I manage all things brand for AllTheTopBananas

I led a team of three, responsible for all communications activity for the authority.This is a mix of internal and external communications, as well as campaign work and management of the council’s website and intranet.Responsibility for management of the authority’s brand to ensure it is used consistently both internally and with outside partners. I managed all external media. I built good relationships with the local media and work as proactively as possible to avoid as much reactive handling as possible. Led media briefings with the chief executive and directors to ensure we communicate early any big issues of interest. I managed the social media accounts, website and the intranet to ensure a consistent tone of voice. Implemented social media guidelines for staff and elected members. Ran media training sessions with members to help them be confident when dealing with the media. Advised and supported members who are being interviewed on TV and radio.

As Head of Marketing for RAF Recruitment, I was responsible for managing and developing the RAF Careers brand. I managed the entire marketing mix with the key objectives of:a. Raising the profile of the RAF as a career of choice. b. Driving a response from potential applicants in order to hit yearly intake targets.I led a team of ten, made up from a blend of civilian and senior military personnel. I had five direct reports, together with budget responsibility ranging from £3.5M up to £18M. I managed and procured multiple suppliers to deliver creative communications for several distinct target audiences. This included creative, media planning and live events agencies, together with a call centre. I agreed SMART objectives, which I managed through regular monitoring of key performance indicators. I produced a three-year marketing strategy and an annual plan. To ensure we took a media neutral planning approach, I used real time data from our planning agency, call centre and recruitment control to manage and optimise marketing channels.

I managed the digital content and promotion of RAF Careers. This included hands on management of the RAF Careers website and social media channels. I managed suppliers to support the creative development of digital advertising, SEO and PPC.

I had hands on management of the Air Cadet Organisation website (ACO) and social channels. I managed all proactive and reactive communications for the ACO.I was responsible for editing and producing an annual report.I presented a monthly brief to volunteers from within the organisation on how best to work with the media to gain positive coverage for their local squadron.

I ran a busy news desk of five reporters and two photographers. In ensured the reporters were directed in their news gathering and supplied all copy to strict deadlines in order to produce a weekly paper and monthly business supplement. I edited all content before sending it to the sub-editors / deputy editor and editor.

I covered the full range of news covered by the paper. This included major crime, political and human interest stories. I was responsible for the business content of the paper and produced a weekly Business pull out. I mentored junior reporters.

My first job in journalism. As a junior reporter I covered a wide variety of news including sport and features.