KETCHUM UK'S INCLUSION COUNCIL 'SPOTLIGHT SERIES' WITH GRADI DODO

Ketchum UK’s Inclusion Council returns with another ‘Spotlight Series’, this month featuring Gradi Dodo, Corporate Account Manager, who sheds light on his role at Ketchum and what inspires him.

1. Describe your role in five words or less

It’s all about the storytelling

2. In a sentence, tell us about your career to date

Rigorous but fun – I learned through doing and being thrown in the deep end but had amazing mentors and colleagues who taught me everything I know.

3. What energises you most about your role at Ketchum?

When I get briefed on a new piece of technology that I need to research deeply to figure out how to make it into a story that will interest people. Storytelling is my passion so the more complex the technology, the more fun it is to tell the story.

4. What skill(s) are you building right now?

I’m building my leadership skills and how to build effective processes. I’m really good at creative ideation, but execution is something I’m working to improve.

5. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?

My pastor once told me that “if you want to walk with God, you have to learn how to embrace his forgiveness”. Sometimes it can be easy to be overly hard on yourself and count your losses more than your successes. Perfection is an unreachable goal, but progress is something you get to enjoy every day. So, I’ve learned not to get too down about my mistakes but instead, to ask for forgiveness and keep pushing to be better.

6. What are you most looking forward to in the future for our sector?

Clients are savvier and more knowledgeable about media relations than ever, which puts more pressure on us to know our stuff and come up with truly beneficial insights and media know-how. I’ve always looked at PR specialists as magicians who find a way to get coverage even in the worst situations. I believe that if we want to inject excitement and wonder back into our client relationships regarding media relations, we need to fall back in love with figuring out why our clients do what they do, and pushing them to tell stories that showcase the power of the ‘why?’.

7. Who or what inspires you?

Sera Holland (UK CEO) and Janita Lakhanpal (Business Development Director & Chair of the Inclusion Council) inspire me, because they represent two things that I believe are essential. The love of craft and the love of people. Sera is a powerhouse (we all know that). But what I love about Sera is that she can still geek about the details of a story, and she still gets excited about the process. She inspires people because she’s so inspired herself. Janita is the definition of people-first! She cares more about people than she cares about getting credit and the fruits show not only in Ketchum’s Inclusion Council, but in the droves of people who are genuinely better from knowing her. These two show me how having a love and passion for people and craft can take you anywhere.

8. Three reasons to consider a career in comms.

1. 1. You don’t need any qualifications to get in.
   2. You can genuinely make your career into anything you want it to be.
   3. You will meet people from all walks of life and can learn just about anything from the clients you work with.

9. What can the sector do to encourage diversity?

Mentorship, teaching & learning culture and letting people be comfortable with failing. Nobody starts fully polished and people who come from different backgrounds and life experiences can often have different perspectives that the industry might not be used to. That’s why talent needs to be nurtured, and people need to be raised to their full potential. This takes mentorship, a teaching & learning culture and letting people be comfortable with failure and inspiring them to keep moving forward.

10. When I’m not at my desk you’ll find me…

Either reading my bible, praying or at church. I also get the privilege of helping people in their walk with Christ so sometimes I speak with them and encourage them to stay strong in their faith.