Chloe started at iProspect UK just over a year ago, and in that time has helped develop the outreach product using skills and expertise brought with her from her traditional PR background, into an award-nominated team of experts. Recently promoted into the role of Outreach Manager, we sat down with her to chat about what makes her tick, and how iProspect UK has helped her onto the career path she never knew she wanted.
Hey Chloe! Tell us what brought you to iProspect UK in the first place?
At just over four years in traditional PR agencies, I’d burnt myself out and decided it was time for a change. I knew Erica (fellow Outreach Manager) outside work, and she told me to apply for a Digital Outreach Executive role which was open. She promised a fun team, supportive culture, better work-life balance and a more flexible working pattern if needed. This was obviously alongside the great campaign work I’d seen from them before.
Needless to say, It was the best career move I made.
And, where you are now – is it the progression you thought you’d take?
I’ll be completely honest, no. When I first started, I came on board thinking I thought I would be working more in influencer marketing and working my way back up to a career in this new(ish) area. However, since the start of 2018, we’ve been slowly evolving our content campaigns to focus predominantly on Digital PR, to achieve better results for SEO. At first, I wasn’t sure this was the route I wanted to go down, but now I actually love it – the campaigns are very different to traditional PR, and I can utilise and build on all my expertise gathered over the years. At a year and three months into my career at iProspect UK, I’m now an Outreach Manager and I’m really proud of my progression, growth and impact to the team and product so far.
You introduced a number of services to the Outreach Team since you started – the Daily News Review, The Panel, and monthly team breakfasts; can you tell us how you think these have helped innovate the Outreach Product as a whole?
I’ve had some great feedback on the news review from client teams for keeping them up-to-date on the industry, the content team for helping with brainstorm inspiration, and the outreach team for helping them feel more in the loop with the news. In my opinion, the news review is one of the most important daily activities, to keep all teams up-to-date with the industry, which is at the heart of everything we do.
The Panel is another great concept, helping us to review and strengthen our campaign ideas before pitching to the client (with the added media leverage). Having panel approved ideas has already helped us to get concepts signed off with the client and I think The Panel will really strengthen our content and outreach offering moving forward.
The monthly team breakfast is one of my favourites. I think team ‘bonding’ is super important, making sure you get to spend time together outside of the stressful situations and get to know each other. Getting on with those you work with can improve happiness in the workplace...and we all want a happy team!
You are one of our Mental Health First Aiders – why did you feel it was important to push for that training, and, how has it helped you in your day-to-day?
Mental Health is really important to me. I am very passionate about people and mental health can play such a big part in people’s happiness. I thought that by becoming a Mental Health First Aider I would be able to help remove the stigma behind being open about mental health, but also be able to help support those in need in the workplace, and direct them in the right way to help them become happier once again.
You also were shortlisted for an award recently. Tell us more about that!
I was urged to put myself forward for the WACL (Women in Advertising and Communications, London) Future Leaders award at the end of last year. With my passion for people, my entry focused entirely around this, from my past experiences to what I want to bring to iProspect UK. I entered with the hope of winning a place on a career coaching course, to further support and build my team and help everyone feel fulfilled and motivated, and therefore happier in everything they do. I made it through to the final round, as one of 65 shortlisted from over 250 applicants, whereby I presented my entry to the board. That’s as far as I got...this time round. But it was a great experience, I’m very proud of how I did, and I’ll definitely be entering again.
What does a typical day look like for you?
It always starts with the News Review. However, the rest of my day varies so much, from ideation, brainstorms and research to prepping or conducting outreach and liaising with clients. Throw in team catch-ups, media meets, proposals, liaising with the panel and writing blog posts like this. No day is ever the same!
And night?
My friends always laugh at how manic my diary is. Outside work, I’m a Blogger (food and lifestyle) and do restaurant reviews for another Blogger/Instagrammer too. It really is all go, but I love it.
Thanks so much for chatting with me today. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I’d like to urge everyone to always believe in themselves and their abilities. Also, if you think you have a great idea at work, make it heard. If you’re in an innovative company, you will be listened to and it could become even bigger than imagined.
And finally: cats or dogs?
Dogs. But there is one cat who I love...
