Ben Cotton

Contact Details

Mobile: 0791 2063 900

Email: contact@ben-cotton.com
Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/bencotton

Blog: www.socialwebthing.com
Website: www.ben-cotton.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/bencotton

Personal Statement
As an emerging public relations professional, specialising in digital public relations I
am confident that my creativity and desire to stay ahead of the game will help your
company achieve its goals. Existing and future clients will be impressed with
innovative suggestions and meticulous management of their accounts, allowing long-
lasting relationships to be formed.

Employment History

Centre for Public Relations Studies

Researcher, Leeds Business School, Leeds Metropolitan University
October 09 – Present
The CPRS delivers market leading research, consultancy and training to
communications practitioners in the UK and abroad. The Centre’s research can be
found in leading academic journals and publications, while its team is regularly
invited to speak at conferences and seminars around the world.

Key achievements:
• Undertook research into social media usage by local government and
developed a framework for good practice.
• Advised the West Yorkshire Police on its social media strategy.
• Trained local PR consultancies on how to integrate social media into client
campaigns.
• Delivered seminars to NHS Communicators on social media.

Family Holiday Association

Digital PR Advisor (Pro-Bono)
August 09 – Present
The FHA works to promote the quality of family life for those parents and children
who experience disadvantage as a result of poverty through the provision of and by
promoting access to holidays and other recreational activities.

Key achievements:
• Planned and implemented a blogger engagement campaign to promote the
charity’s Big Pub Quiz.
• Developed the FHA’s first social media news release.
• Created the FHA’s digital PR strategy.
• Trained FHA staff on social media.
Yorkshire County Cricket Club
PR & Communications Officer
April 09 – September 09
Yorkshire CCC is a world-famous, professional cricket club who regularly host
international matches and many of their current and former players are amongst the
biggest names in world cricket.

This was a wide-ranging media role that included writing and distributing news
releases, editing the match day programme and online magazine, arranging
interviews, media monitoring, creating audio and video content for the club website
and managing the club’s social media platforms.

Key achievements:
• Created social media guidelines for the players.
• Developed the club’s online PR strategy.
• Organised the press conference to announce that Yorkshire CCC would host
the Australia vs. Pakistan ODI.
• Handled all press activity surrounding former England captain Michael
Vaughan’s retirement.
• Press Liaison Officer during the Ashes and One Day International.

Leeds Metropolitan University

Graduate Trainee - News & Media
July 08 – March 09
Leeds Met is an award-winning university based in Yorkshire with over 40,000
students and 3,000 staff. This press role included media relations, crisis
management, writing and distributing news releases, managing events, producing
copy for the university website and editing corporate publications.

Key achievements:
• Secured positive media coverage for many of the university’s partners
including the Leeds Rhinos, Leeds Carnegie and Black Dyke Band.
• Worked at Wembley Stadium as part of the press team for the Carnegie
Challenge Cup final.
• Leeds Met was ranked as having the Top Online Reputation (Times Higher)
amongst UK universities.
• Regularly gained coverage of academic research in the mainstream press.

Freelance journalist work

• The MCC
• Rugby League Weekly

Education, Professional Qualifications, Achievements & Training

Leeds Metropolitan University - September 04- May 08

Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds Business School, Leighton Hall, Headingley
Campus, Leeds LS6 3QS

• 2:1 BA (Hons) Public Relations 2008

• Affiliate member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.

 • Winner of the 2008 Trimedia Competitive Pitch module at university.
• Whilst working at Leeds Met I attended several in-house training courses that
focussed on business communication, presentation skills and workplace
coaching.
• In addition, I attended two Leadership and Management training courses in
Bavaria hosted by My Peak Potential.

Personal Interests
In my spare time I enjoy watching and playing sport, cooking, shopping and reading. I
also have a keen interest in politics, technology, education and film. I’m fascinated by
social media and how this will impact upon public relations and regularly blog on the
subject. The blog was nominated for the Euprera Social Media Awards. I also
undertake voluntary work advising third sector organisations on their public relations
strategies, as well as mentoring students.

Referees

Stewart Regan – Chief Executive Helen Goodwin – Head of News & Media
Yorkshire County Cricket Club Leeds Metropolitan University
T 0113 2033 604 T 0113 812 5935
E stewartregan@yorkshireccc.com E h.g.goodwin@leedsmet.ac.uk