The Southampton Directory is published by The Southampton Directory Ltd, run by me, Melanie Tinson but with help from Julie Manley (administration), Mandy Wenman (design) and a team of over 100 distributors.
The character of a business is often defined by its owner so here’s a bit of information about me and I hope it explains my strengths in advertising and marketing.
I’m 48 and have lived in Chandlers Ford since 2005 after moving down from Edinburgh. I was fortunate to grow up in distant ends of the globe; Canada, Japan and South Africa (which explains my “odd” accent so I’m told!) before going to boarding school and then college in Edinburgh where I studied Secretarial Studies. I worked in London during my corporate career, mostly within IT companies but always in Marketing and Advertising. My most senior role was Marketing Communications Manager of Europe for EMC Systems which provided an alternative to IBM data storage. This involved everything from advertising design, campaign organisation, direct mail, customer events, pr, brochures etc. After leaving EMC to start a family, I enjoyed working from home providing ad hoc marketing consultancy to a variety of small, local businesses (from a toilet macerators to an occupational health service provider!).
In 1999, in Edinburgh, I went through the gruelling process of raising investment for a brainchild idea, Brochures Hotline which was to be a national web-based Lead Generation / Enquiry Service for the homeowner. I rode the wave of being seen as an up and coming entrepreneur in Edinburgh which was challenging. However, despite a good start, the business didn’t survive for a number of reasons – that’s what I call a learning curve and a half! I picked myself up, changed the business model completely and started again, wiser this time! This new business worked alright but after moving south again (thanks to my husband!) I fancied a change from an IT based business. I met Tania Houston who runs The Chandlers Ford Directory and decided that running a magazine was just up my street. I haven’t looked back since.
So, in a nutshell, I’ve worked in corporate business and for myself. I’ve launched a business, advised businesses, run a failed one and then a successful one so I have lots of experience and I understand the demands made on marketing managers and and the strain on resources on a self employed person. I’m a creative thinker and will also be honest with my advice on a campaign or an advert given to me to place. If I don’t think it will work, I will politely give you my opinion and how it can be improved. If you need help with an advert or don’t know where to start you don’t need to be afraid to ask for ideas and help. It’s what I enjoy most about this business.
In between publishing magazines I’m a busy wife to John, Mum and taxi driver to two lovely teenagers, dog walker to Dempsey and a Special Constable with Hampshire Constabulary in Winchester. I like to run, play squash, drink wine and have just joined Rockchoir which is great fun.
If you’d like advice on any aspect of advertising around the Southampton area I hope I can help you. And if you decide The Southampton Directory is not the right place for your business then I can probably recommend something that will.
I look forward to your call and learning about your business.