In a new series of profiles we look at the latest winners of News UK Commercial’s quarterly News Maker awards. This week it’s Business Development Manager, Curtis Reed, winner of the Rising Star Award.

In a sentence: tell us what you do at News UK?

I work within the commercial team for our national radio brands as a Business Development Manager looking after IPG and Publicis.

Lay a bit more detail on that – what’s a typical day?

My day usually starts with a team meeting or a catch up with my manager where we discuss what happened the day prior including bookings, briefs, productive meetings etc and then we talk through the plan of action for the day ahead such as campaigns to plan/book, who to speak to and chase on briefs. We may spend some time looking at monthly/quarterly figures to see where we are currently booked vs target.

Then I will plan campaigns and book campaigns from my agencies, work through outstanding briefs and create proposals/decks for my clients, attend client meetings that I have on that day and make calls to my agencies to arrange new meetings or discuss new opportunities across our national radio stations.

Each Monday I create a checklist of what I need to do that week so thankfully that keeps me fairly organised.

Without blushing – tell us what makes you passionate and purposeful in doing what you do?

I enjoy the fast paced environment of sales. I like getting out there and meeting agencies and clients. I’m also a big sports fan and avid talkSPORT listener so I’m passionate about what I am selling which makes a real difference when speaking to agencies as they can see the enthusiasm I have.

What are the biggest challenges you have faced in your new role?

When I joined, I faced two big challenges. One being that I joined in the middle of a pandemic which made it very difficult to hit the ground running as I wasn’t in the office to meet key people across the commercial team and learn what I needed face-to-face. Think it was a few months before I met the commercial department outside of my team. I also wasn’t able to meet agencies face-to-face and build those relationships like before so it made unlocking new brands and making revenue across my agency patch that bit more difficult.

The second challenge was that I had to learn the audio market which was new to me having previously worked across the print and digital market.

Why is mentoring so important to you?

I have always received really good guidance in the roles I have been in so I am keen to do the same for the next generation coming through who are keen to learn. The News UK apprenticeship scheme is a great platform for us to do this and I’m proud to be a part of it. It has also helped me develop my management skills which is great as I’m looking to make that next step in my career.

Who inspires you the most within and outside of News UK?

As much as I don’t want to boost his ego, my manager George Mardle has always inspired me to be better at my job. George employed me in my first media sales role at Bauer eight years ago and has taken me on again at News. I have learnt a lot from George and he has always pushed me and challenged me in order to improve my output whether that’s to be more proactive, be more creative or overcoming problems in order for us to service our clients in the best way possible.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

I think it’s important to take advantage of the knowledge and expertise that your colleagues have. Don’t be afraid to ask for guidance as there are so many people around you who are willing to help. Sometimes the best thing to do is sit back and take what your colleagues are saying and not force the issue yourself because you feel under pressure to impress. I bothered a lot of people in the first few months as I was new to audio and the company. No one will begrudge you asking questions.

And a word from George Mardle, Head of Business Development Wireless Group, Curtis’s manager…

What makes Curtis a worthy News Makers Rising Star?

Curtis started nine months ago and in that time he has immersed himself within the radio portfolio as well as the wider News UK business. He’s not only become a ‘go to’ person on my team but also across his wider peer group. He’s keen to push himself, hence taking on a larger agency patch over a short period whilst maintaining his every day patch. He also put himself forward to mentor the apprentices as part of the new News UK apprentice scheme.

Just to make him squirm – what three qualities make him so good at what he does?