Harrow, England, United Kingdom
I am a senior communications professional with extensive knowledge of the book and arts worlds, over nineteen years experience working in publishing, a good network of media and events contacts and a CIPR Diploma. I have particular expertise and knowledge of the non-fiction, YA and children's book worlds. I help authors, illustrators, creatives, publishers and brands tell people about their books and projects through media, events and activities. If you have a book you want people to know about then get in touch. My experience includes: running a department and managing a PR & marketing team; working with colleagues in multiple countries; developing communications strategies and running major media campaigns; organising large-scale public events and tours; developing relationships with key stakeholders; author and celebrity management; creating partnerships; media relations and pitching; budget and project management; copywriting; communications and networking.
Running PR and marketing campaigns for publishers, authors, illustrators, and organisations in the creative sector. Providing communications strategy and advice and supporting creators with PR, events and tours, and diary management. Clients include Penguin Random House, DK, Bloomsbury, Libro.fm, Cicada Books, Tomorrowland Fiction, Wilhemina Barns-Graham Trust, The Story Museum, Callaway Arts & Entertainment and authors Robin Stevens, Lucinda Hawksley and Michael Hoffen.
Planned and implemented high impact, creative publicity campaigns, working closely with authors, editors, marketing and sales, to maximise the value of coverage and drive sales.
• Managed PR, marketing and digital teams with two or three direct reports, scheduling regular catch ups, managing performance, well-being, training and development, appraisals and recruitment. • Managed corporate communications for Abrams & Chronicle Books including trade press, announcements of new acquisitions (books, companies and clients) and awards news. • Part of the senior management team devising strategic direction of the company, compiling reports for board and parent companies, presenting regularly at company meetings. • Managed annual PR and marketing budgets. • Updated processes including organising training and updating data practices following GDPR legislation. • Collaborated with international colleagues to produce UK and European part of global campaigns. Worked alongside multiple stakeholders including brand PR teams, agencies, freelancers and venues on book campaigns or hybrid book/exhibition, book/brand and book/anniversary campaigns. Ran UK and European campaigns for high profile books by, or on, Vincent van Gogh, Ralph Steadman, Slim Aarons, Tim Flach, Lisa Eldridge, Cereal Magazine, Andy Goldsworthy, Anna Sui and many more. • Created innovative campaign strategies across print, broadcast and online media for the Fashion, Photography, Art, Design, Food, Drink, Popular Culture, YA and Kids lists ensuring internal and external stakeholders are kept up to date as campaigns develop. • Worked with licensors – Disney, Hasbro, Vogue, DreamWorks, LEGO, Mattel, Studio Ghibli, Getty and more - coordinated embargoes, announcements, content release and approvals processes. • Organised book signings and book tours in conjunction with bookshops, festivals, exhibitions and other partners including successful tours for Andrea Beaty, Sungju Lee, Michelle Visage and large signings for Matty Matheson, Lisa Eldridge and Grumpy Cat. • Managed serial sales, negotiated fees, copyright clearances and coordinated with US teams.
• Managed corporate communications for Abrams & Chronicle Books including setting up 5th anniversary celebrations and press and trade press announcements for new acquisitions and management changes. • Set up new publicity and marketing plans, operational processes, team documents and company branding documents. • Presented publicity and marketing plans at company conferences and to authors and agents. • Managed publicity, marketing and digital teams with three direct reports, and regularly caught up with publicity and marketing colleagues in the US collaborating on campaigns. • Organised launches, large scale signing events, festival appearances and book tours. Regularly pitched to festival and event organisers. • Oversaw awards submissions, award announcements and attended events and ceremonies as company representative. • Set up regular meetings with key journalists and media contacts to pitch lead titles every season. • Created social media content.
• Senior publicist in Commercial Non-Fiction, maternity cover for the Publicity Director. Managing high profile campaigns including Eat. Nourish. Glow. by Amelia Freer, Lorraine Pascale’s How to Be Better Cook, May Martin's Sewing Bible, The Supercar Book for Boys, Outrageously Adorable Dog Knits, Moody Bitches and all the titles on the Thorsons (health and well-being) imprint. • Advised on acquisitions strategy, budgets and represented Non-Fiction at meetings and pitches. • Extended and strengthened contacts in press, online and events areas. Met key journalists and festival organisers to present highlights and to secure features, extracts, review and festival slots.
• Worked for Riot Communications, Simon & Schuster Ltd, Usborne and Bonnier Publishing on book campaigns, prizes, events, festivals, author strategy and idea generation.