Meet the team: Grace Nolan, account manager
Introducing the newest member of the Speak Media team, Grace Nolan, who joins us as our account manager. Grace tells us about her editorial experience, how she’s planning on expanding client partnerships in the North – and why short form podcasts are the future.
What excites you most about joining Speak Media?
I’m excited about its growth potential. And it's exciting to be around such creative people who are specialists in their sectors – whether it’s copywriters, content creators, videographers or photographers. It’s great to all have a common goal of building amazing content.
Tell us a bit about your previous career.
After my degree in Television and Radio at the University of Salford, I freelanced as a production runner and assistant, working with ITV, the BBC and other independent production companies.
I then worked for an events publishing company, working my way up from editorial assistant to a digital lead, to an editor in charge of partnerships and conferences. I also led a diversity and inclusion group in manufacturing, building it from a handful of members to thousands on social media. The manufacturing industry can be quite male-dominated, so this group was really needed. It was amazing to see its positive impact.
What differentiates Speak from other content agencies?
I think it’s that journalistic approach, marrying up what clients want to communicate with the formats and subject matter that people actually want to consume – and delivering it to an exceptionally high standard that safeguards and enhances client reputation. Everyone on the team is so good at what they do – which is great because it makes it makes collaborating on content a joy!
What content trends are on your radar at the moment?
What’s on my radar in particular are shorter podcast formats. I see people doing more daily podcasts, maybe only three to five minutes long. It's a zap of information, which I think may become quite popular instead of having all these hour-long episodes.
What’s your vision for Speak?
To help grow and sustain the business in London, but also expand into the North. That's something that really excites me because it's where I'm from. Additionally, for the team to win more external recognition for the amazing work they do, building on the recent CMA award, Prolific London award and many others over the years.
What motivates you?
I'm quite a driven person and my career is very important to me. So, to have landed in a path I am genuinely interested in, in terms of content strategy and delivery – that motivates me to keep going. I come from a hard-working family, so I’ve got to keep the Northern energy going!
What is your proudest achievement?
Pushing myself when I was 20 to go travelling to Australia for nearly three months. While I was over there, I did a skydive – it was a spur-of-the-moment kind of push. I'm a bit of an adrenaline junkie. Work-wise, my proudest moment is probably winning a ‘Rapid Recognition’ award that my colleagues nominated me for.
Tell us something you’re passionate about.
I love mountain biking, or road biking when the weather’s bad. I also love following women’s football. And I like travelling – I went to Paris during the Women’s World Cup.
Do you have any New Year resolutions?
To do the zipline in Wales, the fastest zipline in Europe.
What does an ideal weekend look like for you?
Friday night, I’d go to the gym, then meet friends for a couple of drinks. Saturday, I’d go mountain biking or to a football match. Then Sunday would be quite chilled: a walk and then roast dinner.
Quickfire Qs
Favourite word?
Wow.
Favourite book?
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Favourite thing on TV?
Superstore or Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Magazine subscription?
Women’s Health magazine