After graduating university with a Marketing degree, I embarked on the journey of a career in Communications. I started in local government as a communications assistant then moved to BAE Systems as a Media Relations Advisor, managing media relations for regional press across 13 UK sites, travelling worldwide supporting events and exhibitions to ensure products/capabilities were featured in show publications as well as national press – both UK and/or international. I then joined Thomson Local to set up their internal communications function before joining internal comms agency theblueballroom as their Business Development Manager.
I returned in-house as Internal Communications Manager with SSP in March 2010. Since building the function from scratch I have introduced a new social intranet, internal magazine and I’m about to launch a third channel to support crisis communications. Building a strong foundation aligned to the strategic direction of the business with tools that meet the needs of a fast paced, predominantly offline business I have ensured the function is seen as a real support to the other areas. Having recently recruited an Internal Communications Executive I’m hoping to drive the function further in 2012.
I have recently joined the CIPR Inside as a member of their committee and launched the IC Crowd in September with fellow comms professionals, Dana Leeson and Rachel Miller.
These are my own thoughts and findings as an internal communicator working inside an organisation in the bright lights of London – you can find me on twitter @jenniwheller as well.
