The founder of a talent agency dedicated to helping people from disadvantaged backgrounds to build their brand in media and sport, has been awarded a £150,000 prize from an ad agency.
The Havas Media Network UK programme, called Havas Boost, aims to support entrepreneurs from less advantaged communities around the UK who are making, or will make, a meaningful difference to the world. The programme was launched in 2021 and relocated to Manchester in 2024 to bring it closer to the communities it aspires to impact.
Following a Dragon’s Den-style pitch, where six inspiring entrepreneurs presented their business proposals to the Havas Boost panel – which Sian Gabbidon, winner of The Apprentice in 2018 – Havas Media Network named Christina (also known as Tina Rehana) Taylor as the winner of Havas Boost Business.
Taylor is the founder of Aim Sky High (ASH) Talent, an agency dedicated to helping individuals in media and sports build their personal brands.
The agency has a strong focus on supporting underrepresented communities, particularly ethnic minorities and women. Aim Sky High Talent addresses significant representation gaps in media and sports, with a special emphasis on empowering women’s sports.
As a mixed Bangladeshi and Black female founder, Taylor has built an agency that leverages strong community ties to scout and support talent from underrepresented backgrounds.
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The agency’s clients include England goalkeeper Mary Earps, while it also worked on projects such as Stormzy’s Wireless Festival performance.
Through a £150K growth package, comprising cash and media services, Havas Media Network will harness its expertise, particularly through Havas Play and its influencer and talent division, to elevate Aim Sky High Talent’s profile.
Taylor said: “Winning this competition is exactly what we needed at this time. Partnering with an agency like Havas Media Network will provide us with the expertise and industry connections essential for our growth. We’ve come this far on our own, but I’m confident this collaboration will elevate us to new heights, enabling us to continue driving meaningful change in the industry.”
Havas Media Network chief growth officer and programme founder Nick Wright said: “Watching the passion and innovation of the entrepreneurs at the final pitch day was truly inspiring. Tina and Aim Sky High Talent stood out for embodying the same values we cherish at Havas Media Network —social mobility, inclusion, and a relentless drive to create positive change.”
In October this year, Havas secured Nomad Foods’ mammoth pan-European creative account, worth an estimated £62 million at the conclusion of a competitive pitch process.
Recent financial results from Havas show that its net revenue has declined by 0.5% in the third quarter this year, down to £541million.
