Leadership Team
Gay Bell
Gay Bell is Chief Executive of Platform Communications, the marketing and PR consultancy she founded in the early 1990s. 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 multinationals – 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
With 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 ensure 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 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
David has 25+ 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, Sonos, Technicolor, THX, and Verizon. 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
James’ role is focused on meeting client content creation needs. In over a decade 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 several TV technology and broadcast clients’ planning, writing, and approval processes.
Before joining Platform in 2012, James worked for a digital marketing agency that focused on creating and implementing blog strategies and digital PR. Over two years, he ran social media accounts and campaigns for technology, retail, and betting clients.
He graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2009 with an MA in Print Journalism. James is an avid sports fan, a frustrated five-a-side footballer, and a Netflix binge-watcher.
Nana Rodaki
Nana has over eight 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 of delivering programs 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 Ph.D. in International Political Economy and International Business. In her spare time, you’ll find her playing football with her son and eating chocolate.
Katie Crosta
Katie 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 favorite 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).
