Meet The Team
We are an award-wining PR agency known for our campaigns promoting non-fiction authors, coaches, entrepreneurs, speakers, consultants and other experts. As a team, our mission is to generate powerful, targeted publicity to ensure smart insights and thought-provoking, useful ideas are discovered, understood and shared.
But most of all, we're a friendly bunch of book-lovers who enjoy having positive, collaborative relationships with our clients. Behind every client there are at least two experienced publicists bringing their ideas, energy and media contacts to the campaign, so we are always available and working hard to surpass expectations.
Over the years, many clients have told us we feel like their 'in-house' team, and we take such pride in being proactive, responsive, open and helpful that we celebrate with genuine joy when we see our clients on TV, in newspapers or any other big media opportunity we have secured.
Emma Preece
Associate Director
After completing a Masters degree at UCL, Emma started her career at one of the UK's biggest publishing houses, where she got a taste for working with brilliant authors and experts through publicising Sunday Times and New York Times bestsellers. Emma joined The Book Publicist in 2018 and loves nothing more than giving authors a platform to talk about their books everywhere from the glossy lifestyle press to business and HR magazines, as well as broadcast and podcast media. When she is not managing campaigns Emma likes to spend her time diving into historical fiction and exploring historic houses and likes to unwind with a good run in the countryside or in a downward dog on her yoga mat. @HoltzEmma
Matt Davidson
Director
Matt is a Company Directors at The Book Publicist. He brings a wealth of experience from his marketing background, leading busy marketing teams across financial services, travel and sports industries. Matt loves the variety of inspirational authors he gets to meet - from World Cup winning footballers and all-time great cricketers to entrepreneurs who are changing the world. Matt is a proud Northerner and enjoys watching and playing football (not very well). @Startup_Matt
Jessica Jones
Senior Campaigns Manager
Jess loves working at The Book Publicist so much she's worked here twice! Jess first joined the team after completing her MSc in Computational Data Journalism and really excelled in her first PR role. She left us briefly to work in the press office at one of the most famous names in publishing, but returned with invaluable experience of launching fascinating books in major news outlets. Jess always seems to have active weekends planned, from English Civil War re-enactments to anything water related! @aJessicaJones
Jessica Haycox
Senior Campaigns Manager
Since studying a BA in Shakespearean literature and achieving a Master’s in Business Management, Jess has worked as a communications and marketing specialist. She has a natural talent for publicity and a finger on the pulse for all the latest trends, so clients love working with Jess not only for her unique wit but also her ability to deliver outstanding results. In her spare time Jess volunteers as a creative writing mentor, is a fountain of knowledge for pop culture references and is working towards a qualification in British Sign Language. @jessiehaycox
Ella Davidson
Founder
Ella is an esteemed book publicist with over 20 years’ experience and is passionate about non-fiction books. Her entrepreneurial spirit and keen understanding of the power of publicity led her to establish The Book Publicist in 2008. She had a clear vision: to create an honest, results-focused and ‘no fluff’ PR agency to enable talented authors and experts to share their brilliant ideas. Driven by her commitment to helping authors succeed, through her innovative strategies, tireless efforts, and with the help of an amazing team, Ella has grown the agency into a leading force in the industry. Today, The Book Publicist is an award-winning PR agency, renowned for its unparalleled expertise, client-centric approach, and exceptional results. When she is not working on her first ‘baby’ i.e. The Book Publicist, Ella is mum to three delightfully mucky boys and enjoys nothing more than countryside walks and hours of bedtime stories! @Book_Publicists
Amy Purnell
Senior Campaigns Manager
With a joint honours degree in English Literature and Media, Amy has worked in book publicity at a busy in-house publisher and for a PR agency in the space & technology industries. She LOVES the buzz of achieving great coverage and working with authors to really get their books seen. An avid adventurer, if she’s not baking, riding horses or walking her chocolate lab Ralph, Amy loves snorkelling and surfing at home in West Wales, even diving with whale sharks in the Philippines. @AmyHeighton1
Durga Bradley
Campaigns Director
Durga was one of the first team members to join The Book Publicist, and has been promoting non-fiction books for over a decade! She is a firm favourite with clients, and has excellent business and HR press contacts. Before entering the world of publicity Durga has worked as an art and English teacher and keeps her creative juices flowing in her studio painting or designing beautiful patterns. @BradleyDurga
Rhian Pearson
Associate Director
After gaining a degree in English Literature, Rhian has spent the last 28 years in PR & Comms, including 15 years at a busy London lifestyle PR agency managing campaigns for consumer brands like Mercedes and Cadbury. As Campaign Director at The Book Publicist since 2019, Rhian loves the buzz of really getting to know our authors and experts and sharing their unique ideas and compelling personal stories in the media. With two teenagers and a busy family schedule spending time in nature with her camera is a tonic for Rhian, and when she is not taking her gorgeous Labrador for walks in the hills she loves to read fiction and is a loyal member of her local book club. @RhianPearson1t. 01497 288018
e. info@thebookpublicist.co.uk
The Book Publicist
Cella Pegler Orchard
Dorstone
Herefordshire
HR3 6AW
