Meet the team: Gabrielle Bridle, account executive
Gabrielle tells us about the part of her role that gives her a “real sense of achievement”, gaining her NCTJ diploma – and her passion for health and fitness podcasts.
Tell us about your role.
I’m the new account executive at Speak Media. My job on a day-to-day basis involves liaising with clients, dealing with financial budgets, overseeing ongoing projects and ensuring that everything runs as smoothly as possible. I’ve been with the company for just over a month now – and the time has flown by.
What excites you most about working at Speak?
We get to work with clients across different industries and sectors, which means that no two days are the same. I like being part of a busy content agency and collaborating with my team to achieve common goals.
I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and supporting my colleagues with a variety of projects at Speak, finding out more about our clients and helping to grow the company.
Tell us about your career so far.
In 2022, I completed my NCTJ diploma (a journalism-related course) at Harlow College, England, which gave me exposure to multiple areas of the field – from media law to video editing and creative media. These skills have supported my understanding of how newsrooms function.
After completing lots of exams to gain my qualification, I worked as an account liaison at a digital marketing company before joining Speak earlier this year.
Which types of content do you like to consume?
Lately, I’ve enjoyed listening to podcasts – particularly those that are focused on health and fitness, as well as shows where guests are invited on to share their personal perspectives. One of my favourites has been Steven Bartlett’s ‘Diary of a CEO’.
I always used to wonder how people could listen to podcasts for hours on end and consume all this information. But now that I’ve started listening to them myself, I think they can be motivational and insightful.
What has been the most rewarding part of your role so far?
The satisfaction I get when a project has been delivered and the client is happy with the outcome – whether it is an article, a video project or a scoping document where we have presented fresh ideas. It’s so rewarding to get great feedback and it gives me a real sense of achievement that I am helping to make a difference.
Tell us about your hobbies.
I enjoy being in the great outdoors, and I love going on hikes around my local area and trekking for miles in scenic locations such as the Peak District. I also love running. I’m planning on taking part in a half marathon at the end of this year, which will involve extra training.
How do you unwind in the evenings?
After finishing work for the day, I like heading to the gym, swimming and going for a steam in the sauna. After that, I’ll go home, read a book and spend the rest of the evening relaxing in front of the television.
What’s your ideal weekend?
It can vary, but my Saturday mornings will usually begin in the garden with a good book and a cup of tea. On Sundays, I tend to be with my family – and I like rounding off the weekend with a walk around my neighbourhood.
Quickfire Qs:
Coffee order?
Matcha latte with coconut milk.
Favourite book?
The ‘After’ series by Anna Todd.
Magazine subscription?
British Vogue.