MY WORK HISTORY INCLUDES:
Youth Leader: The Grantown Cinema Project
November 2011 - present
Working with a group of young people Stroke-PR is bringing a monthly cinema night to the people of Grantown On Spey. The young people choose the film, promote it to the local community and prepare themed snacks to sell at the event and even dress up in fancy dress according to the film.
Social Media Consultant and workshop leader
Grantown On Spey November 2010 - March 2011
Currently consulting with local businesses creating and maintaining a Social Media suite for a holiday resort on Shetland and developing a website plan for a blossoming international business. In addition, leading a series of workshops for Badenoch and Strathspey Learning and Resource Centre, aimed at local organisations on Social Media and how to include it in their Marketing Schedules.
Marketing Manager, Greenroom, Manchester
September 2008 - October 2011
As well as traditional Press and Marketing duties was responsible for a range of new initiatives including: A monthly show on community radio; the Interact! area of the existing website which included a You Tube channel, Podcasts, RSS feed, Twitter and Facebook. Worked closely with the website developer to adapt existing site to include more user-friendly features. Devised a new tag line: ‘greenroom: A Theatre Like No Other’ for use on all branding opportunities; commissioned a new logo suite to maximise branding opportunities. Initiated the Get Into Greenroom scheme, which included a reduced advance ticket rate that in its first season increased advance sales by one third and fan base numbers by 300. Reduced print and distribution costs and also changed all print to recycled stock as part of a Going Green campaign. Re-negotiated all supplier contracts or sought new suppliers and created unusual promotional items for specific events.
Marketing & Communications Manager, Contact, Manchester
February 2007 - September 2008
Managed a team of four to implement an audience development strategy increasing ticket sales by one quarter on the previous year. Negotiated terms for more cost effective digital database; managed seasonal brochure design reducing print and distribution costs. Liaised with businesses gaining cash donations and products (McVities, Colgate Palmolive). Achieved the first double page broadsheet coverage the ten year old theatre had ever received in The Times newspaper. Developed good working relationships with the national PR Company dealing with the Liverpool Capital Of Culture.
Manchester Midi School, Manchester.
September 2006 - February 2007
Marketed the ethos of the school by creating regular events for existing students. Reinitiated contact and offered incentives to lapsed and previous customers. Marketed the schools courses nationally and internationally via the web, radio and specialist magazines.
Manchester International Festival, “Monkey”: Journey To The West. December 2006 - April 2007
Creative Director for song-writing project that ran alongside the premier of Damon Albarn’s (Blur, Gorrillaz) “Monkey”: Journey to the West. The project included the production of a radio show; manufacture of a limited edition DVD and a brochure.
The Roadhouse, Manchester.
June 2006 - May 2007
Marketing consultant and press officer for The Roadhouse venue. Included commissioning and development of new website and new style publicity tools. Negotiated terms and managed events as well as implemented a regular marketing strategy to fans, bands and press.
Futuresonic Digital Art And Music Festival, Manchester.
2005 and 2006
Event Management of a range of events and production of copy for publicity material and website. Devised and implemented an international viral marketing campaign and was liaison for the corporate sponsor during event (Sony PSP).
Community FM Radio Conference, Manchester.
February 2006 - June 2006
Developed and promoted website. Implemented and managed the press campaign achieving coverage on regional TV (Granada), national and local radio (Radio 4, GMR), national and regional newspapers (Guardian, MEN, Metro) and specialist journals.
Unique Records (Germany) and Ubiquity Records (USA).
March 2005 - August 2005
Management of UK marketing campaigns for two international record labels. Including national/regional press and specialist TV/Radio; launch parties in four cities and sourcing drinks and clothing sponsorship (Stella Artois & Nike); Building and promoting to existing fan base.
Marketing Manager, Grand Central Records, Manchester.
June 2001 - February 2005
Proved strong conceptual and visual flair during the inception and manufacture of promotional items. Sourced, hired and fired: photographers, press companies, printing firms, graphic designers, website developers and product manufacturers. Managed a constantly evolving team of four marketing support staff. Liaised with twenty-three international distributors worldwide. Identified the strongest territories and forged links with International press and tastemakers. Extensively researched, designed and built development team and subsequently marketed & maintained eight label websites. Developed and established online shop which successfully increased website sales and achieved a ten fold increase in profit. Through online campaigns and initiatives increased the fan database from 2k to 18k within 2 years.
