Megan O’Riordan is chief commercial officer at Packed.House. Her career in media began in research and communications at Drinkaware.ie. She later became general manager at Maximum Media and ran Electric Media, before its acquisition into Packed.House. She now heads up the group’s commercial and marketing functions.
01 When are you happiest?
On Saturday mornings in the Phoenix Park on my own, walking my golden retriever. No technology and plenty of time to think
02 What’s your most treasured possession?
A beautiful broach which once belonged to my grandmother
03 Your social media platform of choice?
Pinterest is my latest favourite
04 The worst job you’ve ever done?
My first job, age 13, changing bed linen in a golf club resort
05 What ambitions do you still have?
Having never taken a career break, I still don’t plan to and it hasn’t held me back on the travel front. I’d like to keep the balance up and experience different cultures
06 Favourite writers?
I stopped reading books regularly years ago. However, I recently read The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris – books inspired by true events captivate me
07 A film you’d watch again tonight?
About Time – a movie centred around living a mindful life
08 What do some people think about you that isn’t true?
I don’t ever think about that. It’s none of my business!
09 What keeps you awake at night?
Everything seems so much worse at night, doesn’t it? Having an unresolved row with someone important to me would certainly cause me to lie awake
10 Which words do you overuse?
“Just”’ and “sorry’ – but I’m trying to cut them out
11 Favourite ad?
The Dunnes Stores Christmas ad by Chemistry is fantastic
12 Favourite gadget?
Google Home and Google Chromecasts
13 A brand experience that disappointed you?
Hotel experiences disappoint me, particularly front of house staff
14 What living person do you most admire?
My mother. Mums are the most under-rated everyday heroes
15 Most embarrassing experience?
So, in the London media circuit, air kissing is a thing. In Ireland, it’s certainly not. We shake hands, maybe a brief hug. Let’s just say a double air kiss situation went very wrong with a very tall gent and neither of us have spoken about it since
16 Someone or something that strikes you as beautiful?
The beautiful sunset skies over the Guinness Brewery
17 What would be your fantasy act of heroism?
Providing access to third level education to every young person in Ireland
18 What would your younger self think of you today?
She’d be reasonably proud of my extraordinary yet ordinary life
19 If you had to rate your life so far, out of 10, what would you score?
I am in a job I love, working with incredibly talented people, I’m recently married, and my family are all around me – so life is close to a 10 for me
20 You’re on Death Row, what’s your last meal?
Tea and toast. How boring
