From Open House to Talent Spot at Leopard Co
I first discovered Leopard Co at a careers fair at University. Fully immersed in their talk, I booked to attend their open house to learn more. Little did I know when I was sat there, that I would be in the same office as a Talent Spot just a few months later!
Initially, as a psychology student, I was particularly nervous (yet excited) to go, given that professional PR, social media, and marketing in general was a completely new domain to me. However, from the moment I walked in, the team exerted enthusiasm, kindness, and a helping hand, allowing me to grow and learn every step of the way.
Hayley Abbott, my Talent Spot mentor, met me with a smile, giving me an initial tour of the office and introducing me to the team. Each day she ran through the task briefs, offering me support whenever necessary. From giving me knowledge, to asking me to go shopping on our lunch break, she could not have been more welcoming, making me feel comfortable and at ease. I can honestly say she was a key part of my amazing time here.
The Tasks!
Day one was all things PR. From writing a press release for the first time to making a target media list, I was thrown into the deep end but in the best way possible. Being able to show my creativity through puns that matched the client’s personality, to getting serious when considering different media types, the day was ‘pack’-ed full of learning. (Get it? Leopard ‘pack’…?)
Day two was then all things social media. First it was my job to write a competitor audit and create a social content plan for two apps- LinkedIn and Twitter. This task allowed me to get stuck in, while keeping to the differences between platforms (e.g., different audiences, purposes etc). On the same day, it was also my job to present a target influencer list and outreach message for a pet treat brand! Getting to research cute pet influencers and formulating something that felt relevant to them, I felt was straight up my street as a fellow dog lover!
Day three then brought everything together in the form of a campaign. Initially, it seemed overwhelming, but it was nothing that couldn’t be fixed by a quick chat with my mentor. Following a chat with Hayley, I had a better understanding of the brief and could not wait to get started. Upon collating things that I had previously learnt, along with some new concepts, I was able to both consolidate prior information while also continuing to grow- heightening my knowledge right up until the very end of my time at Leopard.
These three days were full of knowledge, excitement, creativity- the list could genuinely go on. Coming here, I wanted to get a taste of what agency life would be like, and I certainly got that. From simply having my own desk, to sitting in on podcasts, to eating lunch with the rest of the team on the rooftop, being a Talent Spot showed me true angles of agency life- exciting me for my future.
If you are hoping to get into PR and marketing, like I am, I would wholeheartedly recommend applying to do a Talent Spot at Leopard Co. From the comforting team to the engrossing tasks, to the office dogs (I met Lottie- she was adorable!), this is the perfect place to kickstart your experience. The only downside was that I wish it was longer!