What has your journey into Edelman looked like and how did you get into the communications industry?
I began my career fresh out of Uni at Sky News, where I was lucky enough to spend the first year or so freelancing in the Sky Sports News production team and the Sky News Interviews team, while studying for a post-grad and doing some travelling in between. I then took up a full time role at Sky News, spending a couple of years as an Interview Producer where I worked across every show within their breakfast, daytime and evening output, before spending my last year there working across Sky’s flagship podcast shows and looking after bookings for all of the journalists who appeared on the paper review shows – where one of them, The Press Preview, had the highest viewing figures across the whole of the news channel at the time.
I made the switch into a more digital role during my last year at Sky because I felt, as a young person in news, that the industry was changing. I didn’t know where my career would be, or where I even wanted it to be, five to ten years down the line. I was always interested in the corporate communications world as a career path - where my contacts book and skillset would be transferable and valuable - so I decided to explore opportunities. I am grateful for my experience at Sky, but there was a huge appeal to join the world’s leading communications firm, using my media background as an initial avenue to help evolve, promote and protect the reputations of some of the biggest companies in the world.
Admittedly leaving journalism earlier in my career than most, I accepted that I had a lot to learn when I joined, and I’m grateful to Edelman for taking a leap of faith in me.
What achievement are you most proud of?
I had a bit of a crazy week about this time last year when I was still fairly new to the business. I started the week off in a high-pressured new business pitch with senior colleagues who’d flown in from across the world to be in the room, to later that week hosting a Q&A staircase session with Sky News Presenter Dermot Murnaghan, which was livestreamed on the all-employee UK & Ireland workplace channel. It was a week full of adrenaline, but I’m really proud that I pushed myself to do it.
What do you find most rewarding about the job?
I love how fast paced this industry is – and I’m quite results driven, so it’s really rewarding to be able to do both ‘quick fixes’ for clients working under pressure, at high speed, while also balancing longer term strategy. Each client, and each project, can be totally different. With that, there are always new ways to adapt approaches, thinking and counsel, which is incredibly rewarding.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced throughout your time at Edelman?
I had to upskill quite quickly when I started, which was challenging but very rewarding. There are so many incredible divisions, brains and specialisms in the business that it took me a while – about a year or so – to fully get to grips with this, and what team to go to with what ask – whether it be DxI, Editorial, Creative, or even Corporate’s own specialist divisions like Issues & Crisis. Having a bit of a career change and navigating all of this, as well as getting on top of client industries to provide solid counsel, was no mean feat. I sometimes find it hard to comprehend how much I’ve learnt, but I’m so glad I made the switch.
How do you stay motivated?
I am surrounded by some of the best people in the business. Coupled with this, I know the phrase no day is the same can sound cliché, but it couldn’t be more true here. Constantly learning from the best, and working across a broad range of work, keeps me motivated.
If you could offer one piece advice to someone considering a role at Edelman Corporate, what would it be?
Do it do it do it. You will learn more than you thought you ever could in such a short amount of time. My parents always said to me growing up to first and foremost do a job you enjoy, but also join the best company you can in your chosen industry and surround yourself with the best and brightest people you possibly can, and success will follow. That couldn’t be more true of this place.
What do you do outside work to relax?
Sounds simple, but get me in a hot bubble bath and I’m sorted from whatever worries and stresses I’ve had from the day. I’m also usually found watching cooking reels, which is how I spend a lot of my time outside of work – cooking, entertaining, and eating out with friends and family. You’ll also find me in the crowds at Stamford Bridge as a die-hard Chelsea fan – though that’s not so relaxing at the moment!
Tatiana Alderson is an Account Manager on the Edelman Corporate team.
