Alumni Profile
MAX HEPWORTH-POVEY
Max studied BA Management and Public Relations at Marjon, graduating in 2007. He now lives in Newquay and is the PR and Events Manager for Chew TV.
Why did you go on to higher education?
I have to achieve the personal goals I set myself and getting a degree was one of them. Becoming a trillionaire is next in the pipeline…
Why did you choose your degree subject?
OB out of Hollyoaks had just graduated with some sort of business degree. He seemed to be having a great time, so add that to the fact that I wasn’t enjoying my Product Design degree at Bournemouth Uni and have always taken naturally to managing tasks/people, I looked into a few courses around the country, heard great things about Marjon and went for it.
Also, I have always wanted to run my own company so I gathered that learning from the management side of the course would help with logistical things and the promotional and reputation management skills from the PR part seemed like a perfect combination.
Best things about university
- Meeting loads of new people
- Great nudge into independence
- Casual but practical nature of learning
- Marjon had a specifically amazing nightlife and great community atmosphere
- Disposable Income!
- Relaxed days
Worst things about university
- Some of the people you won’t like – they’re around for three years!
- Being so lame at fending for yourself, resulting in a staple diet of cereal for all meals (or plain pasta with butter like my old housemate!)
- Very grown up compared to school/college – YOU actually have to go out and do the work YOURSELF. Lectures are just guidance into what you should be reading!
- Spending your disposable income too fast. For example; on a human size catapult (same housemate)
- Extremely stressful all-night sessions writing essays
Describe your current role
I am the PR and Events Manager for Chew TV. I’m based at Excess Energy Communications in Newquay and at the Chew TV Headquarters at University College Falmouth, Tremough Campus. I basically run the press office on a day to day basis which includes writing and sending out various press releases. I’ve developed the whole brand guidelines for Chew TV to ensure our branding is communicated effectively and consistently by all external and internal partners. I’ve created numerous Chew TV marketing tools, write the e-magazine, handle the social networking sites and blogs, make initial contacts with organizations creating links and getting content for the channel, write and manage to PR proposals for external clients e.g. channels like hollaboxx (including Cornwall County Council), Ideas That Can Change The World, o-region screening network etc, hold PR workshops for young people at film festivals, choose and manage events for Chew TV to have a presence at.
Basically, my days are packed and it is hard work, but I love it and am delighted to be such an integral part of the Chew TV team.
How did your time at Marjon help your career?
After getting a taster of practical PR by hosting events at university, I pretty much instantly realised that public relations was the career route for me. I learned how to write press releases, PR proposals and have gained confidence when dealing with ‘authoritative figures’ in society. It also taught me to ask - If you don’t ask you don’t get!
My lecturer, Bob Pilbeam, literally helped me with my career as he pointed the job out to me. Cheers Bobby P!
What’s the professional achievement you’ve been most proud of since graduating?
When I received a short but personal thank you that went along the lines of; “Cheers for giving me this opportunity bud, it was amazing meeting Tim Campbell and being interviewed by BBC and that, this literally couldn’t have happened without you” after organizing for a young entrepreneur who works part-time for Chew TV to meet with Apprentice winner Tim Campbell at the extremely posh Microsoft Head office in London to discuss his brainchild; The Chew Chat Table.
What personal achievement are you most proud of?
Being promoted to Manager whilst staying in a part of the country I love.
Also, getting a “yeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaahhhhh” from an authoritative figure in the surfing world, whilst taking off on a ridiculous wave at Uluwatu in Bali, Indonesia. The wave did close out resulting in a tasty scar on my back but it was worth it for the several seconds of heroism.
What are your main hobbies or interests?
It’s so cliché’ being a Newquay boy but I spend most of my spare time surfing or socializing with a great group of friends as well as my family.
What are your plans for the next few years?
Take Chew TV to the next level! I want to be a part of the success that is just around the corner for the communication channel for a connected generation. www.chewtv.com
Also to make the most of ‘the credit crunch’ that every one seems to be going on about and buy a house.
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