We spoke to Ollie, who is as Junior Account Executive in our Sport & Fitness team, about life at PHA and how he has found his first few months with the agency.
Q. Welcome to PHA, Ollie! Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
A. When I graduated with a degree in International Business, I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do career-wise. I loved languages at school, and I thought utilising those communication skills, coupled with my (unhealthy!) obsession with sport, would stand me in good stead within a Sports PR role. Having enjoyed a 3-month internship at a specialist sports and betting agency, I haven’t looked back since, and now in my first year at PHA, I feel fully immersed within the wonderful world of PR.
Q. What have you been working on during your first few months at PHA?
A. Despite everything that’s happened in the world, I’ve absolutely loved my first year at PHA. I’ve really enjoyed working on such an eclectic mix of clients, ranging from Chris Hemsworth’s personal Health & Fitness platform, Centr, to the Cristiano Ronaldo-endorsed Abs Belt, SIXPAD, to name a few. I’ve been lucky enough to form a great rapport with some clients this year and it’s those relationships you build that make you want to deliver for them, and more. Working with NHS recommended app, Thrive: Mental Wellbeing, has been a particular highlight. This year more than ever, it’s been emphasised that mental health is just as important as our physical health and it’s been incredibly rewarding to generate awareness around a platform that has seen a 211% increase in downloads over 12 months, which now supports over three million people globally with their mental wellbeing.
Q. Now that you know your team mates a little better, how would you describe them in three words?
A. Motivating, trusting, and adaptable.
Q. What are you most excited about achieving at PHA?
A. Since I joined, I’ve noticed that PHA are so good at supporting and encouraging each individual’s personal development, no matter what level you are. With all the training that PHA offer, plus the fast-paced environment that the PR industry already entails, I feel like I’m learning new things and gaining experience every day. PHA are often encouraging cross-departmental work and I’ve found it interesting to see how different teams operate. I’m picking up new tricks and ways of working from the different managers and I’m excited to pass nuggets of knowledge down the line in the not too distant future.
Q. Tell us one thing about yourself that might surprise us!
A. As a sports fanatic, I’ve been fortunate enough to go to some amazing spectacles over the years, from the Football World Cup in Brazil during my gap year, Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium, and the 2015 Rugby World Cup Final at Twickenham. But a period that really stands out was during my time studying abroad in Valencia. I was there to witness former England defender and highly established football pundit, Gary Neville, take the helm as manager of Valencia football club, and despite Gary having no prior managerial experience, or the ability to speak any Spanish, I assured my new Spanish friends that this would be a fantastic appointment and the great Valencian glory days would return. Unfortunately, things didn’t quite go to plan and having won just 3 out of 16 league games, including a 7-0 drubbing to Barcelona, Neville’s ill-fated reign sadly came to a very abrupt end, and left me… searching for some new mates.