I’m Jo, PR Account Director at Spring PR, where I have the privilege of working alongside an epic team, with some of the most innovative and sustainable brands in the outdoor industry.
My journey in PR began back in the early '90s (yikes!). While browsing through university prospectuses with my lovely mum, she found the perfect course for me: a BA Hons in Public Relations at the University of Central Lancashire. The course required 'excellent verbal communication,' a skill my school reports often noted, albeit as being quite chatty. My mum was right, of course, and I graduated with a 2:1.
In my final year, one of Manchester’s leading PR agencies approached me, and I was fortunate to be mentored by one of the best directors in the business. During my first month I was thrown into the deep end, helping to organise a major national event. This sink-or-swim experience quickly taught me that university had not prepared me for the real world of PR. During that first year, I honed my skills on major houseware brands, developed a thick skin for pitching stories to national outlets, and was recognised for my tenacity—like a dog with a bone. There was also a lot of press coverage cutting and sticking and franking post!
After a year of invaluable experience, I moved from up North to the picturesque city of Bath. Here, I climbed the ranks, gaining diverse experience with brands ranging from recruitment agencies to consumer kitchen goods, and even diesel engines! With the Cotswold lakes nearby, I immersed myself in new watersport activities, completed a triathlon, and learned to eskimo roll in a kayak.
The birth of my daughter led me to freelance and in 2009 Stephanie welcomed me into the Spring PR fold, where I’ve been ever since. Enough said. Working in the outdoor industry is a breath of fresh air. The super friendly journalists and clients make every day unique and exciting. Our small, friendly team at Spring PR collaborates closely, leveraging each other's strengths to achieve great results.
Outside of work, you’ll likely find me walking up a hill with my partner Andy and our two dogs, Teddy and Kimble. On weekends, we love to pile into our van and head to the coast for some surfing adventures—though I mostly just make a splash!