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Name and title

Alex Eve, Content Creator

When did you start working at Whiteoaks?

I started in October 2019

Tell us a bit more about your career progression within Whiteoaks.

I began as a Campaign Executive when I initially joined Whiteoaks, which included responsibilities such as social media monitoring and posting, campaign reporting and content proofing. After almost a year in the role, an opportunity came up to join the content team. I applied for it and was successful! Since September 2020 I’ve written content for a range of our clients across sectors such as retail, broadcast and emerging technologies as a Specialist Content Writer.

How did you get into PR?

Although my work background is primarily in marketing and project coordination after previously completing a marketing-focused business management degree, I’ve always been interested in the media and was impressed by Whiteoaks when applying to work here.

What’s been the highlight of your Whiteoaks career so far?

Probably making the successful switch to Specialist Content Writer. It was a big shift in my day-to-day responsibilities but I’m delighted that I’ve received good feedback internally and from clients on the quality of my written pieces.

What makes you smile at the end of the day?

Knowing that the words I put to paper are being published and read by professionals in a range of sectors.

When I’m not PRing I like to…

Attend football matches and concerts in pre-Covid times, but during the last year watching matches on TV and building my vinyl collection.

Name and title

Alex Sweeney, Account Director

When did you start working at Whiteoaks?

I joined Whiteoaks in June 2016

Tell us a bit more about your career progression within Whiteoaks.

Landing at a dusty office split across three floors on Farnham high-street almost five years ago turned out to be one of my better life choices. Starting as a media focused Account Executive, I quickly felt at home building up journalist relationships, developing creative media pitches to secure publication opportunities and coverage for a range of technology clients.

From there I began to work my way up the account management ladder, which while demanding was thoroughly enjoyable. My two years in account management was a crucial learning curve to finding ways to prioritise and juggle different tasks, while keeping a close eye on ensuring client campaigns remained on track, and that the team stayed motivated to make sure the magic happened. This coincided with a move to our new office – a heaven sent, new open plan space in Hook, which has been a game changer.

Fast-forward to April 2020 and I was promoted to Account Director, which has been a refreshing step change to help keep the job varied. The role combines client facing work with also the internal focus of being able to impact changes and decisions within Whiteoaks by acting as part of the business’s management team. The client aspect of the role is something I thrive on, delivering impactful and creative PR campaigns that help clients fulfil their communication and business objectives. All of which, leads to strong client relationships and working as an extension of their internal teams. I also play a key role in securing new business for the agency, both from existing clients and supporting the business development team in winning new ones typically through a pitch process.

How did you get into PR?

My lead into PR campaign came through my degree in sports journalism at Sunderland University, which included a few PR modules within it. Previous experience writing for local newspapers such as the Peterborough Telegraph, Cumbria Times & Star has been crucial to developing my skills for spotting and writing news stories, while spending two years as the Press Officer for the Newcastle Diamonds speedway club was perfect for honing my interview skills and writing to short deadlines. Riding a speedway bike was also an absolute bonus!

What’s been the highlight of your Whiteoaks career so far?

My career highlight is the long client retention rate that my team has been able to develop over the last couple of years. Despite the turbulence of 2020, we retained all our clients and have an average client relationship length of 3.5 years, which down to the endless hard work and determination of the entire team.

What makes you smile at the end of the day?

When it’s summertime and the daylight holds out just long enough to squeeze in a game of golf after I clock off. During the winter, playing 5-a-side football after work.

When I’m not PRing I like to…

Watching live sport, I will either be at the football, the races, or the cricket.

Name and title

Amber Chawner, Account Executive

When did you start working at Whiteoaks?
I started in February 2019

Tell us a bit more about your career progression within Whiteoaks.
I started here not long after I graduated university as a Junior Account Executive in 2019. After a year with the business, I started an Account Executive development plan where my focus became media relations. I then moved into the media stream, where I have continued to specialise in media, and am just over halfway through my Senior Account Executive development plan.

How did you get into PR?

I studied journalism at university and so I knew when I graduated that I wanted to work with the media. When I was researching what that path looked like, PR seemed like the perfect option for me. Working in PR has allowed me to continue building my skillset in a field where no two days are the same. I work across a diverse range of really interesting clients, from broadcast, to cyber security, and I feel like I am always learning more about the technology sector every day.

What’s been the highlight of your Whiteoaks career so far?

As a media specialist, the highlight for me was the day I secured my first national briefing that resulted in two pieces of coverage! The call was with a journalist at The Telegraph, and the client was quoted both online and in the print newspaper the next day. Seeing that was definitely a great feeling and only confirmed that I was in the right career!

What makes you smile at the end of the day?

For me, the thing that makes me smile the most at the end of the day is when I see the results coming in. It is so easy to get caught up in the challenges, that when I see a great opportunity progress, or a fab piece of coverage come in, it makes me smile to see all the hard work pay off, knowing that the client is going to be just as pleased as I am!

When I’m not PRing I like to…

When I’m not PRing, I love spending time with my friends and family. However, if I’m not out and about, you’ll likely find me either with my head down in a book or binging a new TV series!

Name and title

Jo Elliott, Account Manager

When did you start working at Whiteoaks?

I started working at Whiteoaks in August 2017

Tell us a bit more about your career progression within Whiteoaks.

I joined Whiteoaks back in 2017 as a graduate looking for my first step into the PR industry. My first role was as Junior Account Executive where I learned the ropes and got to see first hand how each of the different roles within an agency work. On my first week, I was tasked with coming up with an article idea for a client and pitching it to relevant editors. It definitely threw me in at the deep end and I loved the process and the buzz of getting an email from an editor who wanted to take the piece. I was given the opportunity to progress to Account Executive where I refined my skills in engaging with the media, and then Senior Account Executive where I led on media campaigns for numerous clients. There was a healthy competition between me and other Account Executives/Senior Account Executives within the agency but also some fantastic mentors which meant I was always driven to secure frequent national coverage and ensure I had the relevant journalist relationships to get my clients in the national, business and technology press they needed to be seen in.

After a couple of years dedicated to the media specialist roles, I was promoted to Junior Account Manager where I supported in managing a team and providing consultation to the clients within that team. This was a significant period of growth for me professionally as I began to lead on client account management and everything that comes with it. After about a year in this role, I was promoted to Account Manager which is my current role.

How did you get into PR?

At school and college, I was always strongest in creative thinking and content-based subjects, such as Philosophy, Media and English. I soon realised getting a job as a philosopher might be a little difficult so whilst I was at college I arranged some work experience with a London PR Agency, which at the time was working on a big launch with BT. Although I was mainly just supporting with admin tasks (and tea-making) it was really exciting and I decided it was a definite career opportunity for me. I studied a degree in English Language and Media at University which helped me develop some skills including writing press releases.

I wouldn’t say a degree in a relevant subject is essential to a career in PR; what is essential is a genuine interest in current affairs, a problem-solving attitude, and a drive to succeed.

 What’s been the highlight of your Whiteoaks career so far?

There have been many amazing moments, many of which centre around putting in a lot of hard work and generating outstanding results for my clients. One that particularly stands out was when I was an Account Executive and was responsible for securing journalists to attend a large event my client was putting on in central London. Months of preparation went into the event and the week of the event I spent each evening in the office working hard to secure those final few attendees. It was the first event of its size I had worked on and I vividly remember nervously waiting in the lobby of the hotel where the event was taking place to greet the journalists, many of whom arrived late which made me all the more nervous.

The event was a fantastic success and we had journalists from across national, broadcast and technology press attend, including a well-known technology journalist who was recording a series for audible interviewed my client at the event.

The hard work paid off and I learnt some hugely valuable lessons in the process.

What makes you smile at the end of the day?

Recently, getting outside for a walk or a run (although running doesn’t usually make me smile until it is over!).

When I’m not PRing I like to…

Cook! I absolutely love cooking and experimenting with food. I’ve been vegan for six years and certainly had to learn how to make food taste nice when it’s absent of cheese and meat! Cooking has become my favourite way to relax and ground myself.