17 Jan Member Spotlight Series: Merredith Branscombe
Merredith Branscombe is a former journalist and science writer whose core skill has always been finding a way to make complex information accessible and relatable instead of dumbing it down.
She has written or produced shows on the Discovery Channel and Learning Channel (when they were still geeky) before going to the dark side and putting her journalism experience to work as a media and PR strategist.
Her award-winning work @ LeapPR founder has helped clients both behemoth (Amazon, Sony, HP, and more) and tiny (Gild, Emotient, AnyPerk) explain not just what they were doing, but why it matters. Something like 70% of her clients were acquired if they so chose.
She has three kids who are more or less grown, two dogs, & a husband of 26 years whom she first met (but not married) when she was 11.
We asked Merredith a few questions…
Name a book or blog that changed your life?
Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich, changed my life in that it changed my perception and my behavior. It made me understand on a level both fundamental and visceral how thin the margin is for people making minimum wage, from gathering the funds to put down a deposit on a rental apartment, to limiting the choices people make for nutrition, calories, and a safe place to live. That book is 20 years old, but its lessons are absolutely as relevant today as they were during the Clinton administration.
(Side note: as a writer, Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion changed my perception of how one could be a reporter while still exploring and offering all that language has to offer: how rhythms, details, and voice can make facts and reporting shine. I re-read her essay, “On Self-Respect” at least a couple of times a year. And as a professional, Made to Stick put into tangible, repeatable form so much of what I had known mostly by trial and error.)
Five words or less: What has been most important to your career success?
It’s not what you do—it’s why it matters. (A bit longer than 5 words, but it’s truly my motto!)
What are you working on now? OR…What are you most proud of in your accomplishments so far?
My best work tells a bigger story for my clients; I’m proud of finding the intersection between what they want to talk about and what the media wants to cover: instead of “a skills-based search engine,” we told the bigger story of bias inherent in hiring and in algorithms — and got amazing coverage.
OR What I’m working on now: the media landscape has changed so much in the age of Trump. I am re-tooling my company to focus on the strategies, storylines and content that get results instead of relying on media coverage. It feels more like a conversation, less like a hunt.
If you could give 20-year-old self-advice, what would it be?
My advice to my 20 year-old self is probably especially relevant in the era of #MeToo: You have talent and insights; don’t pre-silence your own voice because you’re not a guy.
Every month we spotlight an amazing woman who is part of the SheSays Boulder community. Some have shared their story as a speaker at our events. All are women who’ve inspired us with their work, heart, and vision. Want to connect with an amazing community of woman making a difference in the digital world? Follow us on MeetUp, sign up on the email list or find our next event on Event Brite and join the fun.
No Comments