A brilliant first insight in to the world of PR
From time to time we welcome budding PR, Digital and Marketing students into our world to experience the daily activities of DCA with the hope that they will gain some valuable insights into what could be their potential career. Recent student Charlie Conchie looks back here on his time with us…
With one year of education left, I thought I had better use my final summer holiday to discover what lay in the vast post-university beyond. I contacted Jason at the start of summer to arrange a two-week work experience role in order to find out more about the industry – and what a varied and fantastic two weeks it has been. I’ve shared a couple of the highlights below.
On my second day at DCA I accompanied account executive, Anais, on a trip down to St Ives, where DCA client, the St Ives BID, had attracted some warranted media attention with their new scheme to educate tourists on the town’s seagull problem. The scheme was a piece of greaseproof paper printed in the style of a newspaper, aptly titled ‘The Daily Gull’, which gave tips on how to avoid the gulls’ thievery. This inventive piece of PR had rightly captured the interest of both local and national press, with BBC Spotlight featuring the story and interviews with members of the BID in their lunchtime and evening programmes. I was given the opportunity to watch Anais skilfully co-ordinate the day, liaising between journalist and interviewee to ensure a seamless and professional presentation of the BID in the press – an excellent introduction to the workings of a successful PR operation.
Two days later, I was lucky enough to accompany DCA’s digital content manager, down to Healeys Cyder Farm to see some of the work he does to promote clients online. The farm was enjoying the fallout from a royal visit a few days before so DCA were using the increased coverage to promote the farm’s new range of cyders. Stephen took me on a tour whilst he shot some footage of the distillery and attractions, producing a slick video at the end to promote the farm’s new range of cyders.
In the office the work has been just as engaging, with director Tom throwing me plenty of work from press releases to Buzzfeed and Twitter posts. No day is dull as the team conjure up innovative and original campaigns tailored to each of their clients’ specific briefs. In the two weeks I have been at DCA I have witnessed them arrange the launch of a new multi-million pound engine testing facility at Norwich airport; cover a visit from Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge to Healeys Cyder Farm; create a new campaign to promote the Isles of Scilly as a tourist destination; and generate national print and television coverage over the small matter of fish and chips being stolen by seagulls – I can’t begin to imagine what happens in a year!
Thank you to everyone at DCA for giving me such a brilliant first insight in to the world of PR & Marketing.
