Sales executive Andrew Fowler, a trained actor whose credits include a recurring role in BBC TV’s Casualty, has given a starring performance since he joined the company in 2016.
Working across the Abergavenny Chronicle, Monmouthshire Beacon and Brecon & Radnor Express, Andrew supports local businesses in making the most of their advertising budget with appearances in our print and digital titles.
Based in Abergavenny, Andrew talks about the appeal of working for trusted local news brands based in his community.
What are the main responsibilities in your role?
My main job is to create the advertising revenue for the papers and websites by managing relationships with our clients. I help businesses to advertise effectively. We are a multimedia business so I advise customers on the best advertising strategies to reach their target audiences. When I joined we were very much focused on the newspaper but now I advise people on our digital opportunities.
What was the appeal of joining the company?
I was in a similar role in sales locally and had known the Abergavenny Chronicle for many years. Editor Liz Davies said there was a role available which had a great appeal as I grew up nearby in Pontypool and had been involved in theatre in Abergavenny.
What does a typical day in your role involve?
I spend a lot of time on calls or visiting businesses. I work on proposals for customers and develop packages, as well as making up designs for adverts. I also deal with the production department and work with our editorial teams to discuss what is in the news and the stories that will appear around the adverts, so it is a collaborative role.
I follow up on leads or pieces of information about potential advertising opportunities and monitor the sales figures. Our advertisers like to engage with a local audience. There are so many ways to advertise now but people value the experience and audience we offer to help them market themselves effectively.
How does your role fit into the business?
The advertising revenue is a key stream for the business. Having local businesses advertise in our newspapers and on our websites helps maintain the quality of the reader experience. Readers feel it is better to see local businesses and editorial in our titles as they like to see themselves reflected in the content. Local advertising works as if you have a theatre, for example, you can reach local audiences in order to sell tickets.
What do you enjoy about working for Tindle?
No two days are the same. I get to work such a mix of businesses, including regular advertisers and people who come back a couple of times a year. I’ve built up relationships with a lot of contacts since 2016. I enjoy working with local theatres as that is my background and I understand their businesses.
How do you use digital in your role?
I use a range of digital platforms. We have systems for delivering advertising on our websites, while some businesses use our social media packages. We saw a local college advertise with us recently and have a record number of applications as a result. We are growing our digital offering very quickly which is nice. I have had extensive training on how to create an advert digitally so I can advise people on the best ways to shape their ads. To monitor performance we use analytics platforms to see digital engagement and we are bringing out new products every year to meet the requirements of the market, including website homepage “takeover” ads, which offer extensive placements on the page. There is always something new happening with digital at Tindle.
Which jobs did you have before you joined the company?
When I left school I wanted to be an actor. I was very lucky and got an agent quickly so I was able to start working full time as an actor. Having been part of a local group in Abergavenny, there was a professional casting director locally who saw me. I did six months on Casualty on BBC One as a recurring character called Declan. My character was part of a story about youth knife crime and gangs, which meant I appeared in a storyline which ran over a couple of months.
Then when the first Captain America Marvel movie was being filmed nearby I was cast in a very small role with one night of filming, which was great experience. All of these roles happened in the first 18 months or so, but I wanted more regular work so I got a job as a theatre technician and got small acting roles where I could. I was working as a charity fundraiser when the Tindle role became available.
What are your interests outside of work?
I am very involved in theatre here. I am the vice chairman of a community group that supports the arts. Theatre is a big part of my life and I perform several times a year with local groups. I am doing a degree in philosophy, politics and economics through distance learning. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do a degree as I felt my education was unfinished.