Marcus Graham Project Announces Clients for 2013 Internship Program

DALLAS, Jan. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Marcus Graham Project, a national network of advertising, media and marketing professionals dedicated to the development of the next generation of thought leaders, announced today its pro bono partnership with two organizations that will work with the agency team developed by their 2013 iCR8 summer boot camp program.

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Each year the Marcus Graham Project (MGP) selects a non-profit organization as well as a start-up or small business that a group of highly motivates aspiring professionals will work diligently to answer the needs for their marketing challenges. The non-profit client for this next installment is Falling Whistles, a non-profit organization that launched with a simple response – make their weapon your voice and be a whistleblower for peace in Congo.

"When Falling Whistles started, we were a couple creative kids in a garage who wanted peace in Congo. As we traveled around the country, we found an entire generation who had creative potential and a desire to change the world, but didn't know how to get started," said Sean Carasso, Founder of Falling Whistles. "The Marcus Graham Project is bridging that disconnect. They're training young people to channel their potential so they can create whatever they want in the world. These 'kids' will create the movements of the future."

This next summer's start-up is a Lisnr, a company developed by former Proctor & Gamble brand manager, Rodney Williams. The Lisnr app allows audio to passively trigger fan interactions using a mobile device during the listening experience.

"As a marketer and advertiser first, I quickly resonated with the mission of the Marcus Graham Project," said Rodney Williams, CEO and founder of Lisnr. "Now as I transition and re-apply that passion and understanding to the tech start-up world, it is my pleasure to have these creative minds extend and grow my initial vision. Their impact will be extremely influential."

Entering its 5th year, the iCR8 Boot Camp is a summer-long leadership development program that provides young adults with an interest in marketing, media and advertising with the opportunity to gain the exposure and experience necessary to solidify careers within the industry.

"Each year we ensure that we select dynamic and game changing clients to include in the mix of assignments that our students work on," said Lincoln Stephens, co-founder of The Marcus Graham Project. "We are incredibly excited to partner with Falling Whistles and Lisnr to give this next group of young leaders the understanding of how their talent and craft in media can make a difference around the globe."  

Over the last three years the program has taken on clients such as AT&T, Rock The Vote, ABC (WFAA-Dallas), John Legend's non-profit The Show Me Campaign, and signature body care line forplai by Lamman Rucker.  

Graduates of the previous summers have now landed jobs at The Ohio State University; Wieden+Kennedy; Young & Rubicam (Y&R); Butler, Shine Stern and Partners (BSSP); commonground; Tribal DDB; Hill Holliday; RAPP; TPN; and The Richards Group.

Applications for the iCR8 Summer Boot Camp are now available and will be due February 8, 2013. Ideal candidates should seek to build resume experience, while gaining invaluable mentorship and knowledge about the marketing, media and advertising industry. The application can be downloaded at on the MGP website by clicking here.

Sponsorship opportunities for the summer boot camp are available for agencies, corporations, and private donors. For information on how to get involved and to request a sponsorship package, interested parties can email Lincoln Stephens at [email protected] or call (214) 810-6475.

About The Marcus Graham Project

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 Falling Whistles  

Falling Whistles is a campaign for peace in Congo. We sell the whistle as a symbol of protest & ask you: be a whistleblower for peace. We believe the solutions to Congo's problems come from those living within them. Together we are investing in Congolese visionaries and building a coalition to end our world's deadliest war. In 2008 we met 5 boys in eastern Congo. Former child-soldiers held in a military camp. One boy told us the story of children sent to the frontlines of war, armed with only a whistle. His story birthed our symbol. It was shared across the world with readers who wrote back asking - what do we do? We have not been silent since. With no home, no office and no plan - we began with $5 and a dream worth our everything. We pulled desks from dumpsters, put them in a garage, and launched a campaign toward peace in Congo. Most called it impossible. In three years we have invested in 8 Congolese visionaries and built a coalition of 35 Congressman, 16 Senators, 200 retailers and over 50,000 whistleblowers. We won't stop until we see the end to the deadliest war of our time. Join us and be a whistleblower for peace. www.fallingwhistles.com 

About Lisnr

Lisnr aims to change the way that consumers experience audio by turning what has previously been a passive experience into an interactive engagement platform. Currently, Lisnr provides musicians with a new way to engage with their fans and provides advertisers a new way to partner with musicians through their music. Lisnr plans to scale multiple verticals bringing the same kind of interaction to all forms of audio engagement including live events, broadcast television and film. Follow us at @Lisnr Http://lisnr.com

Contact:
Lincoln Stephens
(972)897-9985
[email protected]

SOURCE The Marcus Graham Project