Media Directory Entry: Fiona Laing
MY experience comes from writing and editing for a range of publications (print and online) across the education, industry and leisure sectors. I also have skills in strategic PR, from working for corporate and public sector clients and dealing with a range of issues – from recycling and waste to consumer products like restaurants and whisky. I spent 15 years on daily newspapers in Scotland before moving to PR with a large, multi-national high-tech company.
As a freelance journalist since 2004, my commissions include writing assignments from The Herald, Evening Times and Aberdeen University Magazine, Tennis Scotland and Network (Heriot-Watt University). I have also done editorial shifts on The Scottish Daily Mail and The Scotsman. I provide copywriting for print, websites, social media, advertising and video. I am food editor for ArtMag; consultant editor on Edinburgh Childcare & Schools Guide since 2008; production editor on Innovate (Aberdeen University) and Aberdeen University Magazine; plus ghost blogger for Amrut Distilleries.
As a freelance public relations consultant, also since 2004, I have worked on all aspects of PR strategy – media relations, internal communications, crisis management, media training and corporate social responsibility. I gained a CIPR Diploma in 2004. Clients include: Amrut Distilleries, Scottish Borders Council, Advantage Learning, McFelder Translations, HFT, CHAS, WRVS and Klaklak. Interim positions have included: internal communications officer, Heriot-Watt University; lecturer, Napier University; and senior account manager, Geronimo Communications (National Lottery, General Teaching Council for Scotland, learndirect scotland, Glasgow Caledonian University).
* Corporate relations manager, United Kingdom and Ireland, Agilent Technologies, 2000-2004
* Production journalist on The Scotsman, The Scotsman Publications Ltd, Edinburgh, 1988-2000
* Sub-editor on The Courier, DC Thomson Ltd, Dundee, 1984-1988
* Member of CIPR and NUJ
* CIPR Diploma, MA Hons
