Tell us a little about your role within McKenna Townsend…
I’m a co-founder of McKenna Townsend – Sarah Townsend and I set up the agency up over 14 years ago now. We are responsible for ensuring that everyone at McKenna Townsend lives up to our agency values every day in everything we do. We are relentless in the pursuit of results and we like to live up to that challenge.
Which three words best sum up McKenna Townsend’s priorities and personality?
Relentless. Efficient. Party-hard (that’s technically four … we don’t always play by the rules)
What is McKenna Townsend’s USP?
Our people – we have the best team going…talented, driven to deliver results and that’s why clients love them. In my book the perfect USP.
What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing the industry at the moment?
Finding the talent in the first place and then people willing to put in the hard work - pure and simple. I recently read in an airline business magazine that a business leader said: “Hard works trumps talent every time”. This is true. But hard work and talent trump everything – why settle for one or the other?
If you had to impart one piece of advice to a member of your team, what would it be?
Learn from the best, devour the written word and be yourself. We don’t want cookie cutter teams – we want the spark of individuality. Make sure you enjoy yourself along the way!
What’s your best PR moment to date?
I’ve had so many great PR moments and it’s hard to say which one is the best. Winning the PRCA agency of the Year – South and South West region - is right up there though.
Has pursuing a career in PR lived up to your expectations? Why?
I love PR. And it has more than lived up to my expectations. I know I am very fortunate to be able to work in such a brilliant industry. In the last two weeks alone…I’ve been in Manchester, Monaco and Cannes – I’ve met Prince Albert of Monaco…twice…I’ve been on an 85M superyacht (worth about £150m) and met the owner, and an Ocean charity partnership we brokered for one of our clients means that a marine reserve the size of France is soon going to be realised. Not bad for a couple of weeks’ work…and all because of being in PR.
If you could work for any brand, which would you chose? Why?
BrewDog…love their attitude. Great brand – ballsy and very successful. These guys have not only thrown out the rule-book – they ripped it up and set fire to it.
We all love the South West but what do you consider the key benefits of working in this region?
It’s a much better quality of life than many other regions – we have an amazing coastline, wonderful countryside, prosperous cities and towns … it’s a great place
to do business.
What’s your PR secret?
Work hard, be proud of your individual spark (everyone has one)…and don’t be
afraid to work with outside experts when you don’t have the expertise yourself.