Kelly O'Hanlon

Biography

I’m Course Director for the MA Public Relations course and a Senior Lecturer in the Department of English and Media and have been an academic at BCU since 2016.

Expertise

I have worked in PR since 2005 and have experience as a PR Director, working across a variety of consumer and B2B accounts, with a particular specialism in the home and lifestyle arena. I have conceived, planned, and conducted creative campaigns promoting everything from Danish pastries, kitchens and cookware to bedrooms, bathrooms and flooring, composite wood panels and other building products. I’m an accredited practitioner and Midlands committee member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. I have been a media commentator for BCU on a variety of PR, brand, reputation, and social media topics, and interviewed by various radio and television programmes, including a talking head role as a 'PR expert' on Channel 5's Greatest Christmas Ads Ever programme in 2023. I have also contributed to the 12th global edition of Public Relations: Strategies and Tactics (2025, Wilcox et al) textbook.

Journey to BCU

I studied at BCU myself, three times in fact; first a BA in Media and Communications, followed by my PGCE in Higher Education, then MA Public Relations. When I graduated from my BA in 2005, I joined WPR Agency, one of the largest agencies outside of London, as a graduate account executive. I rose through the ranks over almost 11 years, leaving my position as head of the home and lifestyle consumer team to join One Black Bear as PR Director, establishing a PR division within this established full-service agency. I was shortlisted in 2009 for CIPR Young Professional of The Year and have worked on some award-winning and memorable campaigns over the years for clients including National Express, Bosch DIY, Neff, Sharps Bedrooms, and Karndean Designflooring, to name a few.

Expertise

My work on the CIPR Midlands committee keeps me in close contact with PR and communications professionals from across the region, whilst my membership helps me stay up to date with current challenges practice, but my commitment to continued professional development, and my vast networks of alumni, further enrich my industry knowledge and connections.

Student successes

So many things! PR is one of those careers that links to many different organisations and roles, and the skills and knowledge we impart opens many doors. I am proud to have had quite a number of former students work at WPR, where I started my career, and many other well-known agencies in the region and beyond. One is flying high as a Talent Manager at Condé Nast, another doing important work for Birmingham Children’s Charity… and so many other former students thriving in PR, marketing, events, and social media roles. I am never short of a guest speaker or two, with alumni always keen to come back to BCU and share their experience and insights from their careers.