As a millenial, who saw the launch of the iPhone and the rise of online media, it would be natural to present myself in references from a TV show of the time – Friends.
The one with the origin story
Growing up in the suburbs of Dublin, I enjoyed books, theatre, music and performing. News and media were always something that captured my attention, and I thought about how I could work at the forefront of this. I loved language and how it can be used to influence and shape society and its thinking. As such, a career in corporate communications felt like a natural place to feel involved in what was going on in the world.
Studying Business and Politics at Trinity College Dublin, I was interested in how various stakeholders across society influenced government decision on business and trade. Graduating, I had a desire to understand how business, politics and law intersect. After I graduated, I studied European Law at The University of Edinburgh.
The one with haggis and kilts!
On arrival in the Scottish capital, the colossal tomes focused on European integration and legislation were nothing for a book worm like me. However, my skills of how to fend for oneself left much to be desired – queue lots of fire alarms being set off by overcooked oven pizzas!
After a stint as the Dublin Rose of Tralee (Irish readers will understand) coupled with an episode of backpacking, I moved back to life in Edinburgh full time. Working at Stripe Communications I learned the true skills of corporate communications. Under the mentorship of the stellar Juliet Simpson, I quickly learned to navigate the ebbs and flows of Scottish and UK national media. Stripe was only getting started in corporate communications at the time, so I got to experience firsthand how a new division / practice area gets established. Representing clients across aquaculture (The Scottish Salmon Company, now Bakkfrost), food & drink (C&C Group) and property (Buccleuch Property, Shawfair LLP & EDI Group).
It was here that I learned about crisis and issues management, as well as how to proactively drive media coverage through creative campaigns and executive profiling.
The one with the move to London
I had always loved London and soon the bright lights called me south.
Working first at Weber Shandwick on ExxonMobil’s EMEA Fuels & Lubricants account, I got to learn quickly how the energy sector worked and operated. Not long after starting, I got a call to work on the Emirates Airline’s account at Red Consultancy. This opportunity saw me work on Jo Monery’s corporate team, and it was then that things really took off (pardon the pun).
Crisis & issues, reputation and stakeholder management were a large part of the role. We worked for industry leading clients across property (Crest Nicholson), logistics (Yodel), travel & transport (Emirates Airlines) and management consultancy (Capgemini). There was never a quiet moment, and I loved the fast pace of life next door to the bustling Piccadilly Circus. Naturally, the thrill of working with top tier media including BBC, FT, The Economist daily was fun for a news junkie like me.
I fully enjoyed London life. Living in Clapham with endless sunny Sunday afternoons spent with friends in the Common seem a distant memory these days. Spoiler Alert: I have three kids now!
The one with the big ‘pivot’
Two weeks after getting married in 2018 my husband said ‘hey fancy moving to Norway for two years’. As someone who loved adventure / travel, I said yes. Arriving in Stavanger in November, I did notice it was a little different than central London…
Setting up the aptly named ‘Gannon Communications’ or ‘GanCom’ as we liked to call it, this time of my life had me figure a whole new raft of business skills like submitting my first Norwegian corporate tax return. All the time learning about the many different dialects of the Norwegian language and an understanding of how to sell my expertise in a completely different market. I quickly noticed that this new way of life was also mirrored in the different media landscape and types of coverage in Norway. However, adapting to new challenges and situations is always something that I have taken in my stride.
It was then GanCom started working with Laura’s Project Neon, offering communications to the existing marketing clients. From this a great friendship was formed. The mix of skills instantly felt right and saw results. It was decided to officially bring communications under the umbrella of Project Neon. Now as a full-service agency across marketing and communications, it was exciting to establish this side of the business and help to grow Project Neon with Laura into what it is today
Stavanger is a small city, but it punches above its weight in terms of influence and innovation. As a global energy hub, the talent and expertise of those who live here is second to none. It brings a smile to me to think I have brought a little slice of London agency life to this beautiful part of the world.
Our goal as a business is always to unlock this talent and help get that story out there to the relevant markets – no matter where in the world they are located.
The last one….
So, while this is the end of the Friends comparisons, it is certainly not the end of the road. Life has changed substantially from the beginning of the story. In 2020 we welcomed our first son and in 2023 we said ‘hei hei’ to number 2 and 3. Yup, TWINS, ok that might be another friend’s reference.
Most weekends I can be found enjoying the various lekeplasser that Stavanger has to offer, while chasing a trio of little boys around. Not quite the chilled out sunny Sundays in Clapham Common, but it sure is great!
