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So you wanna be a public relations representative?
Katie Gray
International Public Relations Rep, M•A•C Cosmetics
Q. What’s your job title and where do you work?
A. I am an International public relations representative for M•A•C Cosmetics based in New York City.
Q. What does your job involve? Give us a run down of what you do in a typical day.
A. M•A•C Cosmetics is sold in over 64 countries globally. As I work in the International department, it is my job to support M•A•C public relations managers working in 12 countries throughout the Asia Pacific region.
The PR managers based in each of those countries are like my clients and it is my job to look after them and to support them in all of their PR needs. Being in the Asia Pacific region, they are 12-16 hours ahead of me in New York. I like to think of them as living in the future! Because of this, I get the majority of communication from them while I am at home asleep. Therefore, a typical day for me will start by catching up on all the emails I have received the night before. It is not uncommon to have over 100 emails waiting for me each morning!
We support all of our international markets by offering them the tools that they need to secure top media placements in their local fashion and beauty magazines and with their local TV/radio and online publications. As M•A•C does not advertise, media placement and public relations is an important tool for us.
On a “typical day” you would most likely find me chained to my desk responding to my many emails from our markets, strategising on new projects, attending meetings, editing press releases, reviewing press clips, planning media events, or following up on product requests from editors and journalists.
On a ‘less typical’, but definitely more glamorous day, you could find me hosting international beauty editors at M•A•C events, or working backstage at top designer fashion shows during New York Fashion week or attending a photo shoot with one of our world renowned senior artists.
I love my job as there is never a dull moment; it allows me to meet and work with incredible people on incredible projects.
Q. What’s the best thing about your job?
A. Definitely the best part of my job is getting to meet so many amazing and talented people from all around the world!! I am blessed to work for one of the best companies out there. Everyone I work with, from the genius makeup artists to the fearless sales team to the experts in product development, they all inspire me every single day! Not a lot of people can say that and it is the reason I have been with M•A•C for over seven years!
Q. Any downsides?
A. I have come to learn that nothing in life is perfect; there are downsides to everything. Without them, we probably wouldn’t be able to see all of the good sides! I try to always be positive and to learn what I can from every situation - good or bad.
Q. How did you get into your field of work?
A. I initially started out as a fashion publicist working for small fashion labels with rock star clientele and then later moved into the world of product licensing PR as a publicist for Playboy Enterprises in New York. There I set up a deal between Playboy and M•A•C Cosmetics where we collaborated on a limited edition beauty collection in honor of Playboy Magazine’s 50th Anniversary. Thanks to the people I met on that one project, I later landed myself a dream job at M•A•C - and I have been there ever since!
Q. Did you study/do you need to study?
A. I have always had a wide range of creative interests, which led me to study a lot of different subjects. I studied fine art and interior design before having an epiphany that I wanted to work in the fashion industry in New York City. After this realisation, I moved to New York City to attend one of North America’s leading fashion schools, the Fashion Institute of Technology. There I studied fashion merchandising and graduated with a degree in Advertising, Marketing and Communications.
Q. What qualities do you admire most in a person?
A. Honesty, sincerity and dignity.
Q. Can you pass on three tips for success to teenage girls?
A. I could write a book for teenage girls with all the lessons that I have learned over the years! Some key things I would tell them are:
Always, always, always follow your intuition - it will take you everywhere you want or need to be.
Never underestimate the power of networking. At any age.
Be kind to everyone. It does not cost anything to be nice to someone, and when you are genuinely nice to people, they genuinely want to be nice to you in return.
Don’t be afraid to specialise. Finding your niche, no matter how small or ridiculous you think it may seem, will bring you success and happiness in the long run.
Things always happen for a reason. Have faith and know that in any situation, good or bad, you will always learn something positive and you will learn it for a reason.
Check out other great careers articles
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Wow, i wonder if she gets free MAC products, that would be awesome! Posted by POWERBALLIN25 "on" 08/13 "at"12:22 AM |
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Love M.A.C Posted by Xxc0rtxX "on" 08/12 "at"02:58 PM |
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i agree! i’m actually interested in PR, anyone have any information on what to study in preparation? Posted by 15030 "on" 01/21 "at"01:28 AM |
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Wow this sounds like such a wicked job! What would I need to study to get into the same field? Posted by beautyjunkie "on" 01/15 "at"06:51 AM |
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