Behind the Headlines with Allison+Partners’ Jim Selman

Jim Selman, London MD at Allison+Partners, on starting off his PR career in LA, what his first boss got so wrong and youthful dreams of becoming a fireman.

 

Before I reach the office in the morning, I’ve already…
Hung out with my wife and son, checked my emails and news feeds.

You’ll mostly find emails about…in my inbox.
Pretty much anything. From new business pitches, new contracts and new hires to new furniture!

I know I’ve had a good day if…
Everybody goes home happy.

My first job was…
At age 11 during the summer holidays, I used to wash cars and walk dogs near where I lived. There was good money in pet and car care! My first job in the industry was in the mailroom as a workie at Rogers & Cowan in LA.

I can tell a campaign is succeeding when…
It goes far beyond even what we had hoped, and when the client begins talking about the next one.

I eat…when nobody is watching.
French mustard on pickled cucumber. It is so good!

The first time I pitched to a journalist…
Was on my first day on the job at Rogers & Cowan. I called to sell in a story and the journalist slammed the phone down on me. I learned a lot that day!

The worst thing anyone has said to me is…
When my first boss told me I didn’t have a future in PR.

The last book I read was…
Groundswell by Charlene Li and Josh Bernoff.

I’ve never really understood why…
People are scared of change.

If I could go back and talk to my 10-year-old self, I’d say…
“Don’t worry about wanting to be a fireman, PR will suit you just fine!”

This time next year, I’ll be…
Toasting continued growth with an even bigger team of talented colleagues.