A weekly newspaper stalwart who retired at Christmas after 40 years in the trade has gone back to work – as a PR man.

Wiltshire Times deputy editor Keith Gale called time on his 46-year career in newspapers last December.

But following a three-month break, he has now gone back to work, joining his partner Pauline Bucknall in her public relations, marketing and design company, PR Plus Media.

“After working in newspapers for more than 40 years I began missing contact with people, missing the buzz of the newsroom and deadlines and our PR company has opened up a new opportunity for me,” said Keith.

“Pauline is a former advertisement manager with experience in marketing and with my journalism background it seemed sensible to combine our knowledge and resources.

“Some might say it’s not the ideal time for me to start a new venture but Pauline has been running her business successfully for ten years so we have a solid base.

“Companies are taking a fresh look at how they run their businesses which is exactly what we have done with a new branding of PRPlus Media, a new corporate image and a new website, www.prplusmedia.com.”

Keith, 63, who has worked on papers in London, Bedfordshire and East Sussex and was a journalism tutor with Westminster Press before moving to the Wiltshire Times, said: “Anyone who thinks PR is an easy option is mistaken. It takes a lot of hard work but it keeps my grey cells active thinking up new initiatives. It can be really good fun.

“Most successful large organisations have their own PR and marketing staff but smaller businesses are now taking a long, hard look at the most cost-effective way of promoting their products and services and are beginning to realise the advantages of good PR if the price is right.”

Comments

Alan Salter (29/04/2009 09:42:54)
Good to see an old hack showing that age and experience is worth putting to work. Good luck!

Vivienne DuBourdieu, MCIJ (29/04/2009 12:46:51)
Encouraging move, Keith. Good on you. Your combination of journalistic experience and well-thought out world views, should prove highly acceptable to media around the country.