What is your career background?
I graduated with a degree in English Literature wrote to a few record companies and became a not very glamorous sounding 'industrial placement' at Warner Music. I worked across the PR & Marketing function for 6 months on an expenses only basis and then when an opening materialised I became a permanent member of the company with the job title of Press Assistant. I worked across 4 record labels and was involved in all aspects of PR and promotions. I stayed with Warners for 5 years working my way up to Press Officer and eventually Press Manager for the 4 record labels. From Warners I went to the BBC where I worked as a PR for music and arts programmes (across radio and TV) and I stayed there for three years before being tempted to leave 'auntie' and take up a position at NatMag as Press Manager for Harper's Bazaar (or Harper's & Queen as it was then) and Esquire. I've been in my current role for two years.
What attracted you to NatMag?
I was attracted by the challenge of working for two very different, unique magazines and also by the passion and vision of the Publisher. Editors and teams I would be working with. It was also very clear that the magazines would be going through a number of changes, including, in the case of Harpers, being renamed Harper's BAZAAR. This had massive implications in terms of corporate, media and consumer PR and it was exciting to help steer the magazine through this change. Given the number of campaigns & events that provide an opportunity for PR and the fact that each monthly issue of the magazines require the content to be promoted, it was obvious that this role would be diverse and demanding.
What does you role involve?
I provide PR support across the board in relation to Harper's BAZAAR & Esquire. I try to place articles, news pieces and photo stories in the press in order to raise the profile of the magazine. I handle corporate and media PR when it is required and consumer PR. I also deal with paparazzi and celebrity diarists when we have events in order to maximise coverage. I regularly meet with outside journalists in order to pitch stories and make external contacts. Highlights have included the Harper's Bazaar & Chanel Businesswomen of the Year Awards, Harper's 100 Most Beautiful and the Harper's Bazaar Shoe Survey, all of which received copious amounts of coverage. When the magazine was renamed Harper's BAZAAR (a move which took us back to our roots and meant that we had sister BAZAAR titles internationally) it was my job to communicate this message to the media and industry press as well as try to reach consumers with stories that would stress the name change and show that Harper's BAZAAR is a high-fashion title which also has interesting features in every monthly issue.
What is the best thing about working for NatMag
Working for one of the fastest growing and exciting publishing companies in the UK.
