Reflective Journal Jessica Gillett AD5404 Placement Level 5
CV: CV 1 Feedback: -
Unclear/ Poor Quality “Fuzzy” which looks unprofessional.
CV 2 (final CV): Following a lecture with Jennifer Hodgson I designed a new, improved, and professional CV.
Brand Outreach: BRAND ChloBo
EMAIL CONTACTED Zoe.evans@chlobo.co.uk YES
RESPONCE YES
MTM Communication & MODA PR (Talent Management)
jennifer@moda-pr.com
YES
YES
OUTCOME I have decided to turn down the opportunity. I am doing my placement with this brand.
Initial view of the role: I will be working alongside Jennifer Hodgson at MODA PR and more specifically focusing on their client MTM Communications which is a young, dynamic male management company for TikTok sensation @jackbeachbuminasuit, influencer Brad McClelland and Ash Dykes. It will be my responsibility to ensure Brad’s, Jack’s and Ash’s media kits are up to date and to organise them appropriate work, making them desirable for organic collaborations and truly unique brand partnerships. By articulating career directory, it will be my responsibility to raise my client’s profile within the UK through brand partnerships, events, and awards. Jennifer (the founder of MODA PR) is putting her trust into me to take control of MTM
Communications as talent manager during my placement. I will be my role to grow the brand, generate profit and commission as a new start up business. Alongside MTM Communications, I will be supporting Jennifer with her PR agency (MODA PR) and continue to expand my knowledge and skills with the brand. Overview of MTM Communications and MODA PR: MTM Communications is a young, dynamic male management company with a fresh approach to how we guide our influencer clients. MTM Communications are firm believers of personal branding. We take the time to fully understand our clients and their USP to provide them with a bespoke growth and support plan, by creating organic collaborations and truly unique brand partnerships. MTM sign some of the most in demand influencers and TV personalities from across the UK, the brand is a creative agency with a male focused approach. A key focus for MTM is not only creating authentic content for ourselves but for our clients too. MODA PR is an independent PR & Communications agency based in Chester and London. MODA PR specialises in public relations, management for brands and personalities in the lifestyle, beauty, and entertainment industries. Demonstrating day to day work: All databases and trackers can’t be shared for data protection reasons. 04/04/22
The morning of my first day at placement I had a call with Harry Holland (manager of MTM Communications) and Brad McClelland (the client) to introduce myself. During this call Brad McClelland informed me he wanted to achieve a new and improved aesthetic on Instagram and if I could assist and guide him with this change. I went away and created some Instagram inspiration boards to visually understand what Brad wants to achieve and proposed to him the grids I curated.
Brad further made his own vision board to help my understanding of the aesthetic he wanted to achieve. Following on from this I looked at Brad’s
current Instagram feed and informed him of the posts which should be removed to aid the process of the new aesthetic and tidy his feed up.
These posts were removed off Brad’s account. https://www.instagram.com/brad_mcclell/ The change is opening more opportunities to work with brands who resonate with the new aesthetic Brad is aiming for.
05/04/22
Tidied and organised MODA PR office. Organised and managed an outreach tracker (gifting and paid for Brad McClelland): Following the change made to Brad McClelland’s content it became my responsibility to collate a list of appropriate brands to pitch to for paid collaborations and giftings. I sourced information from ‘Dairy Directory’ and managed a tracker on a shared drive for Brad and Harry to have access to. The mentioned tracker contained the brand, point of contact with their email and whether the addressee was working in house or part of an agency. As a talent manager it is my role to ensure Brad has an income, I therefore made it a priority to focus on paid collaborations, however, whilst we’re building a new brand for Brad, we would be open to gifting during this transition period (this would benefit Brad’s content and build a relationship with the retailer for potential future opportunities). Organised and managed an outreach tracker (gifting and paid for Sophie Hughes): Pitched MODA PR client Sophie Hughes to lingerie, fashion, and swimwear brands for paid collaborations and giftings. I drafted the pitch below; this was the final proposal I used: Hey _, I hope you're well - I'm reaching out to introduce British plus-size model, body positivity advocate and influencer, Sophie Hughes. Sophie has a 6-inch scar on her stomach from donating her kidney to her nephew, it's here where her female empowerment journey began. (2 images attached here)
Sophie's IG: https://www.instagram.com/sophwithlove/ I thought you might be interested in a chance to collaborate Sophie and _ on Instagram? Do let me know if working with Sophie is of interest to you and I can share her media kit. Warmest wishes, Jessica. Organised and managed an outreach tracker for Ash Dykes and Jack @beachbuminasuit (macro-outdoor brands): I had a call with Harry Holland to discuss what we could do for talent Ash Dykes and Jack @Beachbuminasuit for ‘World Earth Day’ which is approaching late April. We decided it would be great for the talent to collaborate with any outdoor brands on this day, it was therefore my task to put together a talent outreach tracker (this can’t be shared for date protection reasons).
06/04/22
Product placement: MODA PR client Glowb is launching on Beauty Bay, to gain press coverage on the launch I packaged up and sent out the products to journalists (Ashley Rudd had previously organised the product placement). Responded to emails: Following yesterday’s pitch of Sophie Hughes, I secured her a gifting with lingerie brand ‘Freya Lingerie’. I contacted Sophie to choose her favourite picks from the website and the brand was to post the package out to her. I have started to build Sophie a relationship with ‘Freya Lingerie’, this opens opportunities to paid collaborations in the future. https://www.freyalingerie.com/uk/en/ Although I was unsuccessful in securing any deals with other brands, many responded to my proposal and mentioned they loved Sophie and her message, they would be sure to contact me in the future if any opportunities were available. This is great for Sophie as brands are now aware of her platform for future deals. Update Sophie Hughes’ outreach tracker. Organised and managed an outreach tracker (micro-outdoor brands) for Ash Dykes and Jack @beachbuminasuit. Organised and managed ‘Brand Contact’ database for MTM clients: I managed and organised a ‘Brand Contact’ database for those who have access to the MTM drive (this can’t be shared for data protection reasons).
07/04/22
Organised and managed influencer database. Responded to emails: Each morning I check the inbox for any Sophie Hughes collaboration responses, and I update the tracker accordingly. Updated Sophie Hughes’ outreach tracker and pitched to brands: I continued sourcing out potential lingerie, fashion, and swimwear brand to pitch Sophie Hughes to. Updated and managed the influencer database:
08/04/22
11/04/21
I took up the responsibility to organise to influencer database and fill in any missing information. Continued: - Responded to emails. - Pitched Sophie Hughes. - Organised influencer database. Organised and managed a database for retailers and beauty departments (Glowb): I had a telephone call with Sophie Hughes (Glowb’s brand manager), and we discussed and put together a list of UK beauty department stores that Glowb can potentially be stocked in. Organised and managed a database of business’ along Nicholas Street, Chester. Instagram brainstorm for talent Dani G: MODA PR client Dani G wants to focus on growing her platform and increase her engagement. I put together the following list of next steps for Dani to look over. What changes need to be made moving forward?
1. No uploads with borders around the image (hinges an aesthetic). 2. Content shot with a clean and minimalistic backdrop. 3. Variety of content (no continuous posts of the same look, this is not engaging). 4. Cycle around beauty content (hair/makeup/tan). 5. Make a conscious effort when deciding on a cover image for a reel/ IGTV (you want to capture a clear strong image to encourage any interaction). 6. Basic clothing (you don't want to be wearing anything eye-catching if the focus is your makeup). Clean and appropriate clothing. 7. Genuine collaborations (we don't want every post being giftings/ ads) to build a following who respects and trusts the content. 8. TikTok username needs to be changed (same username across social media to make the account locatable).
12/04/22
13/04/22
Like what I did for Brad McClelland I looked through Dani G’s Instagram feed and highlighted the posts which I believe should be archived. https://www.instagram.com/danigmakeup/ Dreamboys Press Night 2022: MODA PR client Dreamboys have their 2022 press night approaching in July. Managed and organised database: - Potential brands we can pitch to discuss sponsors (goodie bags and stalls). Organised and managed a database for potential guests on MODA PR talent Amelia Sordell’s podcast. Organised shoot locations for Brad McClelland. Organised and managed a TikTok trend database. Styling mood board for Brad McClelland’s shoot:
Created a pitch for Brad McClelland: Hi _, I hope you are well and don't mind me reaching out to you? I wanted to get in touch to introduce you to influencer Brad McClelland, who I think would be perfect for your brand and I would love to propose him to you for a collaboration. Since leaving the Love Island villa Brad has used his platform to showcase his love for fashion and has previously worked with the likes of Goose and Gander, Jameson Carter, and Jack Wills. I think Brad could create some amazing content for you. I would love to hear your thoughts on potentially working with him and if you are interested, I can share Brad’s media kit.
Brad’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/brad_mcclell/ Best wishes, Jessica x 14/04/22 15/04/22 18/04/22 19/04/22
Pitched Brad McClelland for paid collaborations. Brad McClelland shoot day 1. Brad McClelland shoot day 2. Organised and managed a database of fashion brands based in the Northwest. Organised and managed an outreach tracker for paid collaborations and giftings (Jack @beachbuminasuit). Created a pitch for Jack @beachbuminasuit: Hi _, I hope you are well and don’t mind me reaching out to you? I wanted to get in touch to introduce you to TikToker Jack (@beachbuminasuit) who recently hit 50K followers on the platform. I think he would be perfect for your brand, and I would love to propose him to you for a collaboration. Jack has a real passion for the outdoors and exploring, alongside his content creation Jack is a huge advocate for mental health and is currently running his own charity ‘Pull up a chair’. https://www.puac.co.uk I would love to hear your thoughts on potentially working with Jack. He would create some amazing and engaging content and if you are interested, I can share Jack’s media kit.
JACK’S IG: https://www.instagram.com/beachbuminasuit/ JACK’S TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@beachbuminasuit
All the best, Jessica x 20/04/22
Responded to Emails. Organised and managed podcast tracker for MODA PR. Organised and managed outreach tracker for Dreamboys 2022 press night: - Brand partnerships for the goodie bags. - Sponsors - Stalls/ cocktail stands and photobooths. - Social media (pre, during and post) content ideas for both Instagram and TikTok. Organised Brad McClelland’s next Instagram post: Mapping out aesthetic-
Organised and managed a tracker for LA experiences (for talent Courtney Vale).
21/04/22
Organised and managed podcast tracker for Dreamboys (mental health, entertainment/showbiz, sex, and relationships). Continued: - Managed the outreach tracker for Dreamboys 2022 press night (focusing on goodie bags and stalls). Managed the invitation tracker for Brow HQ grand opening day. Focused on Cheshire based influencers and TikTokers. TikTok creation for MODA PR. https://www.tiktok.com/@modapr
22/04/22
Brow HQ opening event prep: - Updated invitation tracker with Cheshire based influencers. - Contacted influencers via email to invite them to the VIP night: Hey lovely, I hope you're doing well! I thought I would just drop you a note to invite you to Brow HQ's new salon and their exclusive VIP night in Chester. I've attached their official invite; we would also love to offer you a complimentary treatment on a date that works for you. I look forward to seeing you soon, All the best, Jessica x
- Organised complimentary treatment for the invitees. - Organised the hire of prosecco and shot glasses for the event. - Leaflet drop around Chester (into the local business). Victoria Rush pitch for podcasts:
Hey _, I wanted to reach out as we are now representing Victoria Rush - female philanthropist, producer, rugby player and director of Amazon Prime ‘No Woman No Try’ (the first women's rugby documentary ever made). The ‘No Woman No Try’ documentary is all about female rugby players overcoming their greatest challenges off the pitch, battling gender ethnic, and sexual inequality. Often behind the scenes, Victoria is rarely one to celebrate her achievements. However, with the imminent announcement of the women’s six nations, we have been reflecting on the success of her #IAmEnough 2020 campaign which I have detailed below. Victoria began the #IAmEnough campaign in 2020 in response to the Canterbury Irish kit launch in which the brand chose to use female models and superimpose the kit onto them rather than using female Irish international players. Victoria was horrified by this and recognised this was another example of how female athletes are so often overlooked alongside an opportunity missed to inspire the next generation of female athletes who cannot see an example of who they could one day be if they wanted to. The movement asked female rugby players to post a picture of themselves, however they choose, to represent themselves as players. To inspire themselves to know “They are enough”.
The social media movement had a global impact with participation from across the UK, USA, Hong Kong, Australia, France, Sweden, Germany, and women from the rugby league community too and was covered by all major press outlets including BT Sports, Sky News & The Telegraph to name a few. The phrase “I Am Enough” was created to help, inspire, and motivate women. In a society of pressures from social media, body negativity, increasing suicide rates because of online bullying, the phrase was one for
women to see inspiration and gratitude from within, rather than from external sources. A phrase they can say online or in the mirror – to know THEY ARE ENOUGH and that no one else can tell them otherwise. I was curious as to whether Victoria would be of interest to speak with on your podcast? I look forward to hearing from you. All the best, Jess x 25/04/22
Finalised Vic’s pitched and emailed to Jennifer to begin outreach. Responded to emails. Booked in influencers for a complimentary treatment and confirmed arrival for the VIP night at Brow HQ. Organised and managed invitation tracker for the Dreamboys 2022 press night (including potential guests to be pulled onto the stage). Continued adding to the Dreamboys 2022 press night tracker (goodie bags). Distributed a PR request for Brad McClelland alongside the below pitch. Pitched Brad to hotels for a complimentary stay in exchange for social content: Hi _, I hope you are well and don't mind me reaching out to you? I wanted to get in touch to introduce you to Brad McClelland, Brad is in your area tomorrow night, and I would love to hear your thoughts on offering him a complimentary stay in exchange for social content. Brad would love to share his stay with the 559K followers he has on Instagram, do let me know if it is of interest to you.
Brad’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/brad_mcclell/ Best wishes, Jessica x 26/04/22
Outreach to London hotels to offer Brad McClelland a complimentary stay in exchange for content creation. Call with the Dreamboys manager Alice and social manager Rachel to run through the 2022 press night plan which I curated (invitation list, content creation, goodie bag, sponsors, stalls, and experiences).
27/04/22
Continued managing podcast tracker for MODA PR client Vic Rush (including review podcasts). Brow HQ open day and VIP night prep: - Chased any emails and updated the invitation tracker accordingly. - Construct the goodie bags. - Organised Brow HQ leaflets. - Organised the hiring of prosecco and arranged delivery times. HLD brainstorm for talent GK Barry, Izzy Fairthorne, Emily Miller, Sharon Gaffka, and Talulah-Eve.
28/04/22
29/04/22
Finalising the Dreamboys press night plan. Brow HQ open day and VIP night. Job role consisted of: - Welcoming guests into the salon. - Providing guests with complimentary prosecco, nibbles and a goodie bag. - Taking guests on a tour around the salon. - Washing prosecco glasses. Managed and organised TikTok tracker for Ash Dykes: Ash wants to create content on TikTok, I therefore put together a tracker to showcase the ideas which I have for him (areas to focus on which are: travel, adventure, action, fitness, coaching and inspirational quotes and speeches). Ash Dykes Instagram management: MTM manager Harry Holland wanted me to look over Ash’s Instagram content (like the process I conducted for Brad which has been a great success). Examples of what I believe to be strong imagery on Ash Dykes Instagram feed:
Examples of Imagery I believe should be archived to aid a stronger feed aesthetic:
02/04/22
Conducted a summary handover for both MODA PR and MTM Communications. April 2022 coverage tracker for all clients.
EVALUATION: Has my placement opened new/ future considerations? Future career planning: During my placement with MTM Communications and MODA PR I have certainly been opened to a new future consideration. At the beginning of my placement, I was assigned talent manager for MTM Communications, and I worked closely with talent Brad McClelland, Ash Dykes, and Jack @beachbuminasuit during my placement period. I found great interest in working with talent and I found the role challenging yet rewarding, however now I have completed the placement period I have reflected on the role and concluded I won’t be pursuing this career path.
Throughout my placement I pitched MTM and MODA PR clients to brands for paid collaborations and between myself and other employees involved it was an increasingly hard challenge to secure paid deals. During my placement we found most brands wanted to offer giftings with no fee and the challenge to secure a paid deal seemed to be unreachable. As a business for MODA PR who take only 20% of the talents fee, it is evident talent needs a lot of time and attention for an unpredictable income. This certainly had an impact in respect to my future career planning as financially the future for influencing and content creation appears to be uncertain. Midway through my placement, Jennifer Hodgson (the founder of MODA PR) introduced me to events and event planning which I instantly found joy and love for. MODA’s client Dreamboys have their 2022 press night approaching in September and I dived straight into any preparation regarding the night, this consisted of collating a list of potential brands we can collaborate with for goodie bags, sponsors, stalls, and I managed a tracker for invitations and content planning. Furthermore, I got involved with client Brow HQ’s grand opening day and VIP night (including all the prep before the event). Event’s will certainly be something I consider for future career planning and my placement consolidated my passion for this area of work. On my last day of placement founder of MODA PR Jennifer Hodgson and account manager Ashley Rudd asked me to join their team permanently. Jennifer and Ashley were really impressed by my professionalism at the Brow HQ VIP night and following my placement period they could see a lot of potential with me being a part of the MODA PR team. Being offered a job at MODA PR has certainly opened a future career opportunity for me and provided me with the opportunity to oversee the full planning and execution of brand events and launches (I will be taking the lead on the upcoming Dreamboys press night in September). Furthermore, Harry Holland (MTM Communications manager) would also love for me to continue supporting their talent going forward. Since my placement period Harry has been in contact to discuss me being involved with their meetings as they appreciate my perspective, opinions, and knowledge. It is a privilege to know my work ethic and what I produced during my placement has had a lasting impact on the brand and the workers involved. I believe I was lucky enough to receive a role due to how well I adapted to understand our clients career directory and USP. My placement has made me realise two key characteristics of mine, how well I work under pressure on time restraints and how confidently I can communicate to others. Upon reflection these skills have surprised me the most. TIMESHEET: