When I first stepped into the Keith Bishop PR office, I had no idea what to expect. It was my very first work experience—new city, new job, new industry—and all I knew about PR other than what I’d learned at college came from TV shows, social media, and the occasional press release. Nothing, however, prepares you for being right in the middle of a media environment.
At the time of writing, I’m a Management with Marketing student at the University of Bath, and I joined the team in September 2024 for my placement year. At the start, I felt entirely out of my depth. Everyone seemed to know exactly what they were doing while I was trying to figure out my role and how I could be helpful, even with a job description and guidance to follow, it was nerve-racking. My nervousness didn’t last long; the team welcomed me straight away, encouraged me to ask questions, and made me feel part of every conversation.
On my very first day, I found myself at Leicester Square for the premiere of Dr. Aseem Malhotra’s film Do Not Pharm! I’d barely unpacked my desk and there I was, standing on the red carpet. At first, I wasn’t sure what I could possibly contribute, but my colleagues guided me through it, and I quickly realised just how much work goes into making PR look effortless and glamorous.
One of the biggest lessons I learned came directly from Keith himself: communication is everything. It’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it. Watching him interact with clients and colleagues showed me how words can build trust, open doors, and even make business happen. It’s a skill that feels almost like magic, and I’ve been trying to practise it ever since.
I also discovered how much creativity in PR comes from teamwork. As the Gen Z intern, I was given the reins to create and manage the company’s TikTok account. I had freedom to come up with ideas and shape the content, but the truth is, the account became what it was because everyone contributed. When we went to the Sports Direct store on Oxford Street to brainstorm content for Michael Barrymore we worked together on ideas that ended up generating three TikToks—all of which passed 100,000 views. That experience taught me that the best results aren’t born from one person’s ideas, but from collaboration.
Of course, PR isn’t all smooth sailing. During the premiere, things got hectic fast. Crowds turned up unexpectedly, and people arrived through word of mouth and were not on the guest list. We had to manage this on the spot. But instead of panicking, the team stayed calm, adapted, and pulled it off. Watching them in action taught me the importance of composure, guidance, and teamwork when a situation could quite easily spiral out of control.
Another thing I came to love is the way PR finds opportunity in almost anything. Take a high street brand’s iconic mug, for example. It doesn’t look like much, but I found with the right approach, it can become a powerful branding tool. For example, we used it in a clever yet straightforward way, gifting the mugs to contributors who then created content with them—and it worked. That’s the magic of PR: with creativity, even the most minor things can have an impact.
It wasn’t just about the work, though. I genuinely enjoyed being part of the office every day. As this was my first proper job, I had nothing to compare it to, but I know I was lucky. Everyone was patient, kind, and always made sure I was learning and contributing. We had plenty of laughs, and there wasn’t a single day I dreaded coming in.
That said, PR is far from easy. From the outside, it can look glamorous, but behind the scenes, it’s long hours, constant problem-solving, chasing contacts, and rewriting material again and again until it’s perfect. It’s demanding, but that effort is what builds lasting results—and being part of that process gave me a whole new respect for the industry.
One standout moment for me was attending our client Matt Goss’s photoshoot for Loaded magazine. It wasn’t in a studio but in a bar, which gave it a unique atmosphere. Meeting Matt was surreal, and when he asked for my opinion on the shots, I couldn’t believe it. Supporting the team that day and seeing the behind-the-scenes of a shoot like that was an experience I’ll never forget.
Looking back, I couldn’t have asked for a better placement. I came in nervous and unsure, and I left with skills, confidence, and experiences I’ll carry into the next chapter of my career. PR taught me that it isn’t just about making something look good—it’s about strategy, relationships, and storytelling. Most importantly, it showed me how the way you present yourself to the world can shape everything that follows. My time at Keith Bishop PR has been more than work experience—it’s been a glimpse into real life.
