to provide long-term access to information, technology, financial and people resources that will strategically develop a viable pool of talent and leadership within the industry. The Marcus Graham Project is a 501 (c) 3 organization. More information about MGP can be found at: www.marcusgrahamproject.org.

About RAPP

RAPP is one of the largest multi-channel marketing services networks in the world. RAPP creates brand experiences that change how people talk, act and feel about brands. These experiences utilize traditional, digital, social and mobile media, as well as new technologies and invented media. The network is comprised of more than 50 offices in 30 countries and is a unit of the Omnicom Group, Inc. www.rapp.com

SOURCE RAPP