Basement Flat

16A Montpelier Road

Brighton

East Sussex BN1 2LQ

: 07921 845823

: mattdwatson@btconnect.com

: www.linkedin.com/in/mattdwatson

mattdwatson0571

Personal statement

I am a bright, personable professional seeking a new challenge in a creative, forward-thinking

environment. I have over 20 years’ experience working in a variety of commercially-driven

communications and marketing positions, including premium consumer brands, fashion, brewing,

retail and publishing. My main career focus has been in marketing communications, with varied

experience in brand marketing (both B2B and B2C), product development, event logistics, experiential

marketing, design, e-commerce, journalism and copywriting.

Key achievements

Working within the press operations team, managing 6000 international journalists at the

London 2012 Olympic Games

Managing the development and marketing of a charity Filofax organiser, generating over £2

million in profit in five years, and over £500,000 for the charity

Transforming an entire island in the Maldives into a brand experience for Coca-Cola

Winning The Weakest Link

Employment

August 2013 to present

Marketing Communications Consultant - freelance

I am currently working as a freelance Marketing Communications consultant, most

recently at Radiator PR managing a project with the global office of HEAD Sports and

Andy Murray OBE. Click here for video

February 2013 to July 2013

ModelZone Limited – Online Pre-order Project Manager

A commercially-focused role, based in the e-commerce department of the UK's largest model and

collectable retailer. Project managing the development of a new pre-ordering process, reporting to

the Head of E-Commerce and Chief Executive, with ambitious KPIs and financial targets.

Liaison with key management stakeholders throughout the company including e-marketing, web

development, buying, merchandising, operations and logistics; in addition to direct negotiation with

key brand owners to develop a robust and profitable process for the pre-release ordering of products.

in-depth use of Magento e-commerce software

sales data management and statistical analysis

development of website architecture and e-marketing strategy

buying and merchandising analysis

April 2012 to September 2012

London 2012 - London Organising Committee Olympic & Paralympic Games

- Press Operations Team Leader

The Main Press Centre at the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games was home to 6,000

international print and broadcast journalists, operating 24 hours a day during Games time. Working

within the Press Operations MPC management team, my main function was the coordination of

athletes, VIPs and Olympic officials appearing in international media conferences at the MPC.

Managing a team of 32 volunteers, my role was to liaise closely with the Media Conference team,

Venue Media teams and National Olympic Committee press attachés, to ensure that athletes and

officials were delivered to the world’s press at the media conference suite.

This demanding and varied role also included the coordination of daily live entertainment within the

media complex, plus general duties and troubleshooting within the Press Operations team.

Matt Watson mattdwatson@btconnect.com 07921 845823 p2/2

March 2011 to March 2012

Freelance PR, marketing and copywriting consultant

January 2004 to February 2011

Filofax Limited – Communications Manager

I originally joined iconic personal organiser brand Filofax to overhaul the company’s PR strategy, a role

which was expanded after a year to encompass the management of the brand’s nationwide

consumer advertising campaign. My role developed to the position of deputy to the Head of

Marketing, with involvement in most areas of marketing activity.

Management of the brand’s consumer advertising campaign, including management of

external creative agency and media buying agency

Strategy, management, and evaluation of consumer PR including management of external

PR agency; delivery of in-house trade/B2B PR campaign

Design and copywriting of B2B and B2C materials, including website and e-newsletter content

Creation and implementation of brand building initiatives including third party collaborations

with Breast Cancer Campaign, Office Angels, Swarovski, the London 2012 Olympic Games,

and London Fashion Week

Internal communication of product and marketing information to global stakeholders

throughout the company, including production of new product and sales presentations

September 98 – November 2000

Key Events Ltd – Project Director

Creating and implementing experiential marketing campaigns for several high-profile retained clients,

including Coca-Cola, Walkers, Siemens and Nike.

May 97 – September 98

Red Rooster PR – Group Account Manager

Devising and managing PR campaigns for a group of over twelve brands, including Ben Sherman, Fred

Perry, Red or Dead, Reebok, Urban Outfitters and BBC Haymarket Events. Responsible for the

management of a team of eight account executives and account managers.

Oct 96 – May 97

Freelance PR consultancy and Contributing Beauty Editor – Attitude Magazine

Oct 94 – Oct 96

Exposure Ltd – Account Manager

Working with a variety of FMCG and corporate brands at this innovative marketing communications

consultancy, including PR, marketing, advertising, B2B communications, guerrilla media and event

production.

PR communications for fashion clients such as Replay Jeans, Urban Stone, Trigger Happy,

Converse

nationwide event activity, guerrilla media, and PR for launch of ‘Red’ for Bass Brewers

launch of a new fashion trade show (40 Degrees) for Emap plc

Feb 93 – Oct 94

Fashion Monitor, Profile Group Ltd – Editor

Responsible for the research, compilation and production of Fashion Monitor (a monthly information

service for the fashion communications industry).

Education

1982 – 1989 Lancaster Royal Grammar School 4 A-levels 11 O-Levels

1989 – 1992 University of Bristol Plant Biology & Environmental Microbiology BSc (Hons) IIII