Anyez Lindop

Publicity Manager - Penguin Group Australia

Graduated in:

1999

Course completed:

Bachelor of Arts, majoring in philosophy and literature

Currently working for:

Penguin Group Australia

How long have you been working for this organisation?

3 - 4 years

Position title and short job description:

I am a Publicity Manager, which means I manage a team of seven publicists in Sydney and Melbourne who are responsible for planning, developing and implementing innovative and integrated publicity campaigns, liaising directly with media and booksellers around Australia to maximising exposure for Penguin books and authors.

Working highlight so far:

Working and touring with some incredibly inspiring and hard-working international and Australian authors such as Graeme Base, Robin Barker, Cathy Cassidy, Kaz Cooke, Dr Harry Cooper, Bryce Courtenay, Cecilia Dart-Thornton, Dick Francis, Andy Griffiths, Mem Fox, Melina Marchetta, Pankaj Mishra, Matthew Reilly, Meg Rosoff, Tim Winton, and Naomi Wolfe.

What are the things you enjoy most about your job?

Every day is different; the roles of a publicist within the publishing industry are many and varied; media coach, press officer, diplomat, confidante, nutritionist, stylist, entertainment director, porter, chauffeur, event coordinator, booking agency, and a non-stop around the clock personal assistant for authors on tour. From writing press releases, pitching books for review and authors for interview, scheduling media appointments, finalising functions, confirming travel arrangements; to liaising with authors, booksellers, media, publishers, sales reps and the public; and always, no matter how prepared, dealing with the X factor. Above all, being a publicist is a balancing act and the constant variety of working with so many people, on different levels, and in a myriad of situations, is all part of the thrill of being in this job.

An area in which you have needed assistance:

Keeping up with the incredible speed of changes happening across all media channels - especially online, over the last few years means constantly monitoring what's going on in the media whether I'm at home, on-line, in the car or at work, and identifying any potential opportunities for our authors.

What do you intend to do in the future?

Read all those books piled up on my bedside table, beside the bath, on the coffee table, in the hallway…

#1 tip for current students studying your course:

Find your element and pursue your passion - there's no point doing something that you don't enjoy, or that doesn't come easily to you. Oh, and respect a deadline. It might be easy to fudge an essay extension at Uni, but there are no extensions when you're investing in your career.