How did you get into Public Relations/communications; how long has that been?
I studied Media, Culture and Communications at Greenwich University London, afterwards I did a course in Marketing. I have been in the industry for 18 years now.
What is your interest/specialization in PR?
I specialize in BTL integrated marketing, this encompasses utilizing all the tools that are necessary to allow a company engage and maintain dialogue with its target marketing (tools include PR, experiential events, concept development etc).
What is a regular day for you as a PR/Communications Person?
Every morning I listen to daily international, local news, then I read and monitor media reports about major clients and potential clients for the past week or day, researching and identifying new business opportunities, working with team members to develop content for clients as well as the company.
How do you think PR can help change how brands are perceived?
It’s not what I think, it’s what I know, with PR brands can tell their stories in their own unique way and with their own unique tone, this then builds brand reputation and engagement with target market.
What kind of challenges did you face in your Public Relations career choice?
Companies do not understand the value of PR and its use beyond sharing CSR and event information, challenges related to sharing ideas with marketers and then having them sharing them with the CEO, in house companies do not have dialogues amongst themselves which results in the marketing team lacking appropriate information about the events and happenings within the company.
Are you living your PR dream? If you were not into PR what will have been your next career choice?
Not yet, this is because there are not enough companies who are bold and creative, who embrace the full nuances of PR, they mostly stick to the status quo which is boring. My PR dream would be to launch a PR campaign which is creative, different, interesting and also gets the desired results. I would do exactly what I am doing presently which is being an entrepreneur, I am not exclusively into PR, so brand management and entrepreneurship would be what I would be doing even if I wasn’tdoing PR.
As a PR Professional, what can’t you live without……?
Innovative products and tools that help me get my job done, Digital outlets (news channels) so I can always stay update with happenings and new developments, and my contacts.
Do you mind sharing some tools, apps, books or resources that have helped your PR work?
Google Alert is an amazing tool for keeping track of clients and their competitors both globally and locally, Hoot suite to keep track of hashtags and digital campaigns, Reading industry relevant e-magazines such as: Campaigns, Biz Community, Brand Essence, I use ever note to keep track of new ideas and any useful information for
clients and my personal projects, Project management app for managing campaigns, scheduling tasks etc.
Do you feel pressured to dress well for the job?
Not at all, I am a creative person and I don’t like fitting into any kind of box that society has set up. I dress and present myself how I creatively please, some days I could dress funky, conservative etc. what’s important to me is to keep my creativity alive.
What is your favorite social media platform and why?
I don’t have a favorite platform, I am highly indifferent to them. I feel they are serve their various purposes. LinkedIn is good for business, Facebook is good for family, friends and reaching a mass market whilst Instagram is very aspirational to mention a few.
Any advice to young ladies especially African women who may want pursue a career in PR or any communications related profession?
Yes, my advice to them would be take yourself seriously, Read! Read and Read, Research, Hold yourself accountable and constantly work towards developing ideas, and don’t focus on what everyone else is doing, define your own creative approach in order to become the best at what you do.
You can connect with Nadia via LinkedIn – Nadia Takyiwaa-Mensah.
