About
About me
I'm a marketer turned designer (content/user experience, not graphics) with a passion for research. The skills in my varied careers fall under the umbrella of communications. I think the formal term is multipotentialite
My origin story
I came across this text-heavy ‘thing’ called the world wide web back in 1996 when I was a research fellow looking at the internationalisation of indigenous Irish software companies. Talk about light bulb moment, I packed up my desk and joined one of Ireland’s first web design agencies and have stayed in the industry since. I’ve been through the dotcom bubble and burst, the portals, vertical exchanges, the rise of Web 2.0 and more recently SaaS and I’m still here.
My Skills
Everything begins with research, it allows us to make informed decisions and tell authentic stories. Highly computer literate and I never worry about new software, it’s a bit like riding a bike.
Experience
2014-present
Contenta
Freelancer
I am typically hired to build, manage or advise on website projects from a business analysis/UX and marketing point of view. Other projects include research (qualitative and quantitative), content auditing and curation and developing quality collateral (case studies, white papers). I also help clients with PR and speaking opportunities by interviewing them and then ghostwriting pitches, articles, speeches and presentations.
2010-2021
Sonru
Employee #4. Head of Research
I led the Sonru Knowledge Hub which published objective case studies, white papers and research that firmly established Sonru’s credibility and the validity of asynchronous video interviewing. Initially, I was Sonru’s Marketing & Communications Manager (2010 – 2012) where I was responsible for all communications (PR, web content, marketing/sales messaging, reseller materials, video/tutorial scripts). Having established Sonru’s awareness, brand / tone of voice, my skills were better deployed in developing, what is now, a huge body of knowledge on a disruptive and hitherto undocumented process. Sonru was acquired by Modern Hire in 2020.
2009-present
Various
Mentor
I mentor a wide range of clients, mainly from tech/web sectors but also help bricks and mortar companies with their online presence. I am a mentor with Wexford LEO, Ballyfermot Chapelizod Partnership, Dublin North West Area Partnership, Northside Partnership, Dublin City Community Co-op, Empower, Dublin South City Partnership, and Not So Different.
1996-2010
Various
other work
Co-founder / Marketing & Operations Director, Flexitimers; Lecturer / Course Director, Faculty of Business, TU Dublin; Online Marketing Manager, IngredientsNet.com, (Fyffes/Glanbia JV); Senior Researcher, Catalyst Marketing Communications; Account Director, Campaign HDTS; Dublin (A/C manager of vertical portal); Marketing Director, Newmedia.ie (one of Ireland’s first web design agencies); Research Fellow, Faculty of Business, TU Dublin
My Qualifications
FYI I have something of a compulsive learning disorder in that I’m always reading, browsing or studying. I’m hugely interested research and have just completed a Certificate in Data Visualisation, it’s amazing how visualisation can bring turgid data to life. I’m a bit of a sucker for online master classes and occasionally pop into apps to reacquaint myself with languages I spoke quite well back in the day.
Some personal
My interests
All work and no play makes Joy a dull girl. When not at the desk, I am out in nature or consuming culture.
I’m a bit of a beach nut and am big into open water swimming. Last summer, I refreshed my Lifeguarding Certs after 30+ years. I have done Reiki Degree 1 and am also experimenting with printmaking in Gorey School of Art. I write every so often and have had a few short plays performed on stage and on radio. Other than that I enjoy theatre, cinema, travel, reading, art, hiking, languages, cooking, and am still talking about starting a podcast.