Róisín Reilly is group marketing director at Bauer Media Audio Ireland, whose radio and digital brands include Today FM, Newstalk, Spin, Off the Ball and GoLoud. She first joined the group as marketing manager for Today FM in 2014. She previously held PR roles at Littlewoods Ireland (now Very), Heneghan PR and Plunkett Communications.
01 When are you happiest?
6pm on a Friday evening, peak summer, outside with friends, music in the background, drink in hand
02 What’s your most treasured possession?
He’s not a possession, but my dog Gerry would undoubtedly be worth rescuing from a burning building
03 Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn?
LinkedIn for work and industry updates, Instagram and TikTok for personal use. The odd time I scroll through X, and it’s then that I’m reminded why I left it in the first place
04 What’s the worst job you’ve ever done?
A ‘job’ implies there was payment involved, in this case no money changed hands. During the school holidays, my parents would take us to the bog to clamp turf (if you grew up in the country, you’ll know). I hated it with a passion. I complained so much they eventually left me at home and gave me other jobs to do. Persistence pays off
05 Your favourite writers?
Dolly Alderton for her wit and sharp observational humour. Liz Nugent for her ability to draw you in and leave you floored. Emilie Pine’s Notes to Self is a book that stays with me. It’s raw, honest and one to which lots of women can relate. I’ve loaned it to many friends over the years
06 Last music you bought?
In terms of last music I bought, I like to go to a lot of gigs and think that’s one of the best ways to support your favourite band or artist, whether they’re established or up and coming. The last gig I was at was 49th & Main in Vicar Street, they’re two guys from Kilkenny who have been making music for a good few years now
07 A film you’d watch again tonight?
The Departed is one I’ll always re-watch. Jack Nicholson doing what he does best
08 What do some people think about you that isn’t true?
That’s a tricky question. You’d honestly have to ask other people. Some people might say I’m quite serious. I’m serious when I have to be and when work and life requires it but anyone who knows me well would say otherwise
09 What keeps you awake at night?
I find it quite hard to switch my brain off at night so it could be something that happened in work that day, a decision I need to make or even a conversation from five years ago
10 Which words do you overuse?
Obviously
11 Your favourite ad?
As a consumer, I really like the current Frank & Honest coffee social ad campaign with PJ & Kevin from the I’m Grand Mam podcast. It’s any engaging, humorous piece of content, that feels more like a mini series than an ad
12 Your favourite gadget?
My smart speaker. We’re in a serious relationship!
13 A brand experience that disappointed you?
I won’t name the brand but I bought an item of clothing online recently and the company bombarded me with “how did we do?” emails for weeks afterwards, until I eventually unsubscribed
14 What living person do you most admire?
My mother, Patricia – for many, many reasons but mainly for her kindness, her championing of her kids and her ability to see the positives in almost any situation
15 Most embarrassing experience?
Too many to list here. One that still stands out is calling my primary school teacher “Mammy”. My face still flushes when I think of it
16 Someone or something that strikes you as beautiful?
During lockdown, I was lucky enough to live close to the beach, and watching the sunrise became a daily ritual. Some mornings I’d be the only person there, and it felt pretty special to watch the sun come up over Dublin and just take it all in. When everything else felt so uncertain, that moment of calm was the one part of the day I really treasured. A friend even gifted me a painting of the Poolbeg Towers to mark those sunrise walks
17 In what other era would you like to have been born?
The Sixies… globally, not Ireland. For the music, the fashion, the huge cultural shift, especially around women’s rights. The sense of possibility and excitement for the future
18 Best advice you’ve heard?
Never accept criticism from someone you wouldn’t go to for advice
19 What would be your fantasy act of heroism?
Fixing our healthcare system in this country would be highest on the list
20 You’re on Death Row, what’s your last meal?
My mother’s Sunday roast. If she’s still talking to me!
