EDUCATION:

University of Birmingham (2005 – 2008)
BA (Hons) English Literature – 2:1

• Wrote articles and reviews for student newspaper Redbrick and gained a knowledge of media law
• Utilised the literary techniques behind successful short story writing in a creative writing module

Nether Stowe High School, Lichfield, Staffs (1998 – 2005)

A-Levels:
English (A)
History (B)
French (B)

9 GCSEs A* – C:
English Language (A*)
History (A*)
French (A*)
English Literature (A)
Art (A)
RE (A)
Science (AA)
Maths (B)
Graphic Products (C)

TRAINING:

Annual AMA Conferences (July 2010, July 2011, July 2012)
• Attended seminars on targeting audiences through personas, social media, viral marketing and public relations using video, audio, mobiles and blogging
• Enjoyed the opportunity to network with, and learn from, other arts marketers from different venues

AMA Creating and Editing Video for the Web (led by Christian Payne aka @Documentally)
March 2012
• Watched videos and podcasts designed for different purposes, platforms and audiences
• Filmed a video in small groups and edited own videos using iMovie
• Learned how to insert images, layer audio and add cutaways to films for press and marketing use

TMA Druidstone: The Essentials of Arts Marketing (tutored by Roberta Doyle)
September 2010
• Acquired a thorough understanding of all aspects of campaign planning and understanding audiences, as well as effective techniques for social media and email marketing (by Susan Hallam)
• Presented a marketing plan to my tutor and seminar group using the knowledge I had gained
TMA Building a Public Profile: Working With the Media (led by media coach Sonia Beldom)October 2009
• Practised different interview styles and how to present oneself to the media in various situations
• Learned how to provide effective sound bites and key messages to a range of audiences

Podcast Training Course (led by Natasha Carlish of Dreamfinder Productions)
June 2008
University of Birmingham Media Centre
• Recorded my own podcast and practiced key techniques in planning, producing and marketing them
• Assisted with in-studio television launch of international summer school Universitas 21
• Gained first hand experience in broadcast journalism

Media Masterclass (led by Sky News correspondent Hazel Westwood)
September 2007 – May 2008
Personal Skills Award – completed at the University of Birmingham alongside my degree
• Practised interviewing others and being interviewed personally for television live on camera
• Gained a First in my assessed essay on current news trends

Media Officer at Curve
August – November 2012
Leicester, UK
• Contributed to the creation, implementation and development of the theatre’s media strategies, including a regional media strategy, in line with its Communications Strategy and Corporate Plan
• Liaised with the media to arrange both live and pre-recorded print, radio and television interviews
• Planned and managed press nights for all shows including liaising with press and internal staff
• Supported various external PR companies with national media work and developed relationships with key national press people
• Arranged production photography
• Generated and monitored content for the theatre’s website and various social media channels
• Organised and managed the production and editing of a video trailer for a theatre production (watch online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rAfR_1MmeQ&sns=em)
• Liaised closely with marketing colleagues to maximize positive press coverage and reviews
• Key achievement was working on securing press coverage for Harvey Weinstein’s musical Finding Neverland (which had its world premiere at Curve before it will transfer to the West End and Broadway), specifically the regional press coverage, which generated an advertising value equivalent of £440, 202

Communications Assistant at Belgrade Theatre
August 2009 – August 2012
Coventry, UK
• Researched and wrote local and national press releases and news copy for the theatre’s website
• Arranged and oversaw press interviews and photo calls
• Organised and attended regular press nights and sent out press invites
• Generated and monitored content for the theatre’s website, blogs and social media channels
• Created and edited video trailers for the theatre’s productions of ‘We Love You City’ and ‘The Father’ (watch online at http://www.belgrade.co.uk/news-and-blogs/blogs/watch-our-audience-review-we-love-you-city/ and http://www.belgrade.co.uk/news-and-blogs/blogs/watch-our-audiences-review-the-father/)
• Collated, copied and distributed press cuttings and organised archives
• Recorded audience vox pops after shows and edited into website and blog videos using iMovie
• Planned, arranged, recorded and promoted all Belgrade Theatre podcasts (listen online at http://www.belgrade.co.uk/news-and-blogs/podcasts/)
• Planned and produced content and commissioned editorial for show programmes
• Wrote content, took photographs for, and managed the production of print (i.e. Friends Newsletter)
• Regularly wrote direct mail letters and managed all in-house mailings
• Created, pulled data for, and sent out all email marketing
• Worked on Box Office, and liaised with and supports the activities of all other departments
• Planned, managed and executed all print distribution and sourced new distribution opportunities
• Updated promotional resources within the theatre
• Managed a Communications Apprentice and a team of Communications Volunteers

Writer for Lichfield Gazette Magazine
April – August 2009
Lichfield, UK
• Reported on local stories, interviewed city residents and took own photographs to use for articles
• Developed the theme for a Life in Lichfield series of in-depth interviews

PR Intern at Mike Owen Media
April – August 2009
Lichfield, UK
• Wrote press releases and interviewed bands as part of the Midlands Music Festival PR campaign
• Promoted live music events to publicise the launch of the radio station www.morethanforty.com
• Gained a key insight into the role of Public Relations at the media and radio consultancy firmRole

Independent Travel to New Zealand, Australia, Singapore and Thailand
December 2008 – March 2009
• Communicated with people of different cultures and remained calm when faced with difficult situations
• Demonstrated relationship building skills, leadership ability and furthered my interest in photography

Inbound Call Assistant at Vaillant Group Service
July – December 2008
Belper, Derbyshire, UK
• Dealt with fast-paced telephone queries under pressure, answering trade and consumer enquiries
• Worked to achieve both individual and team targets, earning commission for sales additions

• Copywriting
• Writing press releases
• Using Photoshop
• Web content management
• Email marketing
• Writing direct mail letters
• Arranging interviews (print, radio, TV)
• Dealing with media enquiries
• Generating social media content
• Digital media (blogs, podcasts)
• Video recording and editing
• Communication with the media

Arts, Communications, Digital media, Marketing, New media, PR, Press, Public Relations, theatre

Individual member of Arts Marketing Association

English, English and French (A Level standard), French