Molly Cole, Platform Comms

Speaker A: Hello. Welcome to the Media Careers Podcast. The return. Thank you so much to everyone who reached out to us when we announced that the podcast was coming going to close a month ago. We are so delighted to say that we're back thanks to our Buy Me a Coffee campaign. We would love you to help keep the podcast going through this Buy Us a Coffee campaign. The links are in our show notes. Right. Should we get on with the show? I am really blessed to work with so many talented people in the industry, and Molly Cole is no different. Molly is a consultant at Platform Comms, a PR and marketing agency that helps media and technology companies build their brand. Molly shares with me today that she's a twin and has undiagnosed adhd. And it's really clear from our chat together how passionate she is about the community in the sector and writing stories for brands within the industry. She explains to me how important trade shows are and how she has really got underneath the details of the brands she supports by attending shows at IBC and nab. I am so thankful to Molly for all of her work that she does with me on our project on air, and I really enjoy chatting with her. She is just amazing. I hope you enjoy this. Molly. Welcome to the Media Careers Podcast.

Speaker B: Hi, Carrie. Good to be here.

Speaker A: Yeah, nice to, uh, nice to see you. Now, you and I know each other quite well. We work together a lot through the Media Talent Manifesto and our, uh, big projects, like, on air. But I don't think I've ever chatted to you about your. How you got into the industry, your education, your career, before I knew you. So I'm looking forward to this one. It's gonna be good. So, um, with that in mind, Molly, tell us. Tell us a little bit about what you were like as a child. Wind yourself back and tell us any interests or hobbies you might have had.

Speaker B: Really throwing it back. Yeah, I mean, as a child. I mean, I grew up as a twin, actually, which I think changed. I mean, uh, people always say, what's it like to be a twin? I'm like, well, I don't actually know what it's like to not be one.

Speaker A: No, I know that's such a weird question, isn't it?

Speaker B: But what it did mean that I think it led to me being incredibly chatty, incredibly loud. You're always sort of fighting for every word and speaking at the same time and over each other. Um, so that very much created that dynamic growing up. I definitely, sort of, looking back now, had undiagnosed ADHD as well, which I always did well academically at school and especially as a girl, I think that's then not picked up on because it wasn't that I was being naughty and misbehaving and doing those sorts of things.

Speaker A: Yeah.

Speaker B: But I really struggled. For example, I did one of my GCSEs, really enjoyed that sort of period of school and sort of threw myself into everything. But then, um, because I sort of had a natural aptitude and I was awful at revising because I was sort of either all in on one thing or just, you know, sort of picking up things as they came along. So then when I got to A levels and I actually needed to stay focused and stick with a regime of okay, setting time aside and putting revision and being more self led, I was like complete fumble. Which meant that when it did get to A levels, I was so lost about what to do with my career, I was so lost about what I wanted to do academically. Ended up at times having quite poor attendance, deciding I was going to do. I went from having unconditional to do law to bring them up and saying, actually, I don't want to do this. Accepting an apprenticeship for accounting. The day before my apprenticeship was about to start, I emailed them. I was like, I don't want to do this.

Speaker A: Oh wow, Molly.

Speaker B: I know. So I was just complete erratic, just like, I don't know what I want to do. Ended up on results day of A levels ringing up.

Speaker A: What did you do for A levels, Molly? Tell us. What, tell us. Go back to that bit. So you, so you passed your GCSES and stayed at school to do A levels?

Speaker B: Uh, yeah, I went to a different school to do A levels because my school didn't offer a six form. And I do think it's really hard actually just thinking Even back to GCSEs, how from such an early age you've got to pick those and you're narrowing down your choices again.

Speaker A: Yeah.

Speaker B: And especially, you know, I grew up in quite a rural area. It's not like you grew up seeing a working class background as well. People with all these different careers and things to know what all the options are. Yeah, like do that research yourself and then pick these options which will affect that.

Speaker A: Uh, well also work out who you are as well. Like what am I actually good at? How do I. And also how do I work? Like where, what kind of environment is going to be good for me? Am I going to be better in a small company, a big company, as you say, it's where you've Got to talk a lot. Or whether you're going to be on your own or like just all of that. I don't think it's so nuanced. The environment that you perform best in, in terms of work that actually I think. I agree. I think it's near and impossible.

Speaker B: Completely agree. And then if there's not, you know, if you don't grow up in an area in a city where there's these companies, maybe do internships and work experience out as well, you m. Can have even less of an idea about what environment is suitable.

Speaker A: Yeah. And that jump. And that jump between GCSEs and. Aw. Sorry. I'm. I think it's quite big as well. I think a lot of people. I think a lot of people find that transition harder, actually.

Speaker B: I remember people saying, and I agree with it now, that the gap between GCSEs to A levels feels like harder and bigger than the gap between A levels and university. And I would actually completely agree with that.

Speaker A: I would.

Speaker B: As a failure was what I ended up doing was maths, history and English literature.

Speaker A: Okay.

Speaker B: And I actually really did enjoy those. Daylight was. I think I probably. Well, I say I pick the same. Again. I go through it sometimes. I'm like, maybe I should have done more of a STEM route because I found that interesting. Or maybe I should have done more of this route and it changes. But as a whole, I was sort of happy with those options. I liked. It's a bit of a strange one doing maths and English. I think people either tend to go one route or another, but I enjoyed both. I still do enjoy the sort of math side and it's sort of why I think parts of my job now. I like some of the data side and that more sort of nitty gritty. But then I also like the creative stuff and like the writing and English and history and the more humanity sort of aspect as well.

Speaker A: So why did you start with law? Why did. How did you end up with like, obviously you didn't end up doing that, but why did you actually even apply to do law?

Speaker B: Growing up? It's what I always had in my mind I wanted to do. In my head I was like, I'm going to study law at Cambridge University and that is what I'm going to do.

Speaker A: Like, did it come from anywhere? Was it like a.

Speaker B: Grew up in Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, sort of border and Cambridge probably the close. It's the closest city in the sense of. Because you have the direct train. Whereas even though Norwich is also obviously in the Same county. You have to get a bus to get there.

Speaker A: Right.

Speaker B: So Cambridge was much more accessible. Sort of grew up going there when I was first sort of allowed by myself to venture further than just the local town. Cambridge is where we'd go and it just felt like far enough away where it was, you know, a jump, but also like not incredibly far.

Speaker A: Yeah.

Speaker B: And also just the sort of pressy. I'm the first in my family to go to university and I went with my parents when this idea of like Oxford and Cambridge just felt, uh, like such a beacon to look up to. And Laura still, I still do find it interesting and like the whole sort of legal system and just sort of. I went on a few days during like A levels and things and got to sort of say I got to stay at Cambridge during that. And I just found the whole experience incredibly enjoyable. So maybe think, yeah, this is. Right. This is what I should do.

Speaker A: Yeah.

Speaker B: But looking back, I mean, I'm glad I didn't end up going down that route. Yeah.

Speaker A: I mean, so interesting. Is it? And what made you then make the call go, actually, I don't want to do this. What was in your head? Because you obviously did enjoy the days and you obviously had it in your head for quite a long time on

Speaker B: results day because obviously I decided to do the apprenticeship routes and I had it apply on results day through clearing because I declined on my university.

Speaker A: Yeah.

Speaker B: It was just then on the day I rang up and asked if I could do a history degree when I was bringing up. And I sort of. I decided on the spot that's what I was going to do.

Speaker A: So you applied for law and then said no, then you were going to do the accounting apprenticeship and then said no and then you ended up doing history. That's wild.

Speaker B: I think I was checking out everyone in my family. Yeah.

Speaker A: I was gonna say, what was your. What was your twin doing at the time were.

Speaker B: Well, she went to college, um, at the time. So she was doing quite a different route as well. She's the more sort of college route rather than university and she was actually then working in a primary school.

Speaker A: Right.

Speaker B: Okay.

Speaker A: So hers was really different.

Speaker B: Yeah, completely different. And I don't think, like, you know, my mum is not. My m. Mum's, um, a single mum and she had not gone to university so she didn't really know how to advise either. But like, over to you.

Speaker A: It's really hard though, I think. I think even the clearing system is really tricky and just really tricky. Yeah.

Speaker B: Unfair results day and opened my results and then I was on the phone, I just felt so emotional and overwhelmed. And I rang up City University of London and they accept me in. And I'm like, okay, well, I've got halls and get ready to go then.

Speaker A: Yeah.

Speaker B: Then it was this madness of, you know, from Results Day, suddenly realized, okay, I'm going to be moving to London, have to sort all of that out. It's very long.

Speaker A: And that's not long either because like, like results say, is like mid August, isn't it? And then you tend to get to freshers week, like mid September or something.

Speaker B: So that' September I moved. So it's a very quick sort of period. I mean, and I was so happy, so happy that not only did I go down the university route, because outside of even just the degree itself, I think it gives you so much exposure to different people, different, you know, backgrounds and environments, different hobbies, different all sorts. And like, just being in a city in general. And I think going to university is the best way to move to a city in the sense of, like, halls is sort of like that halfway. You're a student, you've got the summers, then you're not fully, like, responsible when having to, you know, venture out by yourself and do all bills included. You've got that bit of in between. But you still do have that freedom when you're away from home and you get to sort of make your own mistakes and figure things out. So I'm really glad that I did do that and London was the one that I went to. But, yeah, it was. And I think that sort of sums up sort of a bit of my childhood as well. Like that sort of erraticness and things. I was very much all in one of everything that I've ever sort of done. So if there's something that I want to be, I'm like, going all the way. So it's like, oh, I'm going to do an apprenticeship. Okay. I'm. I was actually bunking off school to get a bus to Peterborough to apply to this apprenticeship and my mum rang me and I was like, where are you? And I was like, at school. And she was like, no, you're not. Like, your teacher. Just ran my way to an interview. She's like, why? What's going on? Uh, but I was like, yeah, in my head, this is what I'm going to do. And I was very selfish, matured, and felt like I know what I'm doing. And even if I then did change my mind, I always felt sort of confident to lead my way and go for, and figure out along the way even if you know, mistakes were then sort of made. But I feel like mistakes are important as well.

Speaker A: Yeah, how you learn it is how it is how you learn. And actually I think that is a good way to be as well. Like it being self assured at least because you can be, at least you can be confident in the changes that you were doing. So you weren't kind of umming and ah, and going oh, I don't know, I don't know you actually. No, I'm done with accounting, I'm going over to history. Like at least you could be that kind of focus and go actually that's it. Um, I'm, I'm done with that. So what was history like at university? Were you, was it the subject that you were happy studying in the end?

Speaker B: Yeah, I mean I've always enjoyed history. I've always enjoyed, you know, reading history books, watching history on TV and like learning it. And I think a big part of that was I always loved my history teachers.

Speaker A: I think they really amazing aren't they? Like they can make such a difference.

Speaker B: Incredibly so. I mean there's, I think all of us have experiences where you've been turned off certain subjects or put on based on the teacher alone. And they always say you shouldn't pick a subject based on the teacher but if you know you're going to have two years with a teacher that you can't stand because just the way they approach, you know. And I think most teachers are, you know, really good and really trying. We've all had ones where it's just not quite gelling with or the opposite and that pushes you into it. And that was my experience with history. So doing the degree, I sort of really enjoyed it because it was more of that. But then again some of the same struggles available with sticking with things and making sure you're very much responsible for yourself at university. So like I always did get the work done and I always, you know, got the results and handed in the papers but a lot of it was mad 24 hours staying up overnight, writing it the night, you know, or two nights before. Um, because it was sort of like that adrenaline but okay, it's here which sort of powered me on to do it.

Speaker A: I was exactly the same. I was exactly the same. I did loads of 24 hours to get papers done and luckily with a group of friends who I could then sit with and you know, I wasn't the only student that was doing that and I think that is a thing because you're busy living your life. Yeah, it's a bonding thing. Yeah, it definitely is. It's definitely a bonding thing and a camaraderie and actually I've got this book. Do you want that book? Like, there was a lot of, like, sharing resources and. Can I borrow that now? And have you seen this? Quite. And, but, um.

Speaker B: But I don't think, oh, next one gonna be getting it done way ahead of time. This would never happen.

Speaker A: It's funny, isn't it?

Speaker B: I mean, in my dissertation, which was actually comparing Brexit to the English Reformation in terms of English nationhood because I loved the Tudors, but also most of my degree had been studying sort of more newer history. So I wanted to sort of blend the two times. I decided that was the way to go about it.

Speaker A: What a project. Amazing. So when you were kind of coming up to graduating, uh, had you got any thoughts about your career? And was media anywhere on your radar?

Speaker B: Like, Well, I always love the creative industry and I, you know, love sort of media growing up, love TVs, love movies, love the whole sort of thing. But again, just in my area, it wasn't really a thing. I'd not have much exposure to careers in that area. I didn't know all the sort of different options that they were. So when it come to applying, I mean, honestly, I wanted to stay living in London. So at first it was just like, well, I'll explore everything and everything because I've got bills to pay and I don't want to have to move back home. So, uh, let's just get applying. And then I ended up coming across platform and the job description sounded really interesting to me. The idea of, you know, working with companies within this industry. And I was like, oh, actually that sounds like something for me. You know, I'll apply to this and I'll see. And you know, lo, uh, and behold, I ended up getting the job. And I think that was, you know, the great thing about working on that sort of agency side is that you get to have so much exposure to all these different companies. I mean, I've now been to free IBCs and this will be my third NAB at, you know, time of recording. Traveling tomorrow.

Speaker A: Yeah, traveling tomorrow, yeah. Ah.

Speaker B: So I've got, you know, this firsthand experience to this sort of mad world. And I've worked with, you know, all sorts of different vendors from, you know, post production to subscription management to play, uh, out. And I think that's also so all connecting to a bit like sort of how we know each Other and how we started working together with things like On Air, where, you know, we've had one case study of this incredible student, Dennis and how even though he's doing a degree literally within the industry, he'd never heard a play out before. But then since getting involved in On Air and that being his role last year, he's actually exploring careers in this area.

Speaker A: Like the lack of information. Uh, yeah. So what was the job that you applied for at Platform? What was the job title?

Speaker B: It was junior Account Executive. So it was the most sort of entry level role into the PR world platform. And yeah, most of platform clients, you know, are and have historically been in that sort of media tech sort of space. And that was very much what my clients were and sort of have been since I started.

Speaker A: So I think it's just quite interesting like for people like for uh, graduating students and new entrants into the industry to just to even understand what the job titles are actually to Junior Account Executive. Junior account Executive, yeah.

Speaker B: Uh, I mean it's such. There's so much jargon about job titles in general, isn't there?

Speaker A: There is, yeah.

Speaker B: You don't know what does junior actually mean? And what does. Exactly. And when you're.

Speaker A: Yeah. What does executive mean? How does that, what does account executive mean? It's. But I think that's why I was trying to explore it so that actually if there's anyone listening then they can actually understand what that.

Speaker B: Well, the best thing is, I mean one like, luckily the platform again, the job description was very clear about the experience you need, which is always a great sign because then you can actually map yourself against it. What I also urge any companies listening to do is put the pay within the job description. Because seeing the sort of pay, you can think, okay, well this is clearly, you know, you look at some jobs and they technically sound quite junior, but then you see the pain. It's like, well that's clearly not a junior role. This is much more senior or vice versa. So if you've got the clear description of the actual requirements, what's essential, what's desirable, the pay and all these backgrounds, then students can actually be aware and align themselves and think, okay, this is one I think I can actually do versus wasting your time as well. If they're applying and they're completely wrong for the job M. But it's. Because it's a description based on. Maybe it sounds really cool and it's buzzwordy, but it doesn't really explain.

Speaker A: It doesn't actually. I know. And you know What? And that happens so often, doesn't it? And I think now more than ever, I think it is tricky for graduates to kind of navigate that world as well. Like trying to understand what.

Speaker B: Yeah, again, as well. If you come from, you know, if you haven't had parents that, you know, do similar sort of things and are able to help you decipher all of that and you're sort of working out by yourself, but it's also your first time. I think that's really tricky to do. And I was applying to, you know, all sorts and some of it, looking back, I was like, oh, God, I'd have hated if I'd got that, you know, I didn't even know what some of it meant. And it was just going for it. Yeah.

Speaker A: Trying to find a job.

Speaker B: Exactly. And there is that sense of, you know, real urgency. I know I didn't have any, you know, fallback, so it sort of need to get it. And I got started in the September actually, so just after everyone was back from ibc, so I sort of got to see the, you know, post mortem of the show and all the takeaways and hearing about it, and I didn't even know what IBC was.

Speaker A: No.

Speaker B: So I was just like, sounds crazy. You went away to Amsterdam and then you got another one in Vegas.

Speaker A: I know. Do you know what? It's funny, isn't it? Even now. And there'll be people listening to this that won't have heard of NAB either, or ibc, who work in the kind of media and entertainment industry as well, because it's kind of got a particular, uh, part of the broader sector. There are still people that, that don't know. But it is crazy, isn't it, that people go to Amsterdam and Vegas. It is bonkers, like you said.

Speaker B: It's, you know, you know, one section of that, but a really big section. I think even though I've, like I said I was really interest in the sort of media industry in general, that sort of show is sort of going on to the general, you know, lay person behind the scenes. But you have big companies like, you know, Netflix and BBC and all these going there, but you're just not aware of it as the average viewer.

Speaker A: Yeah.

Speaker B: So, yeah, IBC is a huge trade show in Amsterdam. Um, um, that happens every year and it brings together all these different tech vendors. It brings together, you know, the media companies themselves, creators, all sorts of different people for a big show where there's, you know, exhibitors, there's speaker sessions, lots going on and I think that was actually the first time where that's one of my favorite sort of memories. My first ibc, it was the first sort of big trade show that I went to. And you do this sort of months of prep beforehand and you've heard about it or when you sort of know what it's going to be in the sense of hearing about it. And I actually even worked on the IBC account as well. So I very much knew what IBC was. But actually turning up there and seeing the Rye, the convention center in front of you, you're like, oh, wow, this is big. This is a big deal. There's so many people here and there's so much going on and you can't even explore all if you wanted to because it's, you know, huge. That's also where you get like the sort of biggest love. You get to meet the people from the industry and you realize sort of what a community is. You get to uh, listen in on some speaker sessions and you get to uh, here are actually all the cool stuff that's being, you know, going on and all the innovation that's happening and all the like fun stuff as well. And then you also get, you know, IBC is great for really opening up and having like students and skills and placing that on the stage as well. So you get to hear more about, you know, how the sector can be opening up and skills gaps and all that sort of element, uh, of things as well. Which is something you know, that I've always been massively interested in, always try to sort of advocate for. So seeing that placed on the stage and seeing the value in that M.

Speaker A: I think, yeah, IBC have done a brilliant job of that over the last few years, pulling all of that together and profiling kind of new talent and talent generally. And that talent program strand is, is brilliant. Molly, I'm really interested. When you first started at platform and you didn't know the media industry and you didn't know the clients, you didn't know about IBC and NAB and the kind of the in depth expertise that you need to kind of navigate all of that, how did you get your head around it all? Because there's a lot to take in and I know you'd have been so much taken. Yeah, I know you'd been supported by amazing colleagues, but how did you kind of start to kind of absorb all of that information and get to grips with your first job? Right. What did that.

Speaker B: Well, yeah, that is one of the things, you know, it's great colleagues are important. And having people that you can ask, you know, the stupid questions do. And I'm, I believe, uh, in, you know, no stupid questions. But having people where you feel like that is true too, and you can ask that is massively important because you're in the industry and within any, within any industry there's huge amounts of jargon and acronyms and, you know, FAST and Avon and all these different things where you actually know what it is, but you've never heard it called that. You know, we all know what ads on your streaming platform are, but hearing it called AVOD or hearing the streaming platform called SVOD when you're new to it, what does this mean? I don't understand.

Speaker A: Yeah, yeah.

Speaker B: Um, so a lot of it is, you know, just research. Reading through different companies websites, sort of just reading trade publications. They're great because they've got, uh, you know, there's so many great editors and journalists out there are putting the time into doing these easy explainers, these videos, these interviews with these different companies. So you really get to understand what it is that all this stuff that you're being sort of bombarded with isn't that like, for example, TV Europe do a great meet their series where you can read about different people from different roles and how they got there. And that helps you understand the people side of it. And then, I know, Feed, for example, do these sort of explainer videos and explain the topics on the big, you know, buzz sort of stuff going on as well. You know, things like Waters Fast.

Speaker A: Yeah.

Speaker B: Uh, so really reading directly from those sorts of sources is a great way to start to understand it. And then you sort of learn by doing. I mean, I'd encourage anyone who wants to get into the industry, get your foot in the door somehow, you know, get a job. Whether that's, you know, but I guess it depends the sort of background, what you're interested in. But whether that's a runner, whether that's at a tech company, whether that's, you know, on the sort of marketing and PR side, whatever that may be, if you just get yourself involved, actually being immersed in it is how you'll learn. It's how you will learn. Oh, this is my aptitude. This is what I'm good, uh, at. This is what I enjoy. Oh, uh, this particular section I find most fascinating because there's so much going on behind the scenes and it's such a huge, vast industry. You literally won't know all the stuff and all the options that there are for you until you get involved and Even once you are involved, you won't know because there's so many different companies doing such niche little things and exploring new areas that you could have been doing it for 30 years and still meet someone who's doing a completely different role that you'd never heard of before. And they're covering this one little segment that you didn't even realize had this attention on it.

Speaker A: No, it is mad, isn't it, how it all sits together and actually this, as you say, this whole ecosystem is there that, you know, we might know a bit about it, but actually there's all of this and a part of

Speaker B: that as well, going to trade shows. Like, you know, obviously the NABS and IBCs are great and they're incredible and they're huge. But if you're just sort of starting to step your foot in the door and you're UK based, for example, there's so many smaller trade shows that you can go to. And especially in like London where uh, there's different industry meetups and shows where you can figure out and speak to people directly. And most people are genuinely very friendly, nice people in this industry where if you speak to them and say, hi, I'd like to know more about this, they will explain to you and they will give you, guide you towards different resources and tell you different things that you can go to in the future. And that's how your whole world starts to expand. And that's how I found that the longer I've been in the industry and the more shows that I've gone to and I've met people like yourself and I've gone to other uh, sort of events off of it. I've learned like what different opportunities are available to me for, you know, different things to attend and ways to learn and develop my skills. You know, whether that's for example like public speaking and even speaking in a format like this, I always found really nerve wracking. And I think I don't, I think people would expect it from me because I think I'm quite a loud person. I give quite an air of confidence.

Speaker A: Mhm.

Speaker B: But often inside, when it's in those formats, I'm thinking, oh my God, I can hear my throat coming up. And it's quite a daunting experience to me. But then, um, you go to these events and you go to these shows and the more you do it, the easier it becomes. But they also have specialist, you know, panels and sessions where they teach new skills to address these different things. So it's not just like the Media industry skills, but they also teach you the skills just broadly you need to know for careers M which I think is great about how community driven this industry is.

Speaker A: Yeah. And I think speaking is actually one of the key ones. And we know that there aren't as many women that are represented on panels generally, particularly in the media tech space, which is a lot of where our time is spent. But that is such an important skill to, uh, learn. And particularly a lot of our industry is about communication. So building up that skill and knowledge of how to address those butterflies that we all get from speaking, I think is a really important skill to learn. And as you say, there are resources and events and panels and things that can help you.

Speaker B: Like you say about how less women as well. And I think we can think that we feel these butterflies and feel that imposter syndrome, so don't do it. But the men may also be feeling that by still doing it and marring themselves forward and not the case always. But always I'm a big believer until fake it till you make it. If you exude sort of confidence and force yourself to do the speaking, then no one else knows that you're feeling afraid. No one else knows that it's just you. And eventually you won't feel that either. You will feel the way you're faking to feel.

Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, I think that's so true. And I think particularly when you're a new entrant and you are going to these events like, um, the Simpty Young Innovators event that happens, there's so many university students there and they do a brilliant job of coming. And obviously the industry guests will make an effort to make sure they chat to young people too. But I think that can feel overwhelmed, overwhelming. And. But as you say, nobody knows. And so if you just. It is just about sometimes just getting the words out and just going, just say something and then it will, and then it eases and you do get better at it and more comfortable with it, for sure.

Speaker B: And the more as well you go to these different sort of networking events and things, the easier it is because once you meet people at one, they might be at a future one and it's easier. You could turn up and you see them and you're like, oh, hi, I've got someone to speak to. And then expand your network, which makes it easier for one, for, you know, any people out there who are wanting to find their job and things. You know, a network such an important way and a great way to be able to do that because People will hear about the right experiences and put you forward and help you get there. But also just for making your time in the industry more enjoyable once you get there. I mean, I've spoken to people at events recently and they've had a career break because of, you know, maternity and things. They're now coming back. So they're going to these events for the first time and not really knowing people, but they're trying to find their tribe or they're the only woman in their industry because it's in their company, because it's quite a small company and very sort of niche. So they're trying to go to these events to have a bit of a network, um, outside of it where they could be talking about their issues or people that relate and you know, even though they love their job, they need that outside connection as well.

Speaker A: That connection is really important, isn't it?

Speaker B: Very, very important. And there's so many, I think, uh, we are so lucky, that industry. There are so many of those events and so many organizations running them. And there's any mentoring programs, whether you're the great ones, you run for, you know, neurodivergent people and people from different, you know, ethnic backgrounds and people from different minorities and there's ones for women. There's so many different ones out there which, you know, apply for it, go for it and then once you are part of them, make the most of it. Because the mentors that you're assigned with are people who've been in the industry who know it, who are able to really be a sound board for you and ask them all the silly questions. Because that's what the whole sort of purpose of a mentoring program is. They're not there to, uh, judge you. It's not a teacher who's there testing you. They're there to guide you. And if you tell them, honestly, I don't know about this, I'm m really lost about this part of the industry or don't know where I'm going and I don't know what this means. They can tell you and help you in a sort of safe place, in a safe zone.

Speaker A: Yeah, definitely. I couldn't agree with you more on all of that. That's. Yeah, it's such really important advice normally. I was just wondering, could you tell us what your job is now at platform? What is your.

Speaker B: Yeah, so my role is actually consultant, uh, Platform comms, which essentially I'm sort of that middle ish level of PR and marketing at the company. And again, it's very much still working with those mainly media tech clients. Um, but what does that mean?

Speaker A: What does that actually mean? Like what practically do you do? Like yeah, I know you do press releases. So that's a bit of your.

Speaker B: Well, press release is one aspect. Yeah.

Speaker A: Give us a breakdown of what you do.

Speaker B: It's also wider media relations. So if you're reading those trade publications and writing some of the stuff that's in there, um, is one part of it, it's at these trade shows arranging briefings with media and analysts for clients. So you know they've got limited time at the show but part of that is to meet these people. So then all the post show wrap ups, they're included and where they're also staffing the conversations, making sure it's guided the right way and then also writing notes from it so we can draw out messaging for after the show and think about okay, what next? It's entering awards programs. Awards are a huge thing and when our clients are doing all this amazing cool stuff, we want to make sure they're getting the recognition for it. Uh, so it's thinking about okay, what's the story we can tell. Why is this thing so important? What difference is it making? M this is the award for that. It's, you know, it's when it's with IBC as a client, it's the wider sort of event stuff as well. So the press office at the show is where you'll often see me there and M it's handling that sort of wider relationship which is a big thing.

Speaker A: Right. If you're managing the press office at a trade show, that's huge.

Speaker B: Yeah, it's very huge. And it's actually really fun as well because it's where I've got to meet so many journeys face to face for the first time.

Speaker A: Yeah.

Speaker B: And sort of it's the one stop shop for like meeting people. So that's actually a really cool thing to get to do and I really enjoyed that part. It's, it's just like hard trying to remember like everything is a huge thing. So it's like not only we're managing these meetings but we need to make sure clients are uh, prepared for the meetings themselves. And also that's a huge time when press releases and all that stuff ramps up. So it's all hunts on deck, all activity but essentially anything that's sort of coming out from these companies in terms of like media and messaging we're sort of involved in and playing a hand in. So for me it's you know, a Lot of content writing, but it's also identifying audiences and thinking about like campaigns and it'd be social media as well, is now like a huge part of that. And thinking about LinkedIn and the whole sort of audience there and how you should convey the same message but differently for that different output. Uh, I mean, that's how me and you obviously got to knowing each other as platforms sort of supported the Media Talent Manifesto. And we started working first of the World Schools Cafe, which is at, uh, ibc. And obviously it's a whole incredible thing in itself, but it was writing the releases for that and making sure they go out to all the right people. So everyone's aware of it and it's getting the audience attend. Yeah, yeah, A lot of writing and then a lot of Wired is sort of like using the data from that and thinking about what works, what doesn't, what we can do in the future. Different. Pulling out all the sort of numbers from the campaigns.

Speaker A: Yeah, it's amazing. It's really amazing. And uh, what's really interesting is that you've learned all of that since university because as we said and explored, you did a history degree. So actually understanding the kind of media PR comm side of things you've learned on the job, essentially, what if anybody's listening to this and um, thinks, God, that sounds like a really amazing job, kind of being on that side of the media industry, what skill sets do you think they need to be thinking about? Kind of learning, exploring.

Speaker B: Don't worry too much about the media jargon in the sense of you will just learn it. The more you write about it, the more you sort of read pieces on it, it will start to make sense to you. I mean, obviously it's good watching webinars, reading more on things, but don't feel so overwhelmed, like, I'm never going to be able to write about that. I'm never going to sort of tell that story because I understand what it means. Yeah, very much. Will be able to learn those skills and will be able to generate the sort of content needed just by sort of jumping in and getting it as you go. Um, so, yeah, writing better. Your writing skills are always important. It doesn't necessarily, again, need to be about that topic itself. Although one exercise you could do is all like, again, reading these trade publications and thinking about what article you could write about that whether you're building your own LinkedIn profile, you could think about doing articles in your own LinkedIn, developing thought leader in yourself. And also LinkedIn posts are a huge part of What I do now. So if you're able to sort of show that in yourself already and build up your own social media profile using the LinkedIn articles, using the general posting, experimenting with different formats, that already is a great thing to have on your resume and show a really great understanding and skill set. And experimenting on there and building that up I think is, you know, it's a free way to do it because you're not having to pay for any external courses.

Speaker A: Yeah.

Speaker B: And it's a genuinely very useful thing as well. People are looking for that skill set. Ah yeah. So if you've got that. And also people are looking for people with a bit of a network as well or who are going to be happy to have a network and throw themselves into it. Like we've said, the media and entertainment world is very much sort of community driven. Everyone knows everyone. So if you're someone who throws yourself into that sort of mindset, uh, and is happy to meet new people and expand and be part of a community, then I think it speaks really well for companies wanting to hire you because they themselves are uh, probably like that as well. Especially on the sort of more marketing and PR side. It's a very big part of the role itself. And there's also a lot of other courses out there as well. I mean varying from free to paid depending on what you're sort of interested in. But there's the hub sort of ones which you can access for free, which have the most wider marketing side and things like learning about ICPS and that sort of more like GTM campaigns which are great to do if you're interested in that side. Especially if you was looking to apply for an in house sort of role. So definitely would encourage anyone who's, you know, maybe even a bit unsure about what sort of marketing or communications you want to do, um, grab it overall and maybe doing that course you'll realize I don't like this and then that's okay, you can look at explorers, you don't have to then stick with it. It's a great way to get that exposure.

Speaker A: Yeah.

Speaker B: So yeah, just picking up everything, trying everything.

Speaker A: Yeah, I think, yeah, I think that's really sound advice. I really do. Now you're, as we said, you're heading off to NAB tomorrow and you said to me just before we started recording that you've got a crazy schedule. What does that schedule look like for you? Is that on the trade floor, you going to booth to booth or what's your kind of. So just people get an idea of what it looks like when you are at uh, a show.

Speaker B: I mean 99% of it is on. Well actually I wouldn't even say 90% of it. A ah, lot of it is on the show floor and that's sort of packed morning to end of day on client booths. Running between client booths with all those sort of media and analyst meetings.

Speaker A: Yeah.

Speaker B: And taking notes during that time and generally, you know, supporting our clients in whatever way they need. And that's actually so much fun because you get to see their booths which they put so much work in and

Speaker A: you still a lot of time and effort goes into those booths. So they like. I think we don't really appreciate it unless you are actually involved in the design and the build and the structure and the technology.

Speaker B: You don't stand in awe and look at because they've clearly put so much for. And um, lots of fun stuff going on. Interactive elements. And you know, one of my clients is avid and on their booth that have editors actually talking about how they edited their movies. So the editor from you know, K Pop Demon Hunters is going to be there for example and they're going to be talking up on their booth. And you know, so many different ones have lots of cool elements. So actually getting to see all of that come together is a very fun part of it.

Speaker A: Mhm.

Speaker B: Yeah, I'll be there doing all the sort of media meetings and then after the show you also have the sort of, you know, happy hours on the show floor still. So if anyone who's not been to any of these trade shows, they'd love to, you know, bring out the beers, bring out the wine, bring out the soft drinks too for anyone who, you know, doesn't want to partake. But it's a great way to bring people to their booth. So it's the most of informal chatting and they might even have some music or some other elements going on. But you'll see all sorts of different crowds around different booths to know which ones are doing the happy hours.

Speaker A: Yeah.

Speaker B: And then after the happy hours there'll be loads of other networking events on. So again it's things like Rise will be doing networking drinks. There's companies like simply, there's all sorts of different companies that will do these bigger uh, sort of offshoot events after the trade show day ends. And it's organizing my client to figure out which ones I can go to. Yeah. Which ones can I go to one, then go to another and try and fit it all in. Because you really are trying to maximize your time there. And meet everyone and everyone. And even as well, I missed out on the. During the day, if you do get a gap, it's trying to see if you can go to any sessions because they always have such cool people on the agenda who talk about really interesting topics. But it's actually finding the time to sit down and go to them, which is the hard part. But definitely lots. Which if you're exploring going to a trade show and you're not sure what to do, check out the agenda because there's always loads of cool speaker sessions on. And when you still find new ground on the show floor, it's just a great place to go and have a set and take it in.

Speaker A: Yeah.

Speaker B: Then are acclimatized.

Speaker A: Yeah, yeah. Particularly those massive shows like NAB and ibc. They are just, they're huge, aren't they? As you say? And it does take a bit of. Yeah, okay.

Speaker B: Especially I think it's, you know, it can be very intimidating when you first start as well. Especially, you know, that is a whole new world to you when you're going. And you know, for me, my first one going and I was working at it as well, so obviously you need to lock in and be ready to go. But it's like, wow, it's huge. And then even doing the sort of show flop flow, show floor part itself is relatively easy. But then when you're so new and you don't know anyone, then the networking stuff afterwards and it can be very daunting, you know, if that's not something that you're used to and you don't know these people yet. Uh, and you're then at these booths and thinking, God, who do I speak to and what do I do? Um, that's a whole new sort of challenge in itself. But uh, again, like I've said so many times, everyone is genuinely friendly. So if you do speak to them, you will get a nice response back and they'll introduce people and it'll be okay.

Speaker A: Yeah.

Speaker B: But also like I said, the more you sort of do it, the easier it gets because then you'll see, someone will be like, oh, I remember you from this event and you have the catch up and it's okay. And I mean the great one about ones like IBC is they have these specialized areas as well. Like you know the beach at IBC where you can go and not know anyone and within 10 minutes you'll be within a crowd and speaking to people and feeling at ease.

Speaker A: Even if the beach is really good,

Speaker B: anyone, they'll very much open you in. And it's a very welcoming experience, but it is intimidating for us going in. But you've just got to sort of bite the bullet and go. And if you really hate it, if you're really feeling, oh, I need to step away, you can go back to your hotel, you can have a break, you can move away from the trade show van.

Speaker A: And some, and some people need to do that as well because it is just the noise and you're inside a lot of the time. And apart from the beach bar which is outside. But yeah, it can feel really overwhelming. And I think people, I think, uh, people have got a lot better about that. Recognizing.

Speaker B: Yeah.

Speaker A: That I don't actually have to be here the whole time. I can actually step away. I think people have got a bit more like, ah, the pressure to be there and maximize. But actually you can do it.

Speaker B: There's different ways to engage. You know, if you're someone who finds those sort of environments, you know, like they're not your style, that's not for you, you're not going to enjoy it. That's okay. You can think about arranging to meet people in smaller groups, doing like breakfast or lunch or, uh, there's sort of offshoots of events at different styles of ones where it's not all the big madness and the happy hours. Yeah, there's lots of different ones which may be more aligned to how you like to socialize and how you are going to best make those connections.

Speaker A: Yeah.

Speaker B: But finding the events and finding the people who most align with that sort of style as well. She can be doing things together.

Speaker A: Comes out. Something we said earlier about how you best work. Yeah, it's finding that, isn't it? Like, how am m. I gonna. What. How do, um, how do I best interact with people? What does that look like? Is that bar? Is that a breakfast? As you say? Like it's finding that and making the most of those situations.

Speaker B: And I also think trade shows as well, which we all spoke about before the call, how as a woman first going as well, it could really intimidate him with rest code. You know, it's so easy for a man to think, okay, shirt, trousers, you sort of can't go wrong with that. You can easily be in sort of any level of sort of casual formula and it be okay.

Speaker A: Yeah.

Speaker B: When you're first going as a woman and you're like, okay, well, it's obviously, you know, work, but you need to be a certain degree. But is this more of this style or that and thinking about all the different Options to take you from all these different parts of it as well, when a lot of it may be in their own head. Well, yeah.

Speaker A: Morning to evening, Molly. Morning to evening. What does that look like?

Speaker B: Like an early naughty magazine or something, isn't it? But it's a challenge that goes on in your head. You're thinking, what am I meant to be looking like? I don't want to be wearing the wrong thing. I think, again, some of that is in own head and we always don't say about ourselves, but I'm not looking at other people going, were you wearing that earlier or did you wear that like you're not actually thinking that about other people, but in your own head. That is very much a challenge going on and can feel very intimidating when you're going to these things. You're like, I don't want to stand out, I don't want to be completely off piece. But, uh, I always think the best advice is for your first one. I mean, one, if you can overpack a bit so you've got options.

Speaker A: Yes.

Speaker B: But on the very first day, go if you're sort of most formal and a bit over and then you can sort of scope it out and then if you think, okay, everyone's a bit more chill, go for the more casuals. Whereas if you think, actually, I feel more confident in this and everyone else is also sort of similar or formal, then you're sort of aligned with that as well.

Speaker A: Yeah.

Speaker B: Because, uh, again, it's down to individual. But I always feel better being a bit too over than a bit undressed. If I feel too casual and everyone else is much smarter, I think that makes me feel more self aware than if it's the opposite.

Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, I think total sense. That's really, that's really good advice, Molly. We're coming to the end of the podcast, but before we go, I've got to ask, why do you love this industry so much? What has kept you working in this space since you graduated?

Speaker B: I think it's two parts. One is genuinely how cool it is, like seeing all the sort of, you know, behind the scenes of actually when you watch TV and you watch movies and you watch these art forms, everything from, you know, the ads, the pause, the UX of the system, the post. Every part of it has been so thought out by so many brains and people and it's really exciting and cool and a lot of people are so dedicated to it as well. And there's so much that goes on. Even like, you know, this zoom call right now, the Sort of tech that goes on behind the scenes to make video happen and bring, um, it to fruition is. I mean, I don't actually understand how the tech itself works in the sense of I can explain it and I can write about it and I can talk about it. Uh, but if you put me in a room to be an engineer, I wouldn't have a clue. And those people are very incredibly smart who are doing that. And that's one thing. It's just genuinely cool and fun. And I do all that side, but I never is again. I've repeated this so many times throughout this call, but the community of it, I think once I went to my first year, I was hooked. I think it really sort of draws you in and it's, you know, madness and it's this and it's that. But actually, you speak to so many people who have been in it for life. They've been in it, you know, decades. And they wouldn't have it any other way because even though they've gone from company to company and role to role and changed around for what they do, they've stuck here because it is such a sort of, like, nice place to be. And even with, you know, like, we've spoken about diversity and all these different aspects which, you know, uh, different challenges within it that's also challenged in other industries. And we are also seeing lots of cool, like, you know, groups, like ones that you do doing stuff about it and talking about, like, the stuff that you do, the amount of industry volunteers that you get willingly trying to throw their energy in to be part of that just sort of, again, shows that community and shows how sort of willing people are to help each other out within this space.

Speaker A: Yeah. And it is special. It is a special thing. It really is like, that camaraderie that you get as a community working towards those projects and trying to change the industry for the better. Definitely. It's very unique and we're very lucky to have people like you, Molly, working on, um, those projects and other initiatives. Um, look, Molly, it's been a huge delight talking to you today. As always, thank you so much for your time. Thank you. Have the best time at nab. And I know when you get back, you'll be in full swing for IVC as well, because obviously that's one of your main clients. Good luck with everything over the coming weeks and months. And we'll be working together anyway.

Speaker B: But in the meantime, also for on air.

Speaker A: And also for on air. Yeah. But thank you so much for your time and I uh, will speak to you soon.

Speaker B: Thank you, Harry. Bye.