Trailblazers and leaders: Sope Soetan

Sope Soetan | Junior Publicist | The Outside Organisation

How did you get into comms?

 I got into communications after many unsuccessful attempts to find a full-time role as a music/culture journalist (I now do this as a freelance side gig which I far prefer). After realising that I may potentially have a flair for PR, I started interning at various agencies like LD Communications, W Communications and Whiteboard PR before landing my big break at Listen Up Music Promotions.

What does an average day look like?

It honestly varies. No one day is the same. There are in its essence some general duties, but it truly depends on the client, what their current profile is and whatever they’re looking to curate PR around. That’s one of the things I like about PR. It can be structured or totally unpredictable.

What advice would you give your 21-year-old self?

To not let your parents’ constant pressure to get out of retail overwhelm and get to you. 21 is still very young. I’d also stress that it is a massive blessing to at least have a lane and direction that you’ve always wanted to follow which was music.

What is the one thing you wish you’d known when you started working?

For some reason, I’m really struggling to come up with an answer. For now, I’ll say this. I wish I knew how tedious, stressful and sometimes boring it can be drafting press releases, strategies and plans. They’re obviously essential and key to what I do but I always dread doing them.

 What’s your greatest achievement to date?

 Hands down working on the campaign for Headie One’s debut album ‘Edna’. It is still surreal and crazy to me that I did PR for an album that actually went to No.1 on the UK Albums Chart. I’ve had the opportunity to work with some really prestigious publications and writers, all the while securing him covers with The Guardian and GQ Magazine.

But I also have to mention working with Rema. He’s doing such amazing things now. I’ll always love that I will be able to say that I was a part of the process that broke his career. My incredible former boss is looking after him on her own now and she’s killing it.

Is there a particular comms campaign that you’ve seen in your career that you didn’t work on but wish you had?

 So many! But off the top of my head I wish worked on the following projects: 

·         Jamila Woods – LEGACY! LEGACY!

·         Moses Sumney – grae

·         Beyonce – Lemonade

·         Moses Boyd – Dark Matter

·         Kelela – Take Me Apart

·         Blood Orange – Negro Swan

I really enjoyed seeing the various angles, stories and conversations that each of these album campaigns birthed. So rich, so niche and so edifying. All the looks made total sense and expanded conversation about black music and black artistry in distinctive ways.

I also really like the way the PR is done for the TV shows Insecure, Queen Sugar, Lovecraft Country and Atlanta. As well as movies like Moonlight and Black Panther.

What’s the key skill you think a successful communicator/publicist requires?

It sounds so obvious, but it is imperative that you’re a good quality COMMUNNICATOR!

PRs and publicists are the middle men and women between so many different individuals, figures and organisations. You need to be able to liaise well when speaking and when writing. Expertly communicating your ideas, messages and narratives.

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@sopesoetan