Well, that’s a wrap! After 12 rewarding, challenging and fast months, my placement year at Brandwave has officially come to an end.
It’s hard to believe just a year ago, I stepped into a buzzing office with no agency background and absolutely no idea what to expect. Fast forward to today, and I’m leaving with skills I’ll carry throughout my career, having worked across multiple projects that I’ll be proud of for years to come.
From the start, it was a steep learning curve – new faces, new tools, and what felt like an endless amount of acronyms I’d never heard of. Before I knew it I was taking on more responsibility, shaping campaign strategies and jumping headfirst into so many exciting projects.
It’s been an absolute whirlwind, and here are just a few of the highlights from the past year.
I’ve had the chance to contribute across all of Brandwave’s core service areas – from strategy and digital to PR, events, and activations. I worked on major global projects for brands like Silva & Primus, Merrell, FLYTEC, and Snowcard, as well as our long-standing charity partner, the Youth Adventure Trust. Every brief came with its own set of challenges and brought something new to learn, pushing me to grow creatively and professionally.
GO Outdoors KUDOS Run: This was my first taste of what goes into running a large-scale event, and it was an incredible learning opportunity. We hosted a high-energy in-store activation at GO Outdoors’ York store, with over 250 runners joining us to launch the new KUDOS Run department and build a Strava community. The event, which supported the Brownlee Foundation, featured none other than Olympic triathlete Jonny Brownlee and presenter Helen Skelton. From managing logistics to supporting the team on the day, it was an adrenaline-packed experience I’ll never forget.
Bahrain Surf Park: Working on this project will undoubtedly be a career highlight for me for many years to come. Being involved at such an early stage of the project allowed me to gain hands-on experience in copywriting, web content, creative concepts, strategy workshops, and so much more. One of the most surreal moments was introducing the project to the Ministers of Tourism for Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Not something I expected to tick off in my placement year!
Kendal Mountain Festival: A standout for so many reasons. From quiz wins and client activations to pizza parties and staying in a huge house with team members, clients, and friends of Brandwave. This was team bonding at its best. Set against the backdrop of the Lake District, it was the perfect blend of work and play.
Team activity days: From paddleboard safaris and rounders games, to volleyball tournaments and netball matches – these moments of getting out and enjoying the sports we love have been a huge highlight for me, offering me the chance to connect with the team and embrace the special Brandwave culture.
This year has been full-on, in the best way, and I know that I’m walking away far more prepared for whatever comes next. My next stop is a summer of travelling, starting with an island hopping trip to Greece. Then, it’s back to Bournemouth University to complete the final year of my Sports Management degree. Thanks to everything I’ve learned this year, I’m sure I’ll be hitting the ground running.
So that’s me signing off – for now! A huge thank you to the entire Brandwave team for welcoming me in, supporting me at the very beginning of my career, and giving me the space (and patience!) to learn on the job and gain invaluable hands-on experience. I genuinely couldn’t have asked for more from this experience and feel very lucky to have been given the opportunity.
