Meet the people who truly make Whistle the agency that we’re proud to be. First up, Whistle’s Director Claire Gething.
The reason I got into PR is…
A happy accident really! I studied Business at university and wanted to work in a marketing-based role after graduation. I think there was only one lecture on PR the whole time I was there so it wasn’t really on my radar. I did some volunteering with the National Trust after my final exams to build up my CV, and while there, I spotted an advert for a graduate trainee role in the local paper. They were looking for someone who would enjoy writing, organising events and speaking to journalists. I’d done some of this while volunteering so I knew it was right up my street – so I went for it, got the job and haven’t looked back.
My biggest career achievement to date is…
I’ve been very lucky to have lots of amazing opportunities during my career. Becoming a board director at Whistle was clearly a highlight – and there have been some cracking client campaigns.
However, my proudest moment has probably been launching a coaching and mentoring programme at Whistle. We now provide individuals with up to 12 hours of personal and professional coaching each year, and so far, feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. To lead something that is having such an unquestionable impact on both individuals and the wider business is a real privilege – and I love doing it.
I love working at Whistle because…
I love agency life. But agency life at Whistle is very different to any other agency environment I’ve experienced. And I think that comes down to our company culture. I’m biased I know – but I believe Whistle is a little bit special in that respect. It’s one of the reasons why I wouldn’t want to work for any other agency.
When I’m not at Whistle I…
I like to write – which sounds trite as PRs spend so much of their time writing. But I really do enjoy it. I write children’s fiction and I find it helps me switch off. It has a mindfulness effect. I self-published my first novel at the end of last year – The Keeper of the Souls – so I’m now working up plans for the next.
One killer campaign I wish I’d come up with is…
Ah so many! For its simplicity, the Carlsberg ‘probably the best’ campaign always makes me smile. And I love how KFC taught us all how to keep a sense of humour in a crisis with its FCK response to the nationwide shortfall of chicken in 2018. But my all-time favourite campaign is still the 2012 London Olympics. Beautifully executed and uniting the country, it was a campaign of epic proportions. And eight years on, montage footage of Super Saturday still brings a tear to my eye!
If I wasn’t a PR I’d be a…
I’d be a wildlife photographer. I’ve always loved wildlife – especially African wildlife. I spent three months working on a South African game reserve when I was in my twenties and there were so many amazing encounters with wildlife I just wanted to bottle and share. So if I have my time again, perhaps you’ll find me behind the lens somewhere deep in the Okavango Delta …
Claire Gething is a Director at Whistle PR which offers a range of integrated communications services including strategic consultancy, PR, social media and internal communications. For further information email info@whistlepr.co.uk or contact us here.
