Welcome to the Telum Spotlight, a quick insight into some of the interesting people in the PR and Communications space, as well as freelancers and those launching their own boutique agencies. Today we shine the Spotlight on Carley Angel in Perth. Carley transitioned into the comms space, launching her PR and media consultancy, snack PR, following 15 years in radio and television.

By way of introduction:
I launched snack PR in 2023 after 15 years in high level radio and television production roles. As a Chief of Staff and Executive Producer, I have seen the successes and failures of communications brands firsthand. I’m excited to bring that knowledge to the other side, giving small businesses unique access to the contacts and knowledge they need to achieve their media goals.

First job:
My first job in media was as a breakfast radio producer. My alarm went off at 2:30am for five years and I drank more coffee than water. This job gave me a great understanding of talkback radio and the skills to connect with people from all walks of life.

One thing you would change about the communications industry:
I’d like to see more emphasis on connection and less emphasis on press releases. Reporters are so busy that they rely on communications professionals to deliver them reliable, clear and concise material. Ideally that material is specifically suited to their audience and style. I put very little value in a bulk press release sent to multiple media agencies.

Most admired person in comms:
A former colleague who taught me so much about attention to detail and the power of words was David Cooper, current Media Director for the WA Premier.

I’ve also appreciated support from Lisa Barnes at Profile Media and Jamie Burnett at Hook Line Media in my transition to PR. Both Lisa and Jamie are former journalists who I’ve known and worked with for over a decade. I have always greatly admired their work ethic in newsrooms and now appreciate and value their feedback as fellow communications experts.

Most admired journalist: 
I am very biased after nine years in the Seven Newsroom. Geof Parry, Chris Reason and their cameraman Simon Hydzik’s coverage of the first 10 weeks of the Ukraine war was absolutely phenomenal. The destruction, despair and human spirit they were able to record brought audiences in Australia an understanding of life on the ground that would otherwise have gone untold.

Advice to anyone starting out in comms:
Be contactable. Give out your mobile number willingly and eagerly if you want to be front of mind for a potential story. Also, there’s no such thing as a public holiday in news. If reporters are working - you’re working too.

Essential daily reading:
I’ll read as many of the online papers as I have time for, but I’ll always make the effort to sit down with a hard copy of the West Australian. There’s something nostalgic for me about getting the paper out of the driveway in the morning and unrolling it.

Favourite book:
Books are a bit of an escape and a wind down for me, so I mostly love crime thrillers and murder mysteries. Shoe Dog, the memoir of Nike co-founder Phil Knight is still one of the best books I’ve ever read in terms of inspiration, resilience and innovation.

Favourite film:
I don’t think I would have been to a cinema in five years, so I would be terrible at a movie quiz night. I think short series have become the new movies, so I’m partial to a Netflix binge. I’ve never watched a Formula 1 Race, but I couldn’t get enough of Drive to Survive. As a TV Producer I had so much respect for the production style.

Dream holiday:
The thought of taking two toddlers on any kind of overseas flight is terrifying to me, so I’m loving exploring WA. Rottnest and Broome are incredibly beautiful, with safe and clean beaches for kids.

Clickbait fact about you:
I moved out of home when I was 17 to a state I’d never visited and where I didn’t know a single person. It helped me become resourceful and independent from a very early age.

In the clickbait version of this story I’m a delinquent on the run, not heading to university on a scholarship which is the less salacious reality.

Quotable you:
"Pick up the phone."

I’m all about getting things done efficiently so waiting around for an email reply, then a reply to the reply really does my head in. I’ll always choose the option that’s going to get something sorted quicker.