Leading a small team with a hands-on approach, this role involves the day-to-day management of several high-profile accounts, securing positive results for a portfolio of clients across a variety of sectors. As the primary account contact, high-quality communications work is delivered, driving brand advocacy online and offline to meet objectives and exceed client expectations.

Responsibilities included:• Working with the agency’s account managers to create and deliver PR campaigns• Producing monthly reports which track campaign success and highlight key metrics• Regular liaison with clients to understand requirements, manage briefs and expectations• Developing targeted media lists and building working relationships with key influencers• Identifying new opportunities to secure coverage across all media

Reporting into the European Communications Executive for Bank of America Europe Card Services, my role as an integral part of the in-house communications team supported the Public Relations Manager, Internal Communications Manager and Corporate Social Responsibility Manager on a range of campaigns and projects.• Responsible for researching and writing press releases for external audiences, handling regional and national placement of stories and updating the online newsroom • Lead role in PR activity for the MBNA Chester Marathon resulting in more than 40 pieces of print and broadcast coverage for 2011, in addition to an active social media presence• Placement of hundreds of regional competitions across the UK to raise brand awareness and promote rugby credit card portfolio. Previously managed by an agency, this project was moved in house for cost-efficiency and resulted in a five-fold increase in coverage across the UK• Writer of various award submissions including winning entries for the CIPR Pride Awards and Cheshire Business Awards• Developing internal communications material, creating a number of stories for the company's intranet site, raising business profile across EMEA• Producer of weekly and monthly reports which track campaign success, evaluate business-specific media coverage, highlight output and critical role of the in-house communications team• Working with various PR agencies to assist in the shaping of communications strategies for sponsorships, new products/services and business changes• Established role within the internal social media council, responsible for defining listening parameters and tracking social media buzz

• Responsible for summarising and disseminating relevant media coverage on a daily basis to key personnel across the business• Handling enquiries from local, regional and national media on a range of topics - some of a sensitive nature, working with other lines of business and key stakeholders to help shape official business responses• Lead media monitoring role, tasked with tracking influential commentators, amending media lists and defining journalist targets for ongoing and future campaigns

This role required extensive knowledge of the company’s credit card insurance products to deal with customer queries on a daily basis. Working individually and as part of a team, results were measured at all times, demanding a high level of consistency and performance.

One week was spent working in the newsroom, producing original copy and chasing potential stories. After a successful placement, by request of the editor, I continued to work unpaid and produce stories for publication over a six-month period.

Six weeks were spent working full-time alongside an accomplished PR team, providing a professional service to a variety of regional and national clients. Responsibilities included media relations, producing a variety of press releases to strict deadlines and assisting the team with important campaigns and projects. Following this successful academic placement a temporary position at the agency was offered.