Say hello to our Head of Creative Content
In the latest of our series of Meet the Team profiles, we catch up with Jon Smart to find out a bit more about his role and the work he does for clients.
How long have you been with QBD, and what are your main roles?
I joined QBD in October 2020 as Head of Creative Content. My main duties are producing engaging, SEO-friendly website and digital content for clients to help them reach a wider audience.
I do this by gaining a deep understanding of who our clients are, what they do, who their customers are and what makes them special, then help them to tell their brand story in a way that connects with their target audiences.
What did you do before joining?
I started out as a journalist before making the move into public relations, where I spent a long time working first in the financial services sector, then in business support, securing positive media coverage and developing economic and political campaigns. I was also Editor for one of the East Midlands’ leading business magazines.
I left there to work in-house as Head of Content at a creative agency, before leaving to run my own freelance copywriting and media consultancy business, which I did for the 18 months before joining QBD.
What’s your skillset?
I’ve always loved writing and feel very blessed to have been able to do it for a living for so long.
What really drives me, though, is getting to know each client really well, finding out why they do what they do, what drives them and makes them so special and unique, then helping them to develop a brand message that captures the essence of their business and connects with their customers.
What do you enjoy most about working at QBD?
The team, the clients and the work. It’s a great team of people to be a part of, and we have a knack for working with clients who are as ambitious, interesting and innovative as we are.
Where do you live? Do you have family or pets?
I live in Nottinghamshire with my partner, Dawn, our daughter, JJ, and our two cats, Mocha and Cookie.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Aside from spending time with my family, I like reading, playing the guitar (badly), music and film. I also enjoy watching most sports, especially football, ice hockey and MMA.
Tea or coffee?
Coffee… our cats’ names probably give that one away.
Sweet or savoury?
Savoury.
Favourite film?
I’m a sucker for the Marvel films, but my all-time favourite is Shaun of the Dead.
Favourite food?
I love a good burger, with all the trimmings.
Favourite music?
Punk, ska, metal, reggae, hip-hop, indie and everything in between.
Ideal dinner party guests and why?
Brian Clough, Joe Strummer, Mr Miyagi – three of my heroes growing up.
If you could have any super-power, what would it be?
If I could be in two or three places at once, it would come in really handy.
Quirky fact about yourself
I was once a circus clown for the day and was once flown out to Paris by Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson, who I got to meet and interview while I was there.