Interview With a PR Practitioner

This is an interview which I conducted in December 2010. The interview is with Katherine Bawden who is the senior press manager at Warner Music.
1. How did you know you wanted to work in PR?
I was always mad about music growing up but everyone always told me it was virtually impossible to get a job in music! However, whilst I was at university it gave me the time to do work experience at local recording studios, club promotions and writing CD reviews. I also did my dissertation about the music industry which opened up my list of contacts. I wasn't sure that it was PR I wanted to go into, but I managed to get experience at Sony Music record company in London after university - it started out as a 1 month placement but I ended up staying for 8, moving around each department at it was PR that I loved most.
2. How did your career in PR start?
Once I got the job as Press Assistant and Sony Music, I worked my way to becoming a Junior Press Officer, working on press campaigns for bands/artists. I left to become a press officer for the company that looks after Madonna, Russell Brand, REM, Mark Ronson, James Blunt.
3. Did you find it easy to get into the profession?
It's a lot about who you know and then about work experience, building up your contacts, being enthusiastic, prepared to do anything, go to gigs, showing intiative and networking with a strong passion for music.
4. What kind of role do you have now? Could you give me an example of something which you have recently worked on?
I am the publicist for artists such as Jason Derulo, Seal, Pendulum and many new up and coming artists. I recently worked on the Cee Lo Green press campaign - this involved the launch of his number 1 single 'Forget You' and his album release 'The Lady Killer'.
5. What do you think is the most difficult thing about being a PR practicioner.
It's a lifestyle, not just a job. You have to spend a lot of weekends, evenings going to gigs/working. The job never stops as you can get calls at any time of day from journalists or managers.
6. Can you give me an example of something you have worked on which you found really challenging?
Working witht new clients in the current climate can be difficult as there are fewer areas in the press to pitch for new band features. Also, some of the artists I have worked on can have a difficult time with the press and it's about controlling this as best you can.
7. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself as Head of Press at Warner Music.