Becky Mullen, account director at Bastion, talks about her path to the gaming industry, what makes good PR and the skills needed to grow her career
What is your job role and how would you describe your typical working day?
I am an account director at Bastion, the video game communications agency. Being an account director means that I am a leading PR of several clients and part of the top leadership team of the agency. My clients are a mix of video game publishers, developers, platform vendors and non-gaming brands that want to break into the industry.
A typical workday includes many conversations – conversations with clients, prospective clients, media, partners and advice on communication strategy. So, a lot of talking and thinking!
I also always talk to the Bastion team. They’re a really talented band, so I’m basically there to help them be successful and do their best.
What qualifications and / or experience do you need to get this job?
You don’t need any qualifications to be good at PR. You learn a lot at work. For beginners, it is more important to have a few key skills such as organization, presentation and curiosity. Soft skills for people are also very important for customers, media and working with your team!
I got my first PR job at another Weber Shandwick agency, where I worked on B2B clients. Basically, I wanted to participate in video games, but there were no roles available – so I focused on the next best thing. This gave me the basic PR skills I needed to move to Bastion as an account manager in 2017 and I haven’t looked back since!
If you were interviewing someone for your team, what would you look for?
Enthusiasm is essential. PR can be a difficult task, so it is important for candidates to know what they are doing and to be ready for the challenge.
You also need to be interested in the media, how they work and think about what stories are covered. These critical thinking skills help you move up the PR ladder. Being a good PR actually means building that knowledge and advising what will / won’t work, not just blasting things.
We are also looking for people who are smart and willing to learn. Good writing and other content skills are bonuses! Obviously, interest in games is also important.
What opportunities are there for career development?
As a rule, PR agencies are a really good environment for career development. People who are ambitious and embark on new challenges can move forward very quickly.
Bastion has been growing for some time, so we regularly accept new clients and projects. This means that there are many opportunities for people to take on higher responsibilities if they want to.
Most of the Bastion team follow the standard path between the CEO of the account, the account manager and the account director. But we also have specialists who are experts in influencer campaigns and marketing. There is something to grow with us, depending on your skills and desire.
