What do you enjoy the most about working at Spreckley?
First, the people. Even working from a different country, I still appreciate a sense of connection with the team and working with everyone across my accounts.
The variety of clients we work with is also a huge plus. It means getting to work with all types of personalities, from the pragmatic to the more high-energy, with some great stories to tell. It keeps things exciting and has been great for my own development.
And of course, the flexibility of remote working has been a great benefit.
How did you hear about Spreckley, and why did you want to join?
I was introduced by Angela at May & Stephens. At the time, I was in the final stages of interviewing for another role, but Spreckley felt so much more suited.
I remember the interview process being quite thorough – they seemed a bit sceptical about my high energy at first, and it took a few rounds to check I wasn’t lying. After being put through the ringer like that, I almost felt obligated to join.
What’s been the most exciting PR campaign you’ve worked on and why?
Without a doubt, it was working on the PR campaign for Deliver. I had the opportunity to travel to Amsterdam to help organise the event, including hosting journalists and generating press. Journalists can sometimes need their hand held, especially when flying over to a different country, so the work itself was very much manic from the get-go.
It was a great team effort – I was able to work closely with Sean and Anum, who taught me more of the tricks of the trade on the ground. The feeling of flying home knowing it was a success was rewarding and satisfying in itself, and it helped build some great media relationships that have lasted long after the campaign ended.
What was your first job?
If we ignore the years or so of underage bartending I did from the age of 13, my first official job was in marketing at Bord na Móna. It was an in-house role, so I got to work with every department. No two days were the same – some were brilliant, some definitely more challenging.
I would say that of those two, the cocktail-making skills have been more useful.
If you weren’t in PR, what would you be doing instead?
I would probably go into adventure tourism, travelling the world with a collection of ten passports. I grew up in County Kerry, which is all mountains, lakes and a great coastline. That environment really gives you a massive appetite for exploring the outdoors, so getting paid to go surfing, hiking, rock climbing…that would be an absolute dream.
Tell us one thing about you that surprises people?
I think one thing that might surprise my work colleagues is that, outside of PR, I’m actually usually one of the quieter ones in the room. Likewise, my family would probably be shocked to see how I come across to clients and the team. My social battery has its limits.
Another surprising fact is that I spend most of my week with my nails and makeup done. My niece is an aspiring nail tech and beautician, and I’m just her go-to guinea pig. I get messages like, “Uncle Martin, when can I test this on you?” so I routinely get thrown in at the deep end!
What’s your favourite thing to do outside of work?
As mentioned before, anything and everything outdoors. If you call me on a weekend, there’s a good chance I’m either up a mountain or somewhere in the Atlantic trying not to die. I love to travel and get outside as much as I can.
Who had the most influence on you growing up?
That would have to be my mum. I lost my dad when I was very young, and she definitely stepped up to take the role of both parents. With me and my siblings, she still managed to put us all first, and in turn, I still look to her for advice – and even permission – because she’s never steered me wrong so far. If there’s anything worth losing my ‘PR bad boy’ persona for, it’s my mum.
It’s funny, as explaining basic tech to her has basically trained me for PR in a way. It’s certainly kept me up to date on all the latest cyberattacks and phishing scams going around, although both my mum and I have been caught out more times than I’d like to admit.
What’s your go-to lunch on Leather Lane?
I love the Ethiopian food stall. My brothers and I are very competitive about being able to handle the spiciest food, and although I usually lose that battle, the food there is great.
But, like everyone at Spreckley, I’m not above a cheeky Greggs – you just have to, don’t you?
What’s something you want to do in the next year that you’ve never done before?
I’ve recently gotten massively into golf, investing far more money in it than any amateur ever should. My next goal in the course is to finish a round without losing fifty balls to ponds or throwing my clubs out after a bad round. My friends and I get quite competitive about it, so being able to talk about it after without embarrassment or jealousy would also be great.
Channelling my PR energy into a stand-up comedy open mic night has also been on my mind – I mean, I think I’m funny, so surely everyone else will right…right?
Favourite quote
“If the Lasso way is wrong, it’s hard to imagine being right.” – Trent Crimm, The Independent