Jodie first joined #TeamEV for work experience as part of the agency’s Grow Your Own initiative in 2015, before returning as a permanent member of the team after graduating from Birmingham City University with a First-Class Honours in Media & Communications. Now having been at EV. for three years, Jodie is an Account Manager working with clients across a range of industries including arts and culture, hospitality and the Third Sector.

• How did you get into PR?

During my studies in Marketing and Communication at BCU, I carried out numerous internships within PR agencies across Birmingham and Stoke. I worked with BCU Alumni, Tiger Bam Comms, for several months and joined EV. throughout the three years of my studies for work experience and event support. My passion at university had always been design and radio, but after working in a PR agency, I instantly fell in love with PR and knew that it was something I wanted to do after university.

• Tell us a bit more about your role!

As an Account Manager at EV., my job is to lead on both strategy and delivery for our clients. Working with the team, I ensure that we’re always focused on client objectives and delivering strategic ideas seamlessly. A day is never the same in my role, I can be working on new PR campaigns, meeting with clients or selling into press, there’s always something to be getting on with!

• What is your favourite part of the job?

The team! We have such an amazing team at EV. and it’s just got bigger! When it comes to wins, whether its client wins, team wins or just personal wins, we’re all so happy for each other and it’s so lovely to see. I am such a personable person and love meeting new people, so it also brings me great joy to work with so many different people and businesses.

• What’s your go-to coffee order?

I will always go for a caramel macchiato, and though my preference is iced, I do enjoy a hot one also! I do try to limit my coffee intake though, so after my morning coffee I will then usually order an iced tea.

• Here’s a divisive question… dogs or cats?

Dogs! I’ve never had my own dog, but I co-own the EV. dogs… right?!

• What are your top three marketing tools that you can’t live without?

Readly – I absolutely love having a Readly subscription at EV. as it helps keep me up today with all of the latest news and trends. There’s nothing like buying a brand-new glossy magazine and flicking through it, but with Readly there are so many titles to choose from and it also means I don’t miss out on my dose of Stylist when working from home.

Tik Tok – It’s no secret that I’m victim to falling into a Tik Tok hole. However, beyond my love for exciting new dances (that I cannot do for the life of me!) and dog videos, Tik Tok has created a brand-new space for brands to get creative and capture new audiences, and I am here for it.

Slack – Though it takes me back to the days of MSN (lol), Slack has been such a great tool for the team to stay connected when working from home!

• What is one top tip that you give every client about PR?

Know that you’re the expert and own it. Marketing is becoming more human-led so it’s important that you profile the people behind your brand, and there’s no one more qualified than yourself. So, speak out and share your thoughts in your space!

• What is your PR trend prediction for 2021 and beyond?

I think that there’s going to be a much bigger need for values-led PR. Connecting with your audience by speaking to their passions and beliefs is going to be key to building your customer base. As your competition gets bigger, it’s important that you build trust with your audience so that in-time you build a loyal following.

• Who would your dream client be and why?

I don’t think any of the team will be surprised when I say this, but Trentham Gardens. I love working with small businesses, the hospitality industry, and destinations, and this is everything that Trentham has to offer (not to mention I also grew up down the road from there!). I just think there are so many opportunities and not enough people know about it!

• Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to get into the industry?

I recently became a mentor for students and graduates at BCU and my advice is always… networking and experience. Some people often forget, but I think the power of networking is so strong. And for experience, well I wouldn’t have got the job at EV. without interning alongside my studies!