“I’m thrilled to receive this recognition from Edinburgh Napier University. Throughout my studies at Edinburgh Napier the useful learning element really appealed to me; I picked up practical skills and enjoyed working on real life client scenarios, much like my current role running an agency. We’re also fortunate to now have Edinburgh Napier University as a client, and I have team members who are ENU graduates, so it all feels like it has come full circle!”
Nathalie Agnew studied BA Communication Arts, graduating in 2005. During her studies, the PR aspect of her degree particularly interested her, and she secured a trainee job in London with global PR agency Porter Novelli. Porter Novelli is part of Omnicom, one of the world’s largest communications groups. At Porter Novelli, Nathalie learnt her trade, building up experience with clients including Hewlett-Packard and British Airways. Initially specialising in technology PR, Nathalie later built out her experience as a generalist PR adviser, with particular interests in strategic communications, crisis management and media relations.
After eight years in London, Nathalie wanted to move back to the Highlands of Scotland but could not find a suitable (or exciting enough!) role, so she decided to start her own agency. In 2012 Muckle Media was launched in Dingwall. Since then, the agency has grown to a team of more than twenty staff across offices in Edinburgh, Inverness, Glasgow and Aberdeen. Much of the agency’s growth has been organic, but two competitive agencies have also been acquired – community engagement agency Platform PR in 2015 and food and drink specialist agency Taste Communications in 2022.
The team now work with some of Scotland’s top brands and have won the industry’s top awards, including the PRCA DARE Large Consultancy of the Year award in 2022 and the CIPR’s Large Consultancy of the Year award. Nathalie also led the team to become Scotland’s first PR agency to secure B-Corp status earlier this year.
What advice would you give to our graduating students as they embark on their career journeys?
“Get as much practical work experience as you possibly can, whether that’s university projects or internships, or even volunteering in your own community or interest areas. Candidates who really stand out to us are those that can understand the commercials of a business and what their role means to the bigger picture, whilst also thinking about their purpose and that of the business. There are challenging times out there at the moment, but the jobs market feels buoyant, so look for an employer that offers clear career progression and looks after its team.”