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Roisin Donnelly: My Life in Media - Independent Online Edition > Media

Roisin Donnelly: My Life in Media

'I am not a natural with foreign languages. I was "mugged" by a taxi driver in Poland and had to negotiate to get my handbag and passport back'

Published: 30 April 2007

Roisin Donnelly, 45, is corporate marketing director and head of marketing for Procter & Gamble UK & Ireland, the largest advertiser on UK television. She has the responsibility for marketing all of P&G's consumer brands. She was nominated in the Marketing Society's Marketer of the Year Awards 2006 and was named FMCG Marketing Employer of the Year. She is on the board of Cosmetic Executive Women and a school governor. She studied and debated alongside the likes of Charles Kennedy and Liam Fox at Glasgow University, where she ran the commercial interests of the Students' Union. She lives in Weybridge, Surrey, with her husband Robert and three daughters.

So what inspired you to embark on a career in the media?

I had part-time jobs in the media while I was at school and university - writing for the local newspaper, working in the local cinema and doing promotions at Radio Clyde. For me, marketing seemed to be the perfect combination of business and creative.

When you were 15 years old, which newspaper did your family get, and did you read it?

The Glasgow Herald, Evening Times, The Sunday Times, The Observer and Sunday Mail. I read everything.

And what were your favourite TV and radio programmes?

Big period dramas, Tomorrow's World and Top of the Pops on TV and Today on Radio 4.

Describe your job

Developing brands, developing people and constantly innovating to stay ahead of the competition.

What media do you turn to first thing in the morning?

My daughters and husband give early-morning insights on the world. I read The Times which is delivered and listen to Nick Ferrari on LBC or Today on Radio 4 on the way to the office.

Do you consult any media sources during the working day?

Yes, I get local breaking news from ft.com by text and global news from cnn.com by email. I visit bbc.com and timesonline.co.uk as well as a lot of emerging websites and blogs. I read a lot of consumer and industry press.

What is the best thing about your job?

The people. P&G people are exceptional leaders and thinkers. I work with an incredible team of people and some of the best agencies and media partners in the world. I have 18 different nationalities in my department and the diversity helps to generate innovation.

And the worst?

My working day is just never long enough to get everything done.

How do you feel you influence the media?

As the biggest advertiser, we need really to understand British consumers and how they are changing and ensure our media plans are evolving with them. We are combining media to driving innovation by using traditional media in new ways, such as sponsorship and interactive TV, as well as using new media in relevant ways.

What's the proudest achievement in your working life?

Launching my first new brand, Wash & Go, to market leadership and then launching Pantene to succeed it as market leader. This year has been great with 10 Product of the Year Awards all voted by the consumers as well as being nominated as Marketer of the Year by the industry.

And what's your most embarrassing moment?

I am not a natural with foreign languages so I have had challenges travelling on business. I was "mugged" by a taxi driver in Poland and had to negotiate to get my handbag and passport back.

At home, what do you tune in to?

I still love period dramas, as well as contemporary British drama. Spooks and Hustle are great. I like US dramas - The West Wing, Without a Trace and Desperate Housewives, which we sponsor with our Herbal Essences brand. My Name Is Earl was so funny; I was convinced it had to be British!

What is your Sunday paper? And do you have a favourite magazine?

I still read The Sunday Times. I am a magazine addict and never miss Marie Claire, Glamour, Vogue and OK!.

Name the one career ambition you want to realise before you retire

For P&G (and me) to understand men as well as we understand women.

If you didn't work in the media what would you do?

If I did not work on the business side of the industry, I would be a writer - travel journalism, fiction or comedy.

Who in the media do you most admire and why?

I love people who start a campaign they really believe in and get the public involved: Jamie Oliver on school dinners and Bill Oddie on Springwatch. Both leverage all media from TV to word of mouth.

The CV

1989: Marketing manager, Haircare UK & Western Europe, Procter & Gamble

1991 Marketing manager, UK & Ireland for cosmetics and fragrances

1992 Marketing director of UK cosmetics and fragrances division

1994: Marketing director of cosmetics and male toiletries for Western Europe, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa

1996: Marketing director of the fine fragrance division for North and South America

2000: UK & Ireland corporate marketing director and head of marketing

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