Stephen O'Brien Email & Phone Number

Barcelona Area, Spain

Media Messaging's Barcelona-based, pan-European communications project was created to provide a fresh, flexible approach to PR, content, copywriting, marketing and communications that always put our client's reputation first offering London experience at Barcelona prices.Our model was built on strong leadership and supported by a comprehensive ecosystem of talented marketing professionals in both Spain and the UK.Our founders have more than 40 years experience between them, working at the sharp end for some of the biggest names in business.Media Messaging offered help with practical hands-on marketing and PR support, copywriting, blog writing, bespoke communications training, comms strategy, crisis management and senior counsel.Some of the clients we've learned from over the years include: Vistaprint, Telemedicine Clinic, Websays, Hotelbeds, Viscata, Ubeeqo, Heathrow Airport, Wall Street English, Aire Fresco, IESE Business School, The Federation of Holistic Therapies, Smartfiber AG.

Barcelona

I directed the global PR strategy for Vistaprint's worldwide operations with responsibility for all PR and reputational activity across North America, EU (primarily UK, France and Germany) and Vistaprint´s other global markets. Passionate about building a better relationship between our brand and our customers through truly relevant, localised content on both traditional and social media platforms as well as supporting the evolution of our brand proposition, I led a small international team of PR professionals, supported by some bright and tenacious PR agencies who helped us to deliver reputational change around the world.

Barcelona, Spain

Directed the international public relations strategy for Vistaprint's EU operation, with primary focus on consumer PR activity in the UK and wider responsibility for the 15 EU countries in which Vistaprint operates. Created and delivered strategic and tactical PR campaigns to effectively manage the business reputation. Drove consumer awareness of Vistaprint's brand, products, services and charitable/community activities using a mix of targeted international print, broadcast and on-line PR activity aimed at trade and consumer facing media ensuring all messages are localised and culturally appropriate. Based in Vistaprint's EU headquarters in Barcelona, working closely with Vistaprint's global and NA teams. Vistaprint is a $2bn p.a. growth global ecommerce company empowering more than 15 million small businesses and consumer customers in more than 120 countries around the world and has offices in 14 countries.

London/Milton Keynes

Directed the corporate affairs and communications programmes for Home Retail Group, comprising Argos, Homebase, Financial Services, Habitat and Home Store&More; created and delivered strategies for the Group's media relations (local, trade, consumer and financial); corporate responsibility; charities; internal comms; publications and public affairs. Managed a team of up to 18 communications professionals including a media relations team, an internal comms team and a corporate comms/publications team; reported directly to Group HR Director and worked closely with the Chief Executive, MDs and boards.

London Area, United Kingdom

Founded Pressurepoint, one of the first on site massage businesses in the UK offering corporate clients access to stress relieving on site (through the clothes) head, neck and foot massage services for general employee wellbeing and special events. Grew the business to 18 therapists and operated a Pressurepoint massage pod concession at Heathrow Airport for stressed and tired travellers. In addition, we developed a line of handmade, organic beauty products under the Pressurepoint brand name including hand creams, foot creams, shampoos and shower gels.

Hemel Hempstead, England, United Kingdom

Built and directed the Corporate Affairs function for DSG International, Europe's largest electrical retailing group with around 50,000 UK employees and 1000 stores operating under four major brands: Dixons, Currys, PC World and The Link. Responsible for media relations, corporate communications, public affairs we grew the team from 3 people to 12 people to support business growth and acquisitions. Managed external agency support including Square Mile Communications (financial PR) and Band and Brown communications (consumer PR). Responsible for brand reputation and crisis management at a time of fast growth for the business. Reported directly to the Group Finance Director and the Chairman.

Heathrow Airport And Baa Plc

Started as Customer Services Manager at Heathrow Airport turning around the often difficult relationship between the Heathrow airline community and the operator of the world's busiest international airport. This was at a time of political challenge as we sought permission to build a controversial fifth terminal. Responsible for national and local media relations, crisis management and internal communications, we also published the airport newspaper, Heathrow Now. During my time at Heathrow, I managed high profile media relations during a number of international crises, including the extended IRA mortar attacks on Heathrow Airport and the collapse of the Heathrow Express tunnel, the UK's biggest ever civil engineering disaster at the time. Promoted to parent company, BAA plc as Head of Corporate Affairs where I was in charge of all corporate communications including the group's bi-monthly newspaper, Take Off, as well as corporate media relations alongside the investor relations team. Managed investor media relations with Square Mile Communications and worked with a selection of other specialist consumer PR agencies. Winner of the International Association of Visual Communicators Golden Quill award for the world's best corporate communications video of the year.

Mass Communications, Public Relations

Education record

Education record

Ba, Mass Communications