Luke O’Donoughue | Two months in blog
Luke O’Donoughue joined the Font Comms team as an account executive in September 2024. Two months in, he wanted to share his experience of joining the business.
My first couple of months working at Font Communications have been great. It’s been an interesting introduction to the work the company does, filled with plenty of insights and valuable lessons.
Like many who start at a new company, I didn't particularly know what to expect, besides the fact I'd be working on some high-profile projects. I've really hit the ground running though, learning to juggle work across clients and projects spanning the property, regeneration and net-zero sectors. Font's portfolio is brimming with dynamic projects, from regenerating local areas like Prestwich Village, to driving the national conversation on hydrogen and decarbonisation. However, what I didn’t anticipate was just how much I’d be able to contribute from day one, nor how diverse the tasks I’d find myself doing would be.
One of the biggest surprises has been the scope of the work Font carries out. From the get-go, I was trusted with carrying out research for proposals, working on social media graphics for a client and drafting press releases and blog posts. While it pushed me out of my comfort zone a bit, it also highlighted to me, the agency’s collaborative spirit. I never felt that I was left to figure things out alone — with a special shoutout to Nicky who has always been on hand for guidance. The team has been so welcoming, and Font's values have shone through everything.
So far, the biggest learning curve hasn’t just been in mastering the technical aspects of strategic communications, but also in understanding the unique nature of stakeholder engagement. Whether liaising with local authorities or crafting messaging that resonates with communities, it’s clear that Font’s strength lies in knowing how to find the right balance and tone of voice to communicate with everyone. It is this balancing act that I’ve quickly come to appreciate, especially when working on important regeneration projects that are breathing life into tricky urban sites.
Overall, my first few months have exceeded my expectations in all the right ways. Font Communications offers a friendly and dedicated working environment with plenty of opportunities to learn — there’s no such thing as being a passive observer here, as one of our values states, 'We don't sit still'. I’ve already learnt so much by helping the team, and contributing to campaigns that are shaping impactful, real-life projects. If this is just the beginning, I can’t wait to see what the future brings.