Melissa Thompson Email and Phone Number

Personal Assistant and Project Coordinator in the Global Sports, Media and Entertainment Practice at Odgers Berndtson, executive search firm.

11 months in South America, six of which I spent living and working near Machu Picchu in Peru within the hospitality and tourism sector. Roles included web project management and marketing, hotel reception and administration, restaurant cashier, management and administration, waitress and bar service, tour guide. Many of the roles entailed speaking Spanish for the majority of the time which I have learnt this year to an strong conversational standard.

Working in consultation with industry practitioners from IPA member agencies, responsible for managing the planning, marketing, development, uptake and execution of the three flagship awards schemes: IPA Effectiveness Awards 2016, IPA Media Owner Awards 2015, IPA Best of Health Show 2015. Also provide adhoc support on other IPA events.

The IPA is the professional body for advertising, media and marketing communications agencies in the United Kingdom.It provides essential core support services to over 300 agency members who are key players in the UK’s £16.7bn advertising, media and marketing communications industry; and it acts as the industry spokesman. Agency members cover the creative, digital, direct marketing, healthcare, media, outdoor, sales promotion and sponsorship sectors.The IPA runs a number of programmes to define, help and maintain the highest possible standards of professional practice within the business. At its core are various advisory services: from commercials production to all aspects of agency management; from marcomms and employment legal advice to an Inisght Centre offering market and consumer insight derived from a wealth of premium data sources. The IPA also gives members access to the industry’s media research contracts, including its own 'TouchPoints' plus access to its world-class training and professional development programmes.The IPA also put on an array of events and award schemes to showcase creative work, thinking on brands or communications planning and to meet with peers. Award schemes include the rigorous and globally recognised IPA Effectiveness Awards, plus schemes to showcase creativity in healthcare (Best of Health Awards) and and to highlight online media owner servicing levels (MOAs).Head of New Business is primarily responsible for bringing new agencies into IPA membership.

Account Manager, NFU Mutual + Account Manger, Clairol, Western Europe

Account Manager, Clairol, Western Europe

Agency new business and communications:RFIs and TendersPitch & other new business meetings preparationNew business network coordination for EMEA Creating bespoke credentials documents for prospects Creating case studies (written and video)Agency comms activities (internal/external)Management of new business finances

Develop and plan training courses geared towards developing the careers of IPA member agency employees in collaboration with colleagues, IPA members, and training consultants. The courses range from short workshops to large residential courses and cover a range of subjects from communications strategy to people management.Manage all aspects of training events: sales, marketing, event management, planning, follow-up, finances.Build relationships with a range of industry professionals and suppliersIPA Professional Development Group secretary