KEDGE launches a new public speaking competition: EloK

At the initiaAtive of students in the MSc Marketing programme, KEDGE and its Media Lab have launched a new public speaking contest: EloK. Conducted by Virginie Martin, political science and sociology professor at KEDGE, and sponsored by Bruno Gaccio, the actor and scriptwriter behind the "Guignols de l'info" on Canal+, EloK is innovative as to its choice of offbeat subjects. It also has a panel of renowned judges. 

The competition consists of several elimination rounds, and begins on Friday 4 December with the final round being held in February. The first qualifying session will be held remotely. 50 candidates from different programmes of the school were selected from applicants who responded to the call for applications launched in mid-October.

Absurd subjects

Subjects were chosen by the organising committee made of Virginie Martin, Bruno Gaccio, the Clepsydre Association, and the two students behind the project: the very quirky Cassandre Athenoux and Nadia Boursas. The competition’s objective is to test students on their aptitude for facing challenges. 

“The subjects chosen for the two orals are closer to those of Queneau and Devos tan classic subjects. We want to surprise the participants with subjects that are picked at random and force the students quasi-improvise with their speeches based on their own verve, style, and personality,” explained Virginie Martin.        

A choice jury that also has a coaching role

The diversity of profiles that make up the jury (artists, actors, authors, politicians, professionals, experts, and regulars in the field of television and communication) will be an asset in evaluating the candidates’ performances. They are: 

• Bruno Gaccio, Editorial Director of the "Guignols de l'info" for 15 years, and event sponsor of the event,
• Eva Darlan, actress,
• Didier Davitian, communication counsellor,
• Jean-Loup Horwitz, actor,
• Saïd, member of the IAM group ,
• Benoit Payan, First Deputy Mayor of the Marseille,
• Sylvie Brunet, European Deputy, and
• Professors from the KEDFE (Aurélie Dehling, marketing; Laurence Lepoder, economy; Katia Richomme Huet, strategy; and Virginie Martin, political science and sociology.
   

Since the beginning of November, participants have benefited from the experience and advice of members of the jury and perfect their abilities through coaching sessions. Included in the training sessions are balanced in regard to the different phases of a speech and non-verbal communication to work on one's breathing.

About Virginie Martin:

Virginie Martin holds a doctorate in Political Science and is qualified to direct research in management sciences. She has been a professor of political science and sociology at KEDGE since 2000. Her work focuses on issues of democracy, representation, citizenship, and political radicalism. She is particularly interested in the construction of identities and discrimination, especially concerning gender, sexism, national origin, and culture. She regularly appears in the national and international media and is associated with the Education, Communication and Culture Section at the Economic, Social and Environmental Council.

Virginie runs the Kedge Media Lab and is in charge of this speaking competition. She has authored several academic papers and essays, including: "Ce monde qui nous échappe; pour un universalisme des différences" (This world that escapes us; for a universalism of differences), “ “ “Talents gâchés ; le coût économique des discriminations" (Wasted talents: the economic costs of discrimination) (2015, publisher: l’Aube).

About the KEDGE Media Lab:

The Media Lab is a workgroup composed of KEDGE professors whose objective is to act on today’s political, economic, geopolitical, and international news. These professors are experts in subjects that include sociology, marketing, management, human resources, CSR, finance, the economy, and entrepreneurship.

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