Celebrating 2020: 5 ‘impossible’ things I did this year

This is probably the most awkward thing I’ve ever written.  As a Black British woman of Jamaican and working-class heritage, self-celebratory posts like the one I’m about to write aren’t typically encouraged.   “Be careful of redeye!” (Jamaican slang for “Beware of jealous people!”) “No one likes a show-off!”  “It’s super-tacky to talk about yourself all … Continue reading Celebrating 2020: 5 ‘impossible’ things I did this year

6 effective ways to build a great mentoring relationship

What makes a good mentor? I’ve thought about this question a lot since I was asked to be a mentor on the 2020 BME PR Pros Mentoring Scheme. The scheme aims to increase ethnic diversity in the PR and communications industry, and I was paired with the awesome Corrine Lewis, a Senior Account Executive at … Continue reading 6 effective ways to build a great mentoring relationship

Change Communications: the GIF that keeps on giving

Change communications is tough. Foggy business plans; aloof/petrified senior leaders; hard-to-pin-down project plan; resistant employees (of all levels!) - us communicators brave/silly enough to work in change management have seen it all. And, for the most part, we love it (I know I do). But sometimes, the volatile and hectic nature of change environments can … Continue reading Change Communications: the GIF that keeps on giving

Jamaican Independence Day: 5 love letters from PR and media

Few things fill me with joy and pride like Jamaica. I wear my heritage like a badge of honour and for good reason. My island has it all: beautiful landscapes, a fascinating history; a diverse – and hilarious – population and one of the most influential cultures in the world. So today, I’m joining nearly … Continue reading Jamaican Independence Day: 5 love letters from PR and media

3 Ways to Keep Your Communications Super Simple

It's National Simplicity Day on Sunday (12 July); a day where people ditch the internet and life’s complications in favour of nature, calm and effortlessness. Simple doesn’t come easy for me. But if there’s one thing the current pandemic has taught me, it’s that there’s beauty in the basics. Everything else is just noise. National … Continue reading 3 Ways to Keep Your Communications Super Simple

7 meaningful ways you can support Black people today

What would you do if: You were in a meeting to discuss how to make your corporate magazine content more inclusive and the most senior person in the room – a white man – tells you he’s at risk of being a minority. Three of the seven people in the room are white men. You’re … Continue reading 7 meaningful ways you can support Black people today

The Black Women Making Things Happen In The UK Music Industry

You can guarantee at least two music debates to appear on Black British Twitter’s timeline almost every month: why the UK ‘failed’ certain homegrown black singers like Beverly Knight and Mischa B, and the industry’s apparent colourism issue. Far less discussed is the experience of Black British women working behind the industry scenes. I’m a … Continue reading The Black Women Making Things Happen In The UK Music Industry

My 5 fave songs turning 20 in 2020

With the coronavirus crisis in full swing, we all need something to smile about. Here’s my contribution… Ahh the Noughties! A time where low-rise jeans + whale tail = high fashion, Myspace and Microsoft messenger were the internet hotspots and shows like Big Brother, Pop Idol and Come Dine with Me had the nation gripped. … Continue reading My 5 fave songs turning 20 in 2020

3 feelings I felt while at my first Black Women in PR event

Last Thursday, I made my way to the London College of Communication to attend ‘Careers in Public Relations & Communications’, a panel and networking event aimed at anyone wanting to enter or progress in PR, comms and media relations. I was buzzed about going for 3 reasons: The panel and host were all Black women … Continue reading 3 feelings I felt while at my first Black Women in PR event

3 fields of psychology every comms person should explore

If you’d have told me when I graduated from my psychology degree course a decade ago that I’d be willingly writing about the topic, I’d have laughed my head off. It’s not that I didn’t like psychology – it fascinated me. I just didn’t like university much (a post for another day!). But here I … Continue reading 3 fields of psychology every comms person should explore

Privacy, Draggings & Fame: What It’s Like Having Over 10,000 Followers

My name is Annique Simpson, and I’m a Twitter addict. Seriously. Despite a busy ‘real’ life, I regularly find myself spending hours on the social media platform, checking my timeline for the latest gossip and memes, chatting with friends and posting random stuff. Not that many people see what I post. I’ve a modest following … Continue reading Privacy, Draggings & Fame: What It’s Like Having Over 10,000 Followers

VIDEO: My first talk on psychology and internal communications!

A few months ago, I was invited to speak at Leadership and internal communications: an essential partnership, the first global online conference by the fab H&H communications agency. It was my first time speaking at the conference and while I was very nervous, I was absolutely made up to be asked! Delivering a presentation applying … Continue reading VIDEO: My first talk on psychology and internal communications!