NameRichard Leonard
Job TitleFreelance PR, Corp Comms & Copywriting
Organization(freelance)
Member Since9 Jul 2012
Areas of ExpertiseContent Marketing and Strategy, Mobile, Online Copywriting, Social Media, Online PR
Contact Details
Email:

About Me

Experienced communications professional of 15 years, with a strong track record working at a senior level to launch, re-energise or reposition big, small and emerging brands in dynamic markets.

Proven track record in media relations, sponsorship, events, experiential and CSR; with a strong and broad media contacts book.Considerable experience handling external and internal communications around crises and change programmes. 

Experience across multiple sectors, but with particular specialism in consumer goods, automotive, consumer technology and retail. A strong communicator, experienced national media spokesman and natural copywriter well versed in writing for a variety of audiences. 

With real commercial acumen and an obsession with demonstrating ROI, I successfully marry a strategic ‘big picture’ approach, with a hands-on ‘can do’ attitude, and a creative yet pragmatic outlook in everything.

Career History

Head of PR at Three
From April 11, 2011 until June 30, 2012.

Headed up Consumer PR for Three (Hutchison 3G) on an interim basis, with a mission to engage a wider mainstream audience around the benefits of smart devices and the mobile internet. Successfully delivered a major integrated campaign targeting the key segment of new Mums, oversaw a proactive media outreach programme which consistently delivered highest SOV in the industry, made tariffs newsworthy beyond the tech pages and steered a team in considerable flux to over-deliver considerably. Handled product launches with several vendors including Apple (iPhone and iPad), HTC, Samsung and Huawei, once again securing more than our fair share of voice against competitors.

Career break at (road trip)
From October 1, 2010 until March 31, 2011.

Watching Strauss and Co. smash the Aussies in the Ashes, amongst other things.

Co-Founder & Co-Owner at Agency Brazil
From March 2, 2003 until September 27, 2011.

Full service PR consultancy working with many household names and soon-to-be household names. Focus on commercially-astute traditional and social media PR without the fluff and nonsense. Lead consultant on Honda (UK) Cars, Honda (UK) Power Equipment, 118 118, GfK NOP. Other clients included Swiftcover, PC World Business, Pinsent Masons and Doctors.net.uk. Claims to fame include high profile launch campaigns for 118 118 and BTopenworld. Holds a BA in PR from Leeds Business School at Leeds Metropolitan University. Twice runner-up (boo) in CIPR Young Communicator of the year. Regrettably too old to go for it again, too grey to even try and pass for 30.

Account Director at Le Fevre Communications
From September 14, 2001 until March 31, 2004.

Account Director for full service PR agency. Clients included BT, BTopenworld, Dixons Stores Group, Great Universal Stores (Innovations Catalogue).

Education and Qualifications

BA (Hons) Public Relations, Leeds Metropolitan University

Twice Runner-Up, CIPR National Outstanding Young Communicator'