Manchester Fashion Network: Careers Event

Making it: In PR and Marketing

The first event in the Manchester Fashion Network “Making it" series took place on Tuesday 7th May at the Thomas Restaurant and Bar in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. The Making it: in PR and Marketing was one of the career events which I had most been looking forward to - with guest speakers Maxine Riley and the event organizer, Nikki Kitchen offering a detailed insight into the industry. Both Maxine and Nikki are Freelance PR agents based in Manchester, however each have different backgrounds, and have experienced different journeys while making it in PR and Marketing.

Background

Before working in PR, Maxine attended the University of Creative Art in Epsom where she studied Design Management, while Nikki studied towards a Leisure and Marketing degree at the University of Manchester. Both gained work experience while studying with Maxine securing an internship at Oasis and Nikki volunteering 3 days a week at a local PR agency.

After graduating, Maxine secured a job as a Merchandising Manager for Brower Lewis PR Co. before moving back North to become Account Executive at Rumpus Communications - through both of these roles she gained transferable skills and created contacts within the PR industry which would help in her later career. Maxine also explained how she was able to gain valuable experience and skills working on a range of diverse PR and Marketing campaigns, with companies including; Littlewoods, Ethel Austin and Black White Denim (based in Wilmslow). In 2010, Maxine became a Client Advocate at Democracy PR where she has been able to work with companies including; The Rock Shopping and Entertainment Destination (Bury), Manchester Drinks Company, webuyanycar.com, Duerr’s and Hollyoaks.

Nikki’s journey into fashion PR started slightly differently, with a role as Account Manager at Shoppertainment where her duties included; liaising with stores, managing and implementing a marketing strategy for shopping centers across the UK and managing Shoppertainment corporate events at Wembley, Canary Wharf and the Palace Theatre - from this Nikki realised she really enjoyed working with fashion retailers and got a feel for fashion PR. In 2008, Nikki became the PR and Promotions Manager for House of Fraser and then from 2009 - 2012 also gained additional experience as a Marketing Manager for The Printworks (Manchester) and The Rock Shopping and Entertainment Destination, before coming a Freelance Marketing and Communications Project Manager for her own company - Purple Riot Marketing.    

A Typical Day: In PR and Marketing

Both Maxine and Nikki explained that there is no typical day when working in PR, the days are often long and hectic and may not be as glamorous as people like to think - “but pleasing a client and seeing the final outcome of all your hard work is rewarding". Nikki talked about how it is about using the contacts you have created, pushing boundaries and trying to create something different - she told the audience of her biggest achievement which was creating the first ever high weir couture catwalk while working for The Rock.

5 Tips on Making it: In PR and Marketing

1. Be prepared to work you wary from the bottom to the top

2. Network, network, network

3. Be creative

4. Go out of your way

5. Don’t compromise who you are