A Chat With: Robbie Lees at PRG Marketing Communications
By Donna Fielder and Sarah Cronk
Every month, we speak to people working in digital in and around Eastbourne. This month, we caught up with Robbie Lees, a digital marketer at PRG Marketing Communications, to find out about his career journey so far.
Chalk: Firstly, why have you chosen to go into digital marketing?
Robbie: “Coming out of college, all my friends went off to uni. I didn’t want to do that; I wanted to get straight into employment. When I was looking into options of how I could work and learn at the same time, I came across the digital marketing apprenticeship.
“When I was reading up on digital marketing, I discovered it involved a lot of tech and social media work, which I have been immersed in throughout my life. It’s something I really enjoy.
“I studied Drama, Business and English Literature at A-level, and then I started my apprenticeship with Creative Process Digital in September 2018, finishing in November 2019. It was brilliant. Looking back, I now feel blessed that I was able to learn in the world before COVID and I could go into the classroom.
“Friday was learning day, and then within 72 hours, I was applying what I had just learned. At school and college, we were always learning, learning, learning - but never doing. So this change of structure was very rewarding.”
When did you know that digital marketing was going to be your first chosen career path?
“When I found out what digital marketing was! The idea of social media management and how you could use it as a marketing tool, rather than just for personal use, really interested me and got me hooked. Even back at college, I had a photography Instagram account; I posted consecutively for 400 days.”
“Now I’m the in-house photographer for PRG and I manage social media channels for PRG and our clients.
“On my apprenticeship course, I learned about SEO, Google Ads, Pay Per Click as well as more traditional skills like blog writing and crafting news pieces. The collection of those things together made me realise: ‘this is what I want to be doing.’
“Digital marketing is always fresh and, even with more traditional techniques, there are always new tools you can use. Just a few weeks ago, I attended Brighton SEO and learned about all the latest tips and tricks and heard about the updates Google made just a couple of months ago.
“I love being able to jump into the analytics. For an e-shot or a website, for example, I can discover who read it, track the journey, and find out which pages are doing well. Then I can make changes based on real-life data.”
What came first for you: the love of marketing or your photography?
“I first picked up photography whilst I was doing my A-levels, but it was the love of photography that led me to a love of marketing.
“I don’t share so much of my own photography now, as I do a lot of that for PRG and my clients: I get the satisfaction of the real-world results that come from it. But I enjoy having a personal collection. I always take my camera out when going on walks.”
Do you feel you had access to the right training locally to be able to pursue your career?
“Definitely, in terms of not having to travel that far for it. It was just a short train ride away to Brighton where I was studying and working. Having that commute meant I had structure from the start, and I was kind of chucked in at the deep end after leaving college. It got me out of my Eastbourne bubble, but I could still come back here.
“That said, if there were more training opportunities in Eastbourne itself, that also would have been great. If the university could bring some more of their tech courses here, that would be ideal.”
You have a podcast - LetsTalkBHAFC - when did you start it and why?
“The podcast started before COVID. One of my friends has connections with Brighton and Hove Albion; he started it and invited me and some other friends to join. It’s now hosted by me and my friend Charlie. Charlie is studying Sports Journalism, so it’s great experience for him. I just do it because I enjoy it!
“We ramped it up during COVID, especially after games came back on. At one stage, we were doing three podcasts a week. It helped to give us structure and purpose. Now we have settled into one episode per week, where we discuss the game just gone and look ahead to the next one.
“The podcast resonates with everyone and makes me proud to be part of it. Last season, I was on Talk Sport Radio because of it and I was also on camera with BT Sport when we were watching games at home. We’ve had past players on the podcast too, which is amazing. It’s provided me with lots of exciting opportunities.
“I don’t even have any fancy equipment; it’s just me and my mate talking about football on Zoom.”
Have you tweaked the podcast format along the way?
“The podcast has gone through various tweaks and changes. Now, it’s the best it’s ever been. We sometimes add new segments, but phase them out if they don’t quite work. We keep in what we enjoy, as well as what works!
“We now have a weekly quiz segment, where listeners can play along at home. It helps to get our followers engaged.
“We market the podcast on socials, but that’s it really. The followers have just grown naturally as we have spread the word.”
How do you feel about Eastbourne as a place to live and work?
“I love Eastbourne. I’m born and bred in Eastbourne: I went to school here and now work here.
“As I’ve got older, I have appreciated it more - especially in lockdown, as it was possible to go for nice walks.
“I’ve been able to see the town evolve. As I’ve grown up, I’ve been able to see Eastbourne grow too.
“My commute to work is over the Downs and I never get bored of the views.”
If you had the power to make some changes to the town in order to attract more young people - and an unlimited budget! - what would you change?
“I would add a theme park! As I mentioned earlier, it would be great if there were more training opportunities locally.
“It would be great if there were more independent shops and local go-karting would be fun. Or a Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit…”
Do you have any hopes and dreams for the future?
“Most importantly, I want to continue loving what I do and continue being happy. It’s been a crazy few years, lacking purpose and with no structure. Now I feel quite spoilt, with a good social life, home life and a job I love. As long as I’m happy, I will continue on this path.”
What advice would you give to young people starting their careers?
“Don’t rush. I have never been one to say ‘in five years' time I want to be doing xyz’. There’s no point trying to figure out what you’ll be doing in five years if you don’t know what you are doing next week. You can take your time to sculpt out what you want to do. You don’t have to have it all sorted by the age of 21.”
