Ever wonder what life is like working as a PR? Here is your chance to find out. This week Senior Account Manager Rebecca takes you through a typical day in PR.
Mornings…
My mornings start bright and early with a cup of tea whilst I scroll through any client or industry emails that have come through overnight, then it’s off to catch the tram into town. I use the journey to answer emails and think through my key tasks for the day, as well as check for any exciting coverage hits across my accounts.
Client management is an important part of my job, making sure we’re consistently delivering results that are above and beyond expectation, keeping track of our KPIs and making sure we’re on budget. I like to use the mornings to check in with clients, as well as to catch up with my teams across PR and social on actions for the week and how our campaigns are performing. At any level in PR, organisation is key, I therefore make sure I plot out my to do list each morning to help ensure deadlines are being met and key campaigns are being implemented.
At Carousel we’re lucky to work across a really exciting mix of clients – from best-selling toy brands to the UK’s leading at-home beauty tech brand, this means our days can be very varied!
Toys are a big part of my portfolio, working with MGA Entertainment and Zapf Creation across a range of brands. I’ve recently been working on a major partnership with Olympian swimmer Rebecca Adlington for the Baby Annabell Learns to Swim doll. We launched the partnership with an exclusive swimming lesson at London’s Olympic Pool – it was certainly an experience our press will never forget and one of the most adorable launch events I’ve ever done!
Afternoons…
Carousel are definitely a ‘foody’ agency, and with so many lunch options available to us in the Northern Quarter there’s often intense discussion around where to go each day! Firm favourites currently include Oke Poke, West Corner and Ezra & Gill.
With Christmas fast approaching my afternoons are currently spent pushing through our final Autumn/Winter campaigns and reaffirming our PR and social strategies ahead of the key Christmas sales period.
In the fast-moving world of PR, we’ll be in 2018 before we know it, so I’m also starting to focus on proposals for Spring 2018. Writing proposals is our chance to think outside the box and be as creative as possible. The process often starts with a whole agency brainstorm, encouraging everyone to get involved no matter how big or small the ideas are. I’ll then work the best ones up into a considered proposal tailored to our particular objectives for the client – whether it’s to drive sales, build brand awareness or achieve national coverage. Whilst we like to think big, it is essential to also be realistic within your budget – you might have an incredible idea however if it’s unreachable within the limits of your budget it is no use to your client.
I usually leave the office at around 6.30pm after making sure I’ve ticked off my list, but for those late nights working on event logistics or pitch decks the office bar is always a welcome perk!
Best piece of advice…
Know your media! Whether you’re a PR Assistant or an Account Manager, make sure you get to know the key media within your sectors. Take them for a coffee, make sure you’re regularly checking in with them, congratulate them on a promotion or new role, and over time they will come to know you as a reliable source of information or ideas when working on specific features.
If you’re interested in hearing more about roles at Carousel PR, contact rebecca.newman@carouselpr.com
