You'll see an eclectic mix in my portfolio because I'm a consummate professional. I work on three simple and straightforward principles with clients: Consult - Engage - Deliver.
I've...Read moreYou'll see an eclectic mix in my portfolio because I'm a consummate professional. I work on three simple and straightforward principles with clients: Consult - Engage - Deliver.
I've worked for and led media companies and organisations in the south of the UK, London and the Home Counties as well as in my native Norfolk. My clients have ranged from mortgage bankers to the stars in Beverly Hills to NHS affiliates fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
Services cover PR activities, copy writing, SEO marketing, general marketing, website content, editing, press releases, media relations, proofreading, social media marketing, marketing strategy, article writing, script writing, script consultancy, photography, TV and film location finding, photographic services, market research and promotions.
I believe that making a good impression of a business or organisation is paramount. My experience in Marketing and PR has involved me in a variety of corporate identity scenarios - in identifying what speaks out about that business and constructs a visual image in the minds of customers or indeed readers about the kind of services offered. Not just that, it takes into account staff, the business or project mission and its vision for future activity and success. To put it concisely, it presents an aura of competence.
The skills and experience essential for all of the contract areas shown in the right hand panel - and more - are well within my scope, as indeed is team leadership acumen and a high profile track record in the media, communications, marketing and PR.
Today's New Media allows this to happen faster and further and although my origins were in the days of hot metal print, I have always kept abreast of the new technologies that provide for speedy yet informative packages – whether these involve enduring corporate initiatives or short to medium-term promos encouraging maximum response.
With a background in lifestyle journalism, I obviously understand also the importance of comprehensive but relevant, time-effective research. As Editorial Director of the Rococo Group in London, I worked closely with the production department in buying-in competitively-priced services, from printers, new technology providers and distribution facilitators.
My career began in newspapers, as a reporter and features writer, with the Eastern Daily Press in Norwich in the 1970s which led to further editorial and reporting roles in the local press in the South and London, including editorships and compiling major features and overseeing advertorials in business, industry and commerce throughout the 1980s, 90s and the new millennium.
Past management roles include Editorial Director of a central London-based international magazine publisher (Rococo Group), leading both a young and talented in-house team as well as commissioning freelance writers, photographers and designers. This involved also working closely with a high-flying advertising sales team in producing a diverse range of titles, subjects including global banking, the pop music industry, horse-racing, food retailing, the Duty Free market, Sandhurst RMA and the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
Public relations experience came with an executive management position with a national trade association - the Bus & Coach Council in London - in the mid-1980s during bus deregulation in the UK. This was followed by a period of freelance writing and PR assignments for a mixed bag of clients including the Ministry of Transport, the Haemophilia Society, food wholesalers Sinclair & Collis, brewery giants Guinness and Courage, various national youth groups and organisations, the Prison Officers’ Association, the former Radio Luxembourg, an Iranian private art dealer and the Women’s Cricketers Association.
Homespun values in marketing, PR and writing services were Graham's touchstone in setting up GMM at the end of 2011, but with an intended global reach to new, potential clients. The company disbanded in late 2013.
Over 35 years with a sharp leadership acumen, growing sagacity and a high profile track record in the media, communications, marketing and PR business. My career began on a provincial newspaper in the UK, as a news reporter and features writer. He went on to further reporting and editorial roles with local press in the south of England and London, which included various editorships, writing and co-ordinating major features and overseeing advertorials dealing with business, industry and commerce during the 1980s, 90s and the new millennium.
My past management roles include Editorial Director of a central London-based international magazine publisher, leading both a young and talented in-house team as well as commissioning freelance writers, photographers and designers. This involved also working closely with a high-flying advertising sales team in producing a diverse range of titles, subjects including global banking, the pop music industry, horse-racing, food retailing, the Duty Free market, Sandhurst RMA and the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Public relations experience came with an executive management position with a national trade association - the Bus & Coach Council in London - in the mid-1980s during bus deregulation in the UK. This was followed by a period of freelance writing and PR assignments for a mixed bag of clients.
I've interviewed two former Prime Ministers - Callaghan and Thatcher - various other high profile politicians and chiefs of industry, met various members of the Royal Family, numerous pop stars and celebrities from film, stage, television and sport as well as a host of other characters, from all walks of life. My motto: 'carpe diem'
I can provide a 24/7 freelance contact facility nationally and worldwide in supply by client requirement to newspapers, magazines and online services for input on all manner of matters/subject material. Online editing, sub-editing and copy writing. Very versatile on subject matter. PR, Marketing and Promotions: available to fill professional contract, short term employ and temp positions, in-house or out, within 100 mile radius of the Norwich base - packages tailored to fit all requirements. Free quotations. Specialist in lifestyle, consumer and human stories. Photographic imput by arrangement.
Area Covered:
Geographically, anywhere on the planet
Work Experience Summary:
As my CV details, a journalist and publicity professional whose career has spanned almost years in newspapers, magazines, public relations and marketing.
Personal Profile:
An articulate, diligent and hard-working professional with over 30 years experience in the media, particularly with newspapers and magazines. I have a nose for what makes a good story and this has been combined with hard-edged commercial experience, in taking ideas for new publications from concept to print.
Personal Qualities:
I work equally well in both a team situation or as an independent. Strong inter-personal skills, confident and intelligent conversationalist, a relaxing interviewer, excellent communicator both face to face and on the telephone, savvy in Word and other WP medium, WWW familiar, a working knowledge of both design and production processes and a perennial sense of humour. I never turn dramas into crises but respond efficiently to resolve problems.
Professional Experience:
In September 2009 I became self-employed and in 2011 set up and was a director of Norwich agency Golden Mustard Media (Anglia UK) Ltd. Unforeseen problems caused the company to fold in late 2013 and I've been an independent since.
I'm capable of providing a wide and flexible range of editorial, media, customer care, publicity, client campaign and promotional services. Packages tailored to the specific needs and requirements of clients and potential customers.
Early career roles:
Hospitality Group, Pall Mall, London; PR and Marketing Executive, 1992-96
Rococo Group, Islington, London; Editorial Director, 1989-92
Chelsea, London; freelance writer and PR consultant, 1986-89
Bus & Coach Council (Lincolns Inn Fields, London); PR Executive and BCC monthly magazine editor, 1984-86
Surrey-based (Guildford); freelance writer and PR consultant, 1982-84
Southern Newspapers, Basingstoke and Winchester; Industrial and Commercial Editor, 1979-82
Eastern Counties Newspapers, Norwich; news and features reporter, 1974-79
Professional Qualifications:
* UK National Council for the Training of Journalists Proficiency Certificate in Journalism (degree equivalent) 1974/5.
* Member of the NUJ central London freelance branch for many years, so too the CIPR and the CIM.
* NCTJ 100 wpm Pitman shorthand.
Created Publications:
Against All Odds (50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain)
Serve to Lead - Sandhurst (250 years of officer cadet training in the British Army, Global Banking, Turf International (thoroughbred racing, breeding and training),International Duty Free Review,
100 Years on Record (a history of recorded music, European Food Retailer, International Training Technology and European Stock Exchanges (with the Rococo Group, London. Others: The Fenlander newspaper (local to The Fens)- Cambs; Soundcheck! (Contemporary music)-Soho, London.
Previous Achievements:
Interviewed two former Prime Ministers, James Callaghan and Margaret Thatcher, various other high profile politicians and business types, met various members of the Royal Family, numerous pop stars and celebrities from film, stage, television and sport as well as other walks of life. Travel experience confined to Europe and North Africa and I speak some Italian, German, Spanish and French, as well as a few words in Norwegian.
Hobbies and Interests:
I'm a keen gardener and horticulturalist and have worked closely with the Royal Horticultural Society press people in the past and for many years have been a regular attendee at Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows, digital photography, travel, film and stage entertainment, food and wine, classical music. I also enjoy spending quality time with friends.
A native of Norfolk, I was born in King's Lynn. I possess a full driver licence but I do enjoy walking and some cycling, particularly in the countryside. I'm hoping to improve my foreign language skills further and possibly doing volunteer stage and drama work with a local am drams group in the near future. Overall, I do like to keep an active interest in what's going on around me.
Further Education:
University of Essex - BA Media History and Communications.
Harlow Technical College: Department of Journalism Studies, Essex - National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) ; Certificate of Proficiency (since 1974); 100 wpm Pitman shorthand; MIBM; NIPRW; NUJ Freelance member; RHS qualifications; literate in all aspects of Microsoft applications.
General Education:
College of West Anglia, King's Lynn, Norfolk - 4 GCE A Levels (Cambridge Uni Board);
Gaywood Park High School, King's Lynn, Norfolk - 8 O Levels (Oxford Uni Board).