Portsmouth Football Club - Director of Media and Communications
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive and Board, the role involved
responsibility for the Premier League club’s dealings with all forms of the media and overall accountability for the
club’s website, match day programme and live big screen output. Briefing for Board members prior to media interviews
and acting as the club spokesman on all matters to national and international press.
Organising two press conferences
a week and briefing the manager and players for pre and post-match interviews and conferences. In addition, responsibility
for all media operations during a match day.
Also selected as a member
of the Premier League’s Media Working Group, along with equivalent personnel at Manchester United and Chelsea. The group
advises the PL on media issues and policy and then reports into the PL stake holders.
FIFPro World
X1 Player Awards Launch – Celador International
Spearheaded
international media coverage of the event with international footballers such as John Terry, Ronaldinho and Wayne Rooney.
From Media Launch to high-profile Awards Evening, building up awareness through targeted media coverage and ensuring maximum
worldwide coverage through press liaison, player interviews and branding of the event.
Test Cricket Highlights Win – Five
Released
surprise announcement that Five had won the rights to England Test Highlights gaining coverage in all sports and media sections
and briefing on the near 100% coverage of Five by the time of the First Test covered.
Euro 2004 – ITV
Organised
London media launch, hosted by Des Lynam and including Sir Bobby Robson, Terry Venables, Graham Taylor, Ally McCoist and Andy
Townsend. Also set up pre-publicity and ongoing PR thoughout the event.
Varsity
Boat Race – ITV
Handled
press announcement that ITV had taken the University Boat Race off the BBC for the first time. Massive positive publicity
for ITV achieved.
Ron
Atkinson ‘racist’ resignation – ITV
Handled
ITV’s crisis management of Big Ron’s resignation, with the result that ITV were seen as a responsible broadcaster
for their swift dealing of the situation.
Formula One – ITV
Arranged
media dinner for all F1 writers before the start of the season with onscreen talent and set up a year-long strategy of publicity
throughout the season for ITV.
Premiership loss – ITV
Managed
ITV’s loss of the Premiership to the BBC. Making sure that ITV were not seen as bad losers ad ensuring the media were
aware of the comparable viewing figures and improved production values of the programming.
2003
Rugby World Cup - ITV
Responsible for promoting
ITV’s coverage of the event to the media. Organised press launch at Twickenham with commentary team and guest Sir Clive
Woodward and worked up a PR strategy to encompass the build-up to the event and ongoing PR through to the Final. Massive coverage
achived for ITV.
Alec
Stewart Biography – BBC Books
Arranged
serialisation of the former England cricket captain's book in The Times, media coverage in national press, radio and TV
and organised a nationwide book signing tour which also attracted media coverage.
Test Cricket – C4/Sunset+Vine
Launched
C4’s innovative coverage of cricket working with both the broadcaster and production company. Key aim was to focus on
the new editorial and technical advances that would give the game a ‘fresh approach’ to the most traditional of
sports, while also promoting onscreen talent throughout the season.
Euro 2000 – Eurosport
Organised
European media and press launch in Amsterdam and ensured coverage of the broadcaster’s innovative ‘Night Club’
was featured in media across the continent and arranged local coverage with commentary team in different countries.
'Do I Not Like That’ – Graham Taylor documentary -
C4/Chrysalis Sport/VVL
Handled all publicity for
the fly-on-the-wall documentary about Graham Taylor's ill-fated time in charge of the England football team. From placing
the vast use of four-letter words to arranging the press launch and then following up with more footage and PR in the extended
video version.