Frankie Lyons is Digital PR Director at Wild PR.
Wild PR, formerly known as KC Communications, was established in 2014 and is a PR and communications agency based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.
The agency specialises in traditional and digital PR, social media, and SEO-focused content creation working with a range of clients including Specialist Glass Products, Heald and Ayre Event Solutions.
Lyons has worked at the agency since 2020 as Senior Digital PR Manager until she was promoted to Digital PR Director earlier this year.
She shared the lessons she has learnt…
Which single daily habit or practice could you not do without?
For me, being really organised is a habit I couldn’t do without! I know so many people do this, but in our industry being organised and on top of your to-do list and calendar each day is essential.
Before the end of each working day, I create and write a list of tasks for the next day and cross-reference it with my calendar so I’m well aware of any meeting commitments I have and I can make sure I give myself enough prep time.
I will block out the required time I need to complete a task in my calendar so a) I feel calmer and more organised when it comes to my to-do list and b) my colleagues can see when I’ll be working on those big hefty tasks and can avoid dropping in any meetings or catch-ups around this time.
What’s been your luckiest break?
I’d say my luckiest break was landing such a great first role in digital marketing straight out of university. I hadn’t even picked up my degree certificate before I interviewed and was offered my first role as a junior digital media executive at Epiphany Solutions.
I stayed with the company for over five years and was really given the opportunity in this job to grow my knowledge with some of the best in the business. I also had some really supportive managers and colleagues during my time there and made many friends for life which really helped me grow professionally but also personally! I don’t think I’d have the confidence in myself that I do now if I hadn’t been given that start in the industry.
What’s your best failure?
I don’t really look at things as failures – more as learnings. I’d say my biggest learnings and challenges have been as a line manager. There’s nothing that really prepares you for becoming a line manager of multiple people and it can take some time for you to develop your own managerial style.
When I first become a line manager, I definitely made some mistakes and learnt A LOT about adapting your communication style and format to each individual, but now I think I’ve really honed my skills and supporting my team with their personal and professional growth is one of my favourite parts of my job!!
What is the best investment you’ve ever made, either financial or time?
Investing in my personal health and wellbeing since beginning my career has been the best thing I’ve ever done. When I first started out, I’d let work, clients, feedback, deadlines and all that comes with that get on top of me. I’ve always struggled with anxiety and a bit of imposter syndrome but since beginning my career in PR and digital marketing, I’ve made a real conscious effort to focus more on what makes me happy and feel good once I leave the office.
I’m really lucky that in my current role at Wild PR, we have access to our very own ‘Better You Budget’ which can be used on anything from a gym membership to a hypnotherapy course. I think initiatives like this are essential in encouraging employees to reflect on their own wellbeing in the workplace and place a real amount of importance on taking care of themselves at home.
Which book would you recommend others to read and why?
I can’t lie, I’m not much of a bookworm unless you count Kris Jenner’s autobiography! But something I have read and found really useful was ‘Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones’ by James Clear.
We were all given a copy by our MD Katrina at Wild PR and discussed our learnings during a book club session. I found the book to be a great way to reflect back on yourself and those little innate habits you’ve picked up over the years. I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for practical and straightforward guidance that you can actually go away and use in your day-to-day life!
What one piece of advice would you give your 21-year-old self?
Don’t sweat the small stuff! Push yourself to take every opportunity presented to you – what’s the worst that can happen? As many wise PR’s have said to me in the past, “It’s PR not ER”.
Who or what has had the single biggest influence on your working life?
I’d say my now husband – he is my biggest cheerleader and support system! We’ve been together since we were 15 and he’s always pushed me to pursue my dreams and achieve my goals at work. He’s supported me every step of the way, through my time at university studying for my career and then once I got my break into the industry.
Tell us something about you that would surprise people.
Yoko Ono follows me on Twitter.
How will the COVID crisis change work for the better?
I think the pandemic has really changed our relationship with flexible working and actually trusting staff to work from home. I’ve worked at organisations before that promote ‘flexible working’ but the red tape you’d have to get through to leave 10 mins earlier for a dentist appointment was outrageous. But now, I think businesses
have become a lot more sensitive and understanding to individuals’ needs and flexibility has actually come into play.
I’m currently expecting my first child and I think our flexible working policy at Wild PR is really going to be beneficial to me and also being able to do a nice balance of in office and at-home working too.
What does success look like to you?
To me, a happy, motivated team is a success! If your team enjoys coming to work and has good internal relationships, the results will follow suit!
