Gay Bell
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Platform CommunicationsGay Bell is Chief Executive of Platform Communications, the marketing and PR consultancy she founded in the early 1990’s. With over 30 years international business experience, all of which have been spent in the technology and media markets, Gay is a well-respected corporate communications and industry expert.
Gay’s passion is based on helping clients – from start-ups, through scale-ups to multi-nationals – to create strong differentiation and stand out communications strategies that drive market leadership. Together with the Platform team, Gay is focused on client relationships that deliver campaigns with tangible results, from clarity of message, through increased presence and share of voice, to building corporate value with M&A success. Her senior consultancy experience has seen her work across Asia, Europe and the US in a number of high-growth, innovative technology sectors including personal computing, gaming, mobile voice and video, satellite communications, digital TV and broadcasting, interactive experiences, streaming video and AR/VR. Clients have included companies such as Arqiva, Bell Atlantic, BT, EDS, Ericsson, Grass Valley, Globecast, NDS, NeXt Computer and TANDBERG Television.
Prior to establishing Platform, Gay was on the European board and Head of Technology PR practice at Fleishman Hillard, the world’s largest PR consultancy. Having trained as a journalist she started her PR career in-house for Philips Electronics, based in the Netherlands.
Gay is a Sprockit Thought Leader.
David Bramley
Founder and Director
Platform CommunicationsWith over 20 years business experience, David’s particular strengths are in allying his business knowledge with an in-depth understanding of the broadcasting, video, internet, content protection and management, new media, mobile and interactive sectors. His core skills include research and analysis, media relations, message creation and writing.
David’s experience and knowledge of business and technology ensures that Platform knows exactly what success looks like for its clients. This is a crucial first step before designing the Platform programs that communicate complex business models and technologies to journalists and all other stakeholders.
David’s PR experience includes strategic communications management in the fields of wireless multimedia for PacketVideo, digital broadcasting and interactive television for NDS and multimedia for the Learning Company. His track record includes tender and bid preparation for telecommunications projects, research projects for software companies with respect to potential acquisitions and market positioning, writing business plans for start-up companies pursuing venture capital and preparation of flotation documentation in the IT world.
After graduating in Mathematics from Manchester University, David began his career in accountancy with KPMG. While at KPMG, David worked on his first technology project, the flotation of a computer manufacturer.
David Lawrence
Managing Director
Platform CommunicationsDavid has 20+ years of experience planning and managing communications that deliver real commercial outcomes for media, entertainment and technology brands.
He has led international business, consumer and trade focused communications for clients including EA, Microsoft, Monster, Technicolor, THX and Sonos. His previous work includes launching the world’s biggest online football competition with FIFA, taking Sonos from niche product to lifestyle brand, announcing Pan’s Labyrinth HD with director Guillermo del Toro, re-launching Napster and helping Microsoft become a world leader in IPTV.
David’s areas of expertise include strategic planning, brand positioning, messaging, digital and social media, media/analyst relations, media partnerships, issues/crisis management and events. He was previously senior director at Weber Shandwick and UK head at WPP owned PPR Worldwide.
David is a graduate of Manchester University (Geography) and Cardiff University (Public Relations).
James Michael-Holmes
Associate Director
Platform CommunicationsJames’ role is focused on meeting client content creation needs. In more than five years at Platform, he has amassed considerable content marketing experience, producing messaging platforms, vision papers, thought leadership articles, presentations, press releases and general PR and communications copy.
James works closely with Platform’s various account teams and individual writers to help manage the planning, writing and approval processes for a number of TV technology and broadcast clients. He has been responsible for the development and management of the blog content on Ericsson’s media website, helping to reinforce the company’s position as one of the most influential players in TV and Media.
Prior to joining Platform in 2012, James worked for a digital marketing agency, which focused on creating and implementing blog strategies and digital PR. Over two years, he ran social media accounts and campaigns for clients from the technology, retail and betting industries.
He graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2009 with an MA in Print Journalism. James is an avid sports fan, a frustrated five-aside footballer and a Netflix binge watcher.
Paul Davies
Senior Account Director
Platform CommunicationsPaul is a specialist in online broadcast technology with over a decades’ worth of experience. Before joining Platform he built and led the marketing and communications functions for leading ad-tech provider Yospace, helping them grow from a niche tech business to achieving a €29 million acquisition in early 2019.
His areas of expertise include strategy and campaign development and execution, messaging and branding to stand out in crowded tech spaces and lead generation and development through content marketing. He has a wealth of experience in leading campaigns for major events such as IBC, NAB and Mobile World Congress.
Paul lives in South East London and traded all his hobbies for parenthood when he became a Dad during IBC 2018 – one of the more extreme ways of skipping the show.
Katie Crosta
Head of Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Platform CommunicationsKatie heads Arts, Culture and Entertainment at Platform, helping clients that are leading the next wave in arts and immersive experiences to connect meaningfully with their international audiences. Her areas of expertise include strategy, storytelling, digital & social, and media relations – enabling brands to engage with consumers and business leaders to drive powerful thought leadership.
Katie has 15+ years experience leading strategic communications for global businesses at the forefront of the culture, entertainment and design industries across the US and EU. Her work includes delivering integrated campaigns for Sony Pictures Entertainment, ITV Studios, Pop & Tiny Pop, Lionsgate, Kidtropolis and EOne. Campaigns include home entertainment launches for ‘Outlander’ – bringing a US hit to a UK audience, ‘Breaking Bad’ – from superfan favourite to mainstream media highlight, and launching interactive kids & families’ event Kidtropolis, now part of Malo Events (ComicCon Ireland, TokFest).
Katie is a graduate of DeMontfort University, Leicester (Music Technology/ French) and BIMM Institute (Music Performance – Vocals, Music Business).
Client Management Team
Hugh Filman
Senior Account Director
Platform CommunicationsA journalist turned communications professional, Hugh has more than 25 years’ experience in content creation, media management and client service. Most recently, he has spent more than eight years on the agency side of the communications equation, helping clients build and execute PR and integrated marketing strategies. He joined Platform in 2016.
Originally from Canada, Hugh previously enjoyed a long international career as a wire service reporter, magazine editor and correspondent, working for Business Week, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the German Press Agency.
He has lived in the UK since 2000, freelancing for titles such as Institutional Investor and the Evening Standard before becoming news editor of Media Week and then editor of the Haymarket magazine Direct Response. Before joining Platform, he was a member of the senior management team at ThoughtSpark, a thought leadership-driven PR and content agency.
Hugh has extensive experience with media, technology and marketing services clients, spanning ambitious start-ups, established international players and corporate giants. He has expertise across a broad range of areas, including digital media, Big Data, video technology, ecommerce, enterprise solutions and customer relationship management (CRM).
After spending most of the last 16 years living in deepest South London, he and his family decided to move just outside of the capital to the literally greener pastures of Hertfordshire.
Nana Rodaki
Account Director
Platform CommunicationsNana has over 8 years of experience leading integrated B2B technology campaigns. Her work includes running media and analyst relations for ARM and creating campaigns to promote the growth of software and cybersecurity brands. Her experience includes helping clients stand out at major events including Mobile World Congress, Embedded World and IFA.
Nana has a strong track record delivering programmes that have increased share of voice and supported key business objectives. She has an eye for a good story, strong content development skills, and great media contacts across the business & technology media.
Before PR won her heart, Nana was a lecturer at Lancaster University where she completed a PhD in International Political Economy and International Business. In her spare time, you’ll find her playing football with her son and eating chocolate.
Freddie Weiss
Account Director
Platform CommunicationsFreddie plays a leading role driving global PR, communications, and marketing campaigns for clients that increase brand awareness and meet their business needs.
Since joining Platform in 2018, Freddie has worked with a broad range of B2B brands at the cutting edge of media technology, helping build their presence across all regions. His experience building and delivering strategic integrated communications campaigns spans media relations, content, social media, social influencing, awards, and speaker programmes.
Freddie moved to London for university and graduated from Queen Mary University in 2018 with a BA degree in History and Politics. He was no stranger to the world of PR and comms upon his graduation, having done summer internships at Platform Communications throughout his studies.
Freddie lives in South London where he’s regularly found at music events, art exhibitions, or watching fantasy dramas on TV.
Philip Iacob
Account Director
Platform CommunicationsPhilip has been delivering B2B communication strategies for early-stage start-ups and multinationals across technology, M&E, telecoms, storage, electronics, and automotive sectors since early 2016. He’s developed and led fully integrated programmes for organisations looking to increase brand awareness, command greater share of voice, strengthen competitive positioning, and accelerate sales. His focus on storytelling and strong media relationships have helped drive impactful brand narratives for companies such as Avid, SAP Anywhere, Ericsson, Bright Data, and Verifone.
Philip began his career at Platform and returned in 2023, having honed his communications skills and promoted brands at major trade shows around the world such as Mobile World Congress, IBC, NAB Show, and The Media Production & Technology Show.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in PR & Communications from Westminster University as well as a Master’s in Communications from Gothenburg University.
You’re likely to find Philip training at his local gym in Woolwich, strolling through the markets of Greenwich, or playing amateur level basketball across South-East London.