Meet thePR and communications manager

Bitmovins Zoe Mumba offers advice for anyone thinking of joining the media tech industry in marketing or PR, and why she loves learning about video streaming and how it has evolved

By Contributor

Published: November 1, 2022 Updated: November 2, 2022

Bitmovin's Zoe Mumba offers advice for anyone thinking of joining the media tech industry in marketing or PR, and why she loves learning about video streaming and how it has evolved

target=_blank title=Share on LinkedIn class=share-linkedin>

Zoe Mumba, PR and communications manager, Bitmovin Talk us through an average day in your role. It sounds cliche, but no two days are the same! I sit within the marketing team, and I am primarily responsible for PR, internal communications and supporting DEI initiatives. However, I also work closely with my marketing colleagues on designing and executing social media and content strategies and pure marketing activities, so I spin many plates!

I work remotely, so after I have woken up and dragged myself to the gym, I settle down in my home office with an oat latte, check the latest news headlines, and then respond to emails and slack messages. I usually have 1-1 virtual meetings with colleagues from the marketing team, HR or product to discuss upcoming priorities, any blockers and how we can best support each other. I dedicate the early afternoon to writing content, and I finish the day with meetings with colleagues in the US and then review my to-do list to see how much I achieved! Even though we have a PR agency, I still do some media pitching because it's my favourite part of the job.

Once a month I visit our London office because the marketing team has an All Hands meeting. I enjoy it because we can brainstorm in person and feel more connected. We usually head out for dinner and drinks afterwards.

How did you get started in the media industry? I joined the industry by chance when I started my PR and communications career as a junior account executive at a PR agency specialising in media and entertainment technology. I spent six years at my former company, working with industry experts and becoming more well-versed in strategic communications. Earlier this year, Bitmovin was looking for a PR and communications manager, and it felt like the right time to take on a new challenge so far, so good!

What training did you have before entering the industry? Like many PRs, I originally wanted to be a journalist because I love writing! At university, I studied English with a minor in North American Literature and Film. Alongside my studies, I also ran my blog, which WordPress featured on their homepage, and wrote for the student newspaper. During the summer holidays, I worked as a reviewer for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and undertook work experience at The Guardian and a regional news agency. Eventually, I decided to pursue a career in PR because it still allowed me to write, be creative and also help brands tell their story to the world.

Why do you enjoy working in the industry? Media technology, specifically video streaming, has made extraordinary advancements quickly. I was at university when Netflix launched in the UK, and I remember how it quickly became a cultural phenomenon and kickstarted the gold rush for video streaming services. I love learning about video streaming and seeing how it has evolved. It's great to continue my journey in the industry with Bitmovin.

What piece of advice would you give to someone looking to explore similar role to yours? My advice to anyone that wants to get into PR would be to start your career with an agency because it will allow you to work with different companies and gain a broad range of experience. My career path was slightly unusual because I only worked at one PR agency before going in-house. Still, I would recommend spending time at big agencies and smaller, more boutique agencies so you can have a more well-rounded experience.

I would also say make sure you love reading and writing because the two go hand in hand. You'll spend a lot of time writing content, so you need to be able to write clear, compelling copy, and the best writers are often avid readers! Also, make sure you are curious about the world and enjoy staying on top of the news agenda. Knowing what's dominating the news cycle is essential if you want your client/company to be in the news.

LINK:	https://www.tvbeurope.com/business/people/meet-the-pr-and-communicatio...
	See more stories from tvb

Most recent headlines