Brian O'Sullivan
Partner


What do you do for SE10?
I'm a partner at the agency, which means I do everything from negotiating new retainer agreements and recruiting talented new staff, down to making tea and watering the plants. But most of my time is still spent writing — press releases, articles, whatever — and dealing with the international press.

What is your philosophy about work?
I did an MBA at a posh business school and waited to be told the secret of business success. It turns out that there is no secret. While a good product or service is important — being honest, agreeable, hard working and reliable are just as crucial.

What are some of your previous jobs?
I was previously the rather grandly titled editor-in-chief of an international business magazine, and before that I had a series of editorial jobs, culminating in being the editor of two UK national trade titles. Originally I trained as a surveyor, but have tried my hand at everything from fork lift truck driver, painter, thoroughbred horse exerciser and tyre and exhaust fitter.

When did you join the agency?
I was SE10's employee number 3, arriving in January 2004 fresh faced from reading for an MBA at Ashridge Business School.

Where is the most interesting place you've traveled?
I once visited Angola shortly after the end of the civil war and had to write a story on a diamond mine 1,000km from the capital Luanda. The only way to get there was aboard an old 707 airliner that was filled with tanks carrying diesel that leaked onto a drip tray. They then landed it on a dirt strip. The diamond mine was amazing — 100 years ago the local people used to decorate the roofs of their mud huts with diamonds they found in the river! (Making them the most valuable houses in the world!)

What is your favorite book?
Captain Scott by Sir Ranulph Fiennes. The story of Scott's epic — and ultimately failed — Antarctic expedition to the South Pole is a gripping tale of human endurance, friendship and loyalty.

How do you get to work?
Along with the millions of other London commuters, I cram myself silently into 'the tube' most days (nobody ever talks on the Tube). But on sunny days in the summer (we don't get many of those in England) I sometimes take my life in my hands and ride to work on a 1960s Triumph Bonneville motorbike.

What sports do you like to watch or participate in?
I'm very fickle when it comes to sport. During The World Cup I am the biggest fan of football — and then immediate forget about the game; during Wimbledon I'm the most knowledgeable fan of tennis, and then abandon it when the last ball has bounced.. etc etc. My only consistent loves are Formula 1, Moto GP — and the Tour de France cycling.


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Ben Shaw
Partner


What do you do for SE10?
As one of the partners I like to maintain an interest in all that is happening at SE10, and I also work on the Manitowoc account, coordinating PR activities and editing their customer magazine.

What is your philosophy about work?
If you do what your clients ask and meet all your deadlines, you are a long way towards achieving success in the public relations business. As easy as it sounds, it is incredible how many companies get it wrong.

What is something that you may not know about me?
I am colour blind and cannot see purple (it appears blue to me).

What are some of your previous jobs?
I was the Editor of a construction magazine before joining SE10. I have also worked as an English teacher in Japan and at the Center for English Teaching at Sydney University.

When did you join the agency?
I am one of the founding partners. We established the agency in 2002.

Where is the most interesting place you've traveled?
My two favourite countries are Guatemala and Japan, both of which I visited for the first time in 1994.

What is your favorite book?
I really enjoyed Joseph Heller's Catch-22. The author makes quite brilliant and serious observations on everything from business to bureaucracy (not to mention war) with great humour.

What are you listening to right now?
Whenever I can, I listen to BBC Radio 4. My taste in music has changed very little in the past 15 years, so I still find myself listening to all the same stuff I did between 1985 and 1995.

Where do you live? Where are you from originally?
I live in Clapham, southwest London, but I'm originally from Winchester in Hampshire.

What's it like to drive on the other side of the road?
It depends where it is. It's easier on the wide-open American freeways than it is in Paris or Milan. I have one rule for driving on the other side of the road, and that's always remember that as the driver you must be sitting in the vehicle's seat that's closest to the centre of the road. If you're seated towards the outside of the road, you will shortly be seeing flashing headlights.

What is your most notable professional award or success?
Errrrr.

How do you get to work?
I use public transport, either the Tube, train or bus. I vary my journey depending on the season. I like to travel by bus in the summer and Tube in the winter. Either way, it's an hour door-to-door.

If you could have a drink with anyone, who would it be?
Probably Brian O'Sullivan. He usually pays.

Outside of work, I enjoy...
I love to read books and watch movies, although sadly my time for both diminishes as years go by. I also like to keep fit and play the odd game of football, squash or golf when I can. And I am a fan of Southampton Football Club, although few "enjoy" following the Saints. It's something of a burden.

What's the better regional manager: Ricky Gervais or Steve Carell
I've only seen Steve Carell in action a couple of times, so I'll have to plump for the original - Ricky Gervais.

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Leslie Shalabi
Partner, vice president, US operations


What do you do for SE10?
I am a partner in the firm and responsible for running and managing SE10's Madison, Wisconsin office. I often work directly with clients to help with public relations strategy, as well as write press releases, articles and answer press inquiries for our clients.

What is your philosophy about work?
Plan ahead. Work hard. Have fun. Be authentic.

What is something that you may not know about me?
I'm the lead singer in a soul/reggae band in Madison, Wisconsin.

What was your most unusual job?
Prior to joining SE10, my professional career was in trade publishing. Most recently, I was the publisher of a magazine covering the design and development of construction, mining and agricultural equipment. I have also written for magazines that covered printed circuit board assembly and thin film deposition.

But I would say that my most unusual job was working in the office of a welding shop/car salvage yard during high school. Often times I would be called out into the shop to help with special projects such as sticking my arm in a repaired gas tank to collect the welding slag inside. My arm was the only one skinny enough to fit through the hole! I was also sent on a few special errands for "blinker fluid" and "muffler jacks". Yes, I did actually fall for that one. But I learned fast. When I was asked to order petcocks for some radiators that were being repaired, I told them "No way!" I wasn't falling for that joke again. Turns out, there are actually petcocks on radiators.

When did you join the agency?
I joined SE10 in May 2006.

What music are you listening to right now?
Cover songs that my band and I are working on: I'll Take you There, The Staple Singers; Clean Up Woman, Betty Wright; Waiting in Vain, Bob Marley; Mr. Big Stuff, Jean Knight; Ain't No Sunshine, Bill Withers; The Harder They Come, Jimmy Cliff...

How do you get to work?
When we aren't covered in snow or freezing to death here in Madison, Wisconsin, I ride my bike to work.

What is your education?
I have a double Bachelor's degree in journalism and anthropology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Outside of work, I enjoy...
Riding my bicycle. I started long distance touring a few summers ago and have participated in two, week-long tours where I rode nearly 500 miles in a week.

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Bruce Bradley
Account Director


What do you do for SE10?
Account Director with principal responsibility for the Metso account.

What are some of your previous jobs?
Magazine editor; book editor; film encyclopedia contributor; television and radio copywriter; playwright; book, film and theatre reviewer; medical journal writer; legal editor/proofreader; voice-over and on-camera talent; professional actor; drama teacher.

When did you join the agency?
September 2007.

What is something that you may not know about me?
I always wanted to be an archaeologist.

What are some of your favorite things?
Composing music, writing plays, drinking fine wine and sampling exotic food.

What is your favorite book?
Geek Love by Katherine Dunn.

Where are you from originally?
Newport, South Wales.

If you could have a drink with anyone, who would it be?
Someone who could afford to buy me a bottle of 1957 Nuits-Saint-Georges pinot noir and not mind that I wouldn't share it.

What is your education?
English public school, but mostly autodidactic.

What's the better regional manager: Ricky Gervais or Steve Carell?
Ricky Gervais.

What sports do you like watching or participating in?
Rugby Union.

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Clare Gittins
Account Executive


What do you do for SE10?
I am an Account Executive so I write news stories, features, and articles for my clients' company magazines and for the press. On a day-to-day basis I liaise with clients and interview people from across the globe. It's a challenging and varied role.

When did you join the agency?
I joined the company in February 2010 after completing an MA and NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists) qualification in Journalism at Kingston University. Alongside my MA, I wrote for the Travel section of Time Out magazine in London and I contributed to several local newspapers. I was also Deputy News Editor of an online news website that we created as part of my MA. After graduation I wrote for Closer magazine for its online website.

Where is the most interesting place you've traveled?
This is a difficult question because I've travelled to so many places. I took a gap year in 2006, after my first degree in History at Birmingham University, and I travelled around the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Singapore. I have also inter-railed around Eastern Europe and backpacked across Italy and Sicily. But I would say that my most recent trip to India in 2009 was the most interesting place I ever travelled to. It is probably the only country where you can eat food in a restaurant alongside a cow and see a camel on the motorway. I loved the food and the people and I miss masala chai (Indian tea).

Where are you from originally?
I was born in Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire but I grew up in Reading in a farmhouse, also home to pigs, bulls, chickens, geese, sheep and now potentially a bee hive! Reading may not be the prettiest of towns, but the Berkshire countryside is lovely.

What's it like to drive on the other side of the road?
Scary! My friend and I hired a car and attempted to drive from LA to San Francisco, along California's Route 1. Unfortunately, five minutes from the car hire place in LA, and in four lanes of traffic, we got a flat tire, almost crashed, and my friend had a nervous break-down! We had to phone break-down recovery and it took two hours to repair the car (and my friend's nerves) and return it five minutes back down the road! Needless to say we got the bus. But, we did hire another car in Santa Barbara - unfortunately not a convertible, but a beige family saloon - because the roads there were a little less scary.

What is your most notable professional award or success?
My NCTJ qualification. It was tough; I had to complete exams in shorthand, media law, government and news writing. The shorthand was the hardest part, but I mastered it in the end.

Outside of work, I enjoy...
Going to music festivals and events. I went to Ibiza and Glastonbury festival last year and I have been to Benicassim, Standon, Reading and V festivals. This year I am planning to go to Exit festival in Serbia and Bestival on the Isle of Wight. In my spare time I enjoy meeting up with friends; I have some very close friends who I enjoy coffees and chats with and an amazing group of university friends, whose reunions are always legendary.

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Colleen McGroarty
Research Analyst


What do you do for SE10?
I'm the research analyst for the company, which involves many days spent on Excel. I compile regular reports for various clients, ranging from widespread quarterly media monitoring to smaller monthly data updates.

What is your philosophy about work?
A pleasant attitude goes further than you know.

What are some of your favorite things?
Cooking experiments! I'm hooked on excessive modifying, which more often than not produce wonderfully awful results. I also enjoy my overweight dog.

What are some of your previous jobs?
In high school I worked at an aquarium shop. I quickly moved up the ranks from catching fish to returning salty spare tubing bits. You haven't lived until you've bagged a Pomacentridae, I always say.

When did you join the agency?
I joined SE10 the summer of 2007.

Where is the most interesting place you've traveled?
One of the best trips I've taken was to Morocco. I was stranded for a day and a half after the ports closed in a big storm! It was a great extended stay, even with a three hour return trip of sea-sick tourists.

What is your favorite book?
A collection of short stories by Roald Dahl.

What is your most notable professional award or success?
I'm the office Boggle champion, I've yet to be beaten! At least in the three-letter word category.

What is your education?
I received my BA from Beloit College.

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Greta Solomon
Account Director


What do you do for SE10?
I work as an Account Director looking after Keystone Distribution. As well as planning their PR strategy, I spend a lot of time writing articles, press releases, newsletters and award entries. I also work to organise events and facilitate corporate partnerships. My job is extremely varied. One day I could be interviewing a senior executive and the next standing in a restaurant filming a corporate video.

I also do pro bono PR work for SafeHands for Mothers, which is a charity that works to make pregnancy and birth safer. This is extremely rewarding and I enjoy educating people about this topic.

What are some of your previous jobs?
I've worked in the media for the last 10 years. My journalism jobs have included full-time posts at Executive Woman (Deputy Editor) and Woman (Features Writer). And I've worked as a freelance travel, health and celebrity writer for women's magazines, newspapers and websites.



For the five years before joining SE10 I also worked as a freelance PR representative. My clients included companies in the music, fashion, education, training and motoring industries.

When did you join the agency?
February 2009

What is your favorite movie?
There are two films which I never tire of watching - Amadeus (the story of Mozart's feud with rival Salieri) and Hillary and Jackie (the story of the famous cellist Jacqueline du Pre). I'm sure I was a musician in a previous life!

What are you listening to right now?
I've gone a bit retro lately and have been listening to the best of Tracy Chapman.

Where do you live?
I live in London and have done so all my life. But originally my parents are from Jamaica and Nevis.

What is your education?
My main qualification is a Psychology degree. But I'm a sponge for learning, so I've completed lots of short courses since, including life coaching, lyric writing, writing coaching and neuro-linguistic programming.

What sports do you enjoy watching or participating in?
The only sport I really love watching is athletics (or track and field for those in the U.S.) Usain Bolt breaking the world 100m record was pure poetry!

What are some things that you may not know about me?
In 2003, I represented Great Britain in the Model of the Universe competition.

I'm also a songwriter. I have publishing deals in Belgium, Holland and the UK and hold an A-grade certificate in lyric writing from Berklee College of Music.


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Mark Koenig
Graphic Designer


What do you do for SE10?
I am the firm's graphic designer. The projects that I work on vary from laying out trade magazines, to designing email marketing campaigns.

What were some of your previous jobs? (Alternatively, what was your most unusual job?)
Before joining SE10, I worked as a graphic designer at T.I.S. Inc., a college textbook and apparel company based out of Bloomington, Indiana. While still in university, I worked as a design intern at both the Indianapolis Star and the Columbus Dispatch.

My most unusual job would have to be my first job, where as a 16-year-old I worked as a dish-washer at a retirement home cafeteria.

When did you join the agency?
I joined SE10 in October 2009.

What is your favorite movie?
Shaun of the Dead.

What music are you listening to right now?
The Decemberists, Interpol, MIA and Arcade Fire.

Where do you live? Where are you from originally?
I live in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin. I am originally from Indianapolis, Indiana.

What is your most notable professional award or success?
I was named the 2006 Student Designer of the Year, a national award given out by the Society of News Design.

How do you get to work?
I brave the Madison rush-hour traffic with the help of a travel mug full of coffee and my trusty satellite radio.

What is you education?
B.A. in Studio Art from Indiana University.

What sports do you like to watch or participate in?
I'm a pretty big sports fan. I stick mostly to the big three American sports (football, baseball and basketball) and watch as many games as I can. But I like to consider myself a well-rounded sports fan and get excited for any major sporting event...whether I'm a fan of the sport or not! (See: Olympic Curling)

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Ronan Cloud
Account Manager


What do you do for SE10?
Rather than look after a single client, I spread my time across four main accounts, for whom I seek to achieve international press coverage and industry recognition by all and any means. On a day-to-day basis, I liaise with my clients, create articles and press releases, and contact key media to pitch ideas and stories.

What are some of your previous jobs?
Before joining SE10, my working life mostly involved talking. I was a customer service agent for Toyota, a sales & marketing man for electronics giant Sony (among others) and a PR executive for a firm specializing in property, where I began to develop my writing.

One memorable role, however, did not involve talking. I was 15 and growing up in Holland where I spent most summers on work placements at my dad's office. One such role required me to reorganize an entire warehouse made up of what seemed like hundreds of 9ft tall shelving units. I was alone, with nothing but a broken radio as company. After that, I didn't go back.

When did you join the agency?
June 2009.

What is your favorite movie?
Jaws. An absolute classic. I'm not one for scary movies and Jaws may have put me off going in the sea, but it remains the only film I have ever watched three times back-to-back. And still somehow enjoyed it.

Where is the most interesting place you've traveled?
When I was 21, I went on an Asian adventure that took in eight countries in five months. Among them was Laos, which is the most bombed place on earth but, as a country, has never actually been to war. It is a truly wonderful place in its character, scenery and charm. It also has the most vividly blue sky I've ever seen.

What is your philosophy about work?
The more you put in, the more you get out. Focus on the job in hand but stay relaxed. Work is serious business but if you can't enjoy doing it, it's not worth doing.

What is something that you may not know about me?
I play roller hockey for a regional division team in Surrey.

How do you get to work?
I have the enviable privilege of being able to walk to work. Although it means I have no excuse for being late!

Where are you from originally?
An interesting question; I was born in England and then, at the age of two, moved to Belgium. From there, due to my father's job, we moved home every three years, mostly between the glamorous delights of Holland and Belgium. At the age of nine, I joined a boarding school back in England where I spent the following nine years. By which time my parents had finally moved back to England, where they now live in Surrey. I think that answers the question.

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Elizabeth Tilley
Asia Pacific Correspondent


What are some of your previous jobs?
Fashion & Beauty Editor, Business/Property Reporter, Police Reporter, Finance News Journalist & Presenter

What do you do for SE10?
Based in Sydney, Australia, I manage Volvo Construction Equipment's Region Asia account and report on anything happening for our clients in Australasia. I also write stories for some of Volvo CE’s other internal publications and the occasional story for some of SE10’s other clients.

When did you join the agency?
I joined SE10 in June 2009.

Where is the most interesting place you've traveled?
I think I'd have to say Poland. Visiting the Nazi concentration camps was an incredibly moving experience. My favourite place to have travelled so far though would have to be Greece, in particular the magical island of Santorini.

What are you listening to right now?
George Michael’s Greatest Hits

What is your most notable professional award or success?
Receiving an award for Best Stunt Journalist after rolling a company car during my cadetship at the first newspaper I ever worked for! It was an accident of course and walked away with only a hint of whiplash.

What is your education?
Bachelor of Journalism (Distinction)

Outside of work, I enjoy…
Painting, yoga, running, shopping, fine dining and exploring new places.

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