In this member spotlight interview we meet Manpreet Dhillon, a Senior Corporate Affairs Manager at Playtech with over 11 years of Marketing experience. She is a well-rounded, target-oriented, entrepreneurial individual with extensive knowledge directing and managing in-house PR campaigns and has proven success in developing, managing and implementing media strategies and measuring results across traditional media and digital channels. She possesses a profound understanding of the importance of good publicity, reputation management, and developing the success of an organisation. In this interview we discuss her career journey so far and her thoughts on the future of PR.
What drives you?
A challenge and the chance to learn. I like challenging myself and advancing on a personal and professional level, that’s what attracted me to Public Relations. It is a very fast-paced environment that entails being proactive and reactive which I thoroughly enjoy. No two days are ever the same so you never know what to expect.
Your proudest moment?
Receiving the award for Star of the Future during my first year at Playtech.
The awards are intended to recognise and reward outstanding employees who not only have the ability and commitment to their work but also possess those extra capabilities. I was recognised as being not only the future of the industry but also potentially its future leader. A true privilege to be awarded this and have every intention of living up to it.
Your PR hero and why?
Stephanie Cutter, the successful political PR specialist. During Obama’s presidential campaign, she was referred to as “the one-woman attack squad.” Stephanie worked to win Obama a second term and become one of the most sought-after PR managers, that’s the level of success I hope to achieve.
What would you tell your 21-year-old self?
It’s okay not to have all the answers and ask as many questions as you can and back yourself in everything you do.
Your first PR role?
I started my PR journey at Playtech as a Public Relations and Communications manager a few years ago where I have had the privilege of learning the A-Z of PR and continue to learn. With hard work and determination, I am now a Senior Corporate Affairs Manager.
Your favourite place to escape?
I would love to escape to a remote island where you completely disconnect from technology. Working in a role that requires you to be connected 24/7 means you often don’t get to switch off from the world and a little bit of sun, sea and sand never hurt anyone! 😉
If you weren’t in PR, what would you be?
A secret service agent…. They also have to think on their feet, react quickly and pre-empt obstacles.
Why did you join Women in PR? Why is it an important organisation?
To have the opportunity to meet incredible women who have paved their own careers whilst overcoming their own hurdles is truly inspirational. This organisation provides people from all different professional levels and walks of life an opportunity to learn and inspire from one another.
What is your biggest fail?
Companies are placing more emphasis on diversity and inclusion initiatives and are increasingly understanding the value of recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce. These workers play a critical role in a company’s ability to adapt, grow and sustain a competitive advantage in the modern business landscape. My biggest failure has been not being given equal opportunities within a workplace due to gender and ethnicity and accepting it as the way it always is. I should have stepped up sooner and questioned every missed opportunity,
What’s the future of PR?
The media landscape has changed. It’s no longer only about just securing print, digital and broadcast features, it has to go beyond that. The future is the ability to tell the story and to have the ability to create lasting buzz across all platforms.
Lines between marketing and PR will get more blurred whereby PR professionals will need to upskill and understand other parts of the marketing and that means telling a cohesive story through events, social campaigns, partnerships and the press.
Biggest lessons from your career journey so far?
You will always encounter people who have more experience than you throughout your career, you shouldn’t let this phase you. Learning from people with more experience will help you to grow personally and professionally. And adopting a never stop learning attitude throughout the entirety of your career will help you to become more rounded, and more importantly, remain relevant in a rapidly changing PR world.
