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Alan, Managing Director at SHIFT Communications: Advize Career Interview
A career in public relations, as described by a Managing Director at SHIFT Communications, offers a dynamic path blending journalism skills with business acumen.
A journalism degree and early internships, especially at a groundbreaking technology PR firm, provided a strong foundation.
The Managing Director's daily activities encompass client management, team leadership, business development, and navigating the unpredictable nature of the industry.
Success requires strong communication, personal accountability, and unwavering curiosity, enabling effective client counsel in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
The most rewarding aspects involve team victories and continuous learning from both successes and challenges, including the inherent blend of "art and science" in the profession.
Aspiring professionals should prioritize internships, learn to anticipate future roles, cultivate a thick skin, and master the art of considering diverse perspectives.
A foundational understanding of journalism—particularly writing, collaboration, and curiosity—remains highly valuable.
The interview reveals a career defined by problem-solving, collaboration, and continuous learning within the exciting world of technology PR.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Alan Dunton
Managing Director
SHIFT Communications
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
NA
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Creative Writing, Journalism
Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Business Strategy
None Applicable
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Career Path Of A Managing Director At SHIFT Communications
Alan's career path began with a journalism degree from Cal Poly, but an internship at Copthorne and Bellows, a "groundbreaking technology PR firm," revealed a passion for PR, described as "reverse journalism." This led to a 25-year career spanning agency and in-house roles, culminating in Alan's current position as Managing Director at SHIFT Communications after six years.
Main Responsibilities of a Managing Director at SHIFT Communications
As Managing Director at SHIFT Communications, Alan co-leads the firm with a colleague, overseeing "operational management responsibilities" including hitting financial targets, maintaining high client service quality, and ensuring team member utilization. A significant portion of the role also involves "business development," encompassing sales, networking within a larger agency portfolio, and collaborating with peers to cross-sell services and address shared market challenges.
A Day In The Life Of A Managing Director At SHIFT Communications
A Managing Director's day is "pretty varied," encompassing client work, personnel management, recruiting, business development, internal collaboration, and research; the overarching goal is "solving problems" and empowering the team to deliver high-quality, measurable results for clients.
Most Important Skills For A Managing Director At SHIFT Communications
Alan, a Managing Director at SHIFT Communications, highlights strong communication skills ("written and verbal skills have to be really strong") and personal accountability as crucial for success in public relations. Further, Alan emphasizes the importance of curiosity about current events to effectively counsel clients and adapt to the evolving media landscape, stating that "if you're not curious about what's going on...you're not gonna be able to counsel your clients correctly."
Favorite Parts of Being a Managing Director at SHIFT Communications
Alan, a Managing Director at SHIFT Communications, finds the most rewarding aspect of the role is "when we win," whether securing new business or successfully executing complex campaigns. This involves celebrating team successes, showcasing great work, and using those experiences as learning opportunities for continuous improvement.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Managing Director At SHIFT Communications
Alan's biggest challenge as Managing Director at SHIFT Communications is "the unpredictability of the world around us," specifically the fluctuating nature of client businesses and the inherent subjectivity in human-to-human interaction, which makes it difficult to precisely predict outcomes despite the best intentions and data-driven approaches. This blend of "art and science" in the work is both exciting and nerve-wracking.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Technology Industry as a Managing Director
Alan, a Managing Director at SHIFT Communications in Silicon Valley, thrives on the "exposure to all the different type of stuff that's being built," particularly within the rapidly evolving technology sector. This includes being "on the front row" of advancements in artificial intelligence, providing unique insights into emerging companies and market trends.
What Type Of Person Thrives In Public Relations, According To A Managing Director At SHIFT Communications
Alan, a Managing Director at SHIFT Communications, identifies three key attributes for success in the PR industry: "great communicators," a "thick skin" to handle frequent rejection, and unwavering "curiosity" to navigate diverse client needs and continuously learn. This combination of skills and resilience, according to Alan, is crucial for thriving in the competitive agency landscape.
What a Managing Director at SHIFT Communications Wishes They Knew Before Communications Career
Alan, a Managing Director at SHIFT Communications, learned the importance of pausing before speaking and emulating the calm demeanor of mentors throughout the career. The approach involves considering "what would they do in this particular situation," drawing lessons from past experiences with strong leaders to inform current decision-making.
Entry-level positions for aspiring Account Coordinators
Entry-level PR and marketing communications roles include internships—"my very first journalism teacher gave me advice which has never worked for free"—and then account coordinator or assistant account executive positions, which are crucial to agency success. To advance quickly, "know what the next job is and try to do those things," proactively seeking opportunities for growth and learning.
Significant Career Lesson From A Managing Director At SHIFT Communications
Alan, a Managing Director at SHIFT Communications, emphasizes the crucial lesson of considering "other perspectives," not just within a team but especially understanding clients' mindsets and the context of current events, such as market fluctuations. This involves pausing to analyze situations, choosing helpful responses over immediate reactions, and recognizing that "they probably don't mean the level of snark that they might have had," ultimately promoting positive interactions and effective problem-solving.
College Experiences That Helped a Managing Director at SHIFT Communications Succeed
Alan's journalism degree from Cal Poly, coupled with experience at "the only fully student-run daily newspaper in the nation," provided invaluable training in "working under pressure, working under deadlines, working collaboratively," directly translating to agency life at SHIFT Communications. The foundational knowledge of journalism, including "how to write, learning how to be curious," remains incredibly useful in Alan's PR career, regardless of specific tasks.
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