Richard O'Brien

Richard O'Brien Email and Phone Number

Communications expert | Head of Public Affairs at Sortition Foundation | Girls on Film | EMI Archive Trust | Available for freelance and contract work | Ex EMI, Nudge Unit, Universal Music @ Sortition Foundation
cambridge, cambridgeshire, united kingdom
Richard O'Brien's Location
United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Richard O'Brien's Contact Details

Richard O'Brien personal email

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About Richard O'Brien

I’m a communications expert with over 20 years of experience, having had the privilege to work with fantastic teams in fast-paced, high-profile organisations. My career has spanned the full communications spectrum, including strategic and tactical comms, media management, C-level advisory, crisis handling and team leadership. I'm passionate about ensuring communications is a true partner to the entire organisation, aligning closely with business development to drive success.In my global leadership role at the Behavioural Insights Team (The Nudge Unit), I had the opportunity to enhance my expertise in social impact communications. Leading communications for this spin-out from the UK Prime Minister's office, I honed my skills in using behavioural science to communicate complex ideas on a global scale across sectors like sustainability, health, education and economics. Key lessons I took forward included:- How to genuinely drive diversity and inclusion- The importance of using clear, simple language—even with experts- Balancing the power of quantitative vs. qualitative data in decision-makingCurrently, I am leading public affairs at Sortition Foundation, a campaigning organisation advocating for democratic reform through citizens’ assemblies. I create campaigns that resonate with people from all walks of life, building trusted relationships with thought leaders, political figures and activists to drive systemic change.Colleagues describe me as strategic, calm under pressure and a collaborative team player. I’m known for being open to new ideas, generating creative solutions and providing long-term vision. In fact, one team affectionately referred to me as their "oracle."I have extensive experience in both direct management and building networks of experts, and I thrive on mentoring and coaching colleagues. My career journey has been driven by continuous learning and growth, and I’m drawn to organisations that are equally passionate and ambitious about their mission.

Richard O'Brien's Current Company Details
Sortition Foundation

Sortition Foundation

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Communications expert | Head of Public Affairs at Sortition Foundation | Girls on Film | EMI Archive Trust | Available for freelance and contract work | Ex EMI, Nudge Unit, Universal Music
cambridge, cambridgeshire, united kingdom
Employees:
4
Richard O'Brien Work Experience Details
  • Sortition Foundation
    Head Of Public Affairs
    Sortition Foundation Feb 2024 - Present
    United Kingdom
    Strategic communications and public affairs lead for Sortition Foundation, the leading enabler and campaigner for citizens’ assemblies and democratic reform in the UK and internationally, working with local, regional and national governments and organisations.Created and drove new multi-stakeholder strategy to establish cross party relationships and support including Sortition Foundation’s first ever advisory board.Delivered Sortition Foundation’s first coverage in top tier UK media.Created the 858 Project and messaging to advocate for House of Lords reform on a citizens’ assembly model in the election year of 2024. The 858 Project is an umbrella campaign for other interested groups, led by Sortition Foundation and drawing on the UK’s constitutional history to frame this major change - 2024 being 858 years since Henry II first codified juries into English law, the first time ordinary people in Britain had a say in their laws and decision making.
  • Girls On Film
    Media & Communications Lead
    Girls On Film Nov 2023 - Present
    London Area, United Kingdom
  • Encyclomedia
    Strategic Communications Advisor
    Encyclomedia Jan 2019 - Present
    London
  • Emi Archive Trust
    Trustee
    Emi Archive Trust Apr 2016 - Present
    Hayes, Middlesex, England
    Board of Trustees of the EMI Archive Trust, an independent charity that preserves and promotes the unrivalled history of EMI and its artists which reaches back to 1897. My work as a Trustee includes relationship building with other blue chip UK cultural institutions such as the British Library, Victoria and Albert Museum, Science Museum, BBC, National Archive and Wellcome Trust, developing new media platforms for the Trust’s unique assets and stories including podcasts, various TV and film projects including on war hero and scientific genius Alan Blumlein, the inventor of stereo.
  • The Behavioural Insights Team
    Head Of Communications
    The Behavioural Insights Team Nov 2019 - Oct 2023
    London, United Kingdom
    Led communications collaborating with governments, corporations, foundations worldwide to improve lives and communities across sustainability, health, intl development, education, economics, social cohesion & more.- Built strong relationships with news, political & economic media/opinion formers. Regular interviews and analysis for BIT execs on most influential outlets incl BBC TV (UK/global), radio (Today, PM, etc), UK broadsheets (incl. Times, Guardian, FT), international media (NY Times, Bloomberg, Forbes, Nature, Globe & Mail (Canada), Sydney Morning Herald) and more.- Achievements: Generated media coverage & events reaching a global audience of over 2 billion, 95% rated positive or neutral.- Crisis management: Successfully countered misinformation & conspiracy theories during COVID-19.Stakeholder relations: Engaged, advised, built trust and influenced global leadership, board and chair within BIT, senior execs in partner organisations, civil servants, special advisors and ministerial offices across UK gov depts & agencies, incl No.10, HM Treasury, Dept for Health, Government Equalities Office, Public Health England. - Content:Video: Produced explainers (http://bit.ly/3S0pgGp), vox pops (https://bit.ly/48vMoDN), documentary (https://bit.ly/41YTxdi).Podcasts: Created ‘Inside The Nudge Unit’ https://bit.ly/3U4nCWT. Episodes incl w/Nobel laureate Richard Thaler, government ministers & deep dives into BIT’s work. Downloads av 5k with high engagement - most people listened to whole episodes.Augmented reality: Developed AR to bring static content (eg reports) to life.- Line management: Comms officers, freelancers, design studio, agencies.- Budgets: £500k+ budget, additional influence and support for related costs - eg web security.- Efficiency: Built consensus to replace expensive intranet with zero cost option saving 10s of thousands.- Branding: Secured full ownership of highly valuable ‘Nudge Unit’ brand for the 1st time in complex legal process.
  • Universal Music Group
    Head Of Communications & Commercial Innovation
    Universal Music Group Jul 2016 - Dec 2018
    London, United Kingdom
    Bespoke senior international role leading commercial innovation and new partnerships across 60+ countries for UMG, the world’s number one music company.- Led on delivery of multiple areas of commercial strategy across countries and with colleagues of every level of seniority including leading a project personally directed by the global CEO to redefine music ownership in a streaming environment which he approved for immediate roll out.- Board member: Led communications and marketing efforts for a digital startup, expanding reach to the UK, Germany, France, Norway, and Denmark, powering growth to over 100,000 paying subscribers with ARPU over €20.- Innovation: Pioneered new content models, including books, comedy, and short-form video. Personally negotiated groundbreaking book deal with CEOs from big three book publishers and established productive first of its kind relationship with major comedy TV producer Banijay.
  • Universal Music Group
    Head Of Media Relations
    Universal Music Group Jun 2013 - Jul 2016
    London, United Kingdom
    Senior London-based media relations and communications executive. Managed international and local media in all countries worldwide across all media and digital platforms. Key achievements included:- Planning and coordinating with UK government depts & agencies for UMG’s involvement in the cultural industries contributions to Chinese paramount leader Xi Jinping’s state visit to UK in 2015,- Developing and delivering strategic communications objectives for UMG initiatives, acquisitions and projects such as expansion into emerging markets including China, India and Africa and launching a new independent artist division, Caroline International, to media and industry.- Running regular crisis management workshops for UK and international teams.- Driving the media strategy to reposition the perception of classical music including through targeted media, speeches, a new online platform and the innovative Bristol Proms concerts for which I achieved top-tier UK national, regional and local media coverage (BBC, The Times, Guardian).- Coordinating media at and for industry events and awards, including BRITs and Grammys.- Leadership: Line managed communications managers and other team members as well as consultants and advisors around the world. Commissioned and ensured timely and high quality creative output, events, etc from external agencies and partners.- Stakeholder management: Advised, coached and made recommendations to senior management on media issues, policies, internal communication- Industry and government: Represented UMG on trade bodies for industry and public affairs issues and campaigns.
  • Spinnup
    Board Member
    Spinnup Jul 2013 - Dec 2018
    London, United Kingdom
    Spinnup is UMG’s startup global platform for new artists. Led all comms, PR and marketing and was hands-on with all aspects of strategy, growth, development and team-building. Over 100,000 artists have joined Spinnup to date and over 40 have been signed by UMG labels.
  • Emi Music
    Media Director/Media Manager
    Emi Music Jul 2004 - Jun 2013
    Senior leader in global comms for FTSE 100 company EMI.- Modernised EMI’s corporate branding and logo with iconic UK designer Peter Saville, launching across 50 international markets. Managed reputation such that EMI named UK’s 28th most reputable company by Reputation Institute.- Strategy: Member of the UK board as communications lead, regular one-to-one meetings with the CEO to plan media strategy, reputation building, internal communication, events.- Innovation: Successfully launching industry-leading innovation projects including a ground-breaking partnership with Apple (DRM-free music) and the OpenEMI platform for software developers.- Corporate & Social Responsibility: Oversaw and ran communications for EMI’s award winning CSR programme (EMI was a member of FTSE4Good and Dow Jones Sustainability Group indexes. Led comms and PR for EMI Music Sound Foundation, one of the biggest supporters of music education in the UK.- Launched & grew social media, updated website at saving of 99%.- Change management: Member of change management committees as communication lead during radical restructurings and acquisitions by Terra Firma and later Universal Music Group.- Reports and publications: End-to-end management of EMI’s financial reports and AGM communications materials. Unusually among regulatory publications, one of EMI’s annual reports that I managed was shortlisted in the prestigious D&AD Yellow Pencil design awards.- Created photo of Damon Albarn-Noel Gallagher reunion still used by media today (https://bit.ly/3UaPmJk).

Richard O'Brien Skills

Media Relations Music Digital Media New Media Music Industry Public Relations Digital Distribution Corporate Communications Content Strategy Strategic Communications Publicity Television Record Labels Social Media A&r Internal Communications Web Development Digital Strategy Music Licensing Music Publishing Digital Marketing Content Writing Media And Entertainment Music Management Radio Entertainment Media Business Development Business Strategy Building Business Partnerships Business Growth Strategies Storytelling Stakeholder Management Press Releases Writing Strategic Media Relations Online Platforms Crisis Communications

Richard O'Brien Education Details

Frequently Asked Questions about Richard O'Brien

What company does Richard O'Brien work for?

Richard O'Brien works for Sortition Foundation

What is Richard O'Brien's role at the current company?

Richard O'Brien's current role is Communications expert | Head of Public Affairs at Sortition Foundation | Girls on Film | EMI Archive Trust | Available for freelance and contract work | Ex EMI, Nudge Unit, Universal Music.

What is Richard O'Brien's email address?

Richard O'Brien's email address is ob****@****oup.com

What is Richard O'Brien's direct phone number?

Richard O'Brien's direct phone number is (212)-786*****

What schools did Richard O'Brien attend?

Richard O'Brien attended Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd, University Of Birmingham.

What skills is Richard O'Brien known for?

Richard O'Brien has skills like Media Relations, Music, Digital Media, New Media, Music Industry, Public Relations, Digital Distribution, Corporate Communications, Content Strategy, Strategic Communications, Publicity, Television.

Who are Richard O'Brien's colleagues?

Richard O'Brien's colleagues are Tom Lord, Ruth Davis, Ronald Pelton, Kirsten Downer, Rich Rippin, Sonia Randhawa.

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