Mondays suck. Especially if you hate your job. But the day doesn’t have to be a total waste. You can now look forward to reading about ReadyMakers who have worked their way into f*&%ing awesome jobs—and maybe find a little inspiration to jumpstart your own career in the process—right here, every Monday.

"We are lucky enough to live in an age where many companies want and need the personality of the individuals working for them to come through in the work they do." That's just the tip iceberg of thoughtfulness that is Dark Horse Comics Director of Public Relations Jeremy Atkins' interview for ReadyMade.

VITAL STATS Occupation: Director of Public Relations 
Location: Dark Horse Comics, Portland, OR
Age: 32 First Job: Cart boy at an Indiana supermarket, before the ink had dried on my work permit.
Best Job: Duh
Greatest Professional Challenge: Myself
Salary During 20s: My age wasn't the only thing in the 20's

Hi, Jeremy Atkins. How did you get that f*&%ing awesome job?
Well, funny enough, I lucked my way into publicity after making plans to be a recording engineer. After moving to Olympia, WA, I took the only internship available at the indie rock powerhouse, K Records. I worked under the label's publicist, and eventually took over the department after she left the company. Once I moved to Portland, I did freelance publicity for awhile, most notably for Temporary Residence Ltd, and a variety of other smaller labels and bands. As everyone will tell you, the hardest thing about being freelance in any field is GETTING PAID on time or in some cases, at all. (Let the record show that the previously mentioned TRL was one of the few that DID pay on time, without fail. Smooch.)

Around the time I was out of money and patience, a good friend told me he'd started dating someone who worked for Dark Horse. After telling me that he wasn't sure it was going to work out, I encouraged him to hold on long enough to extract information about working there. It turned out she was a very helpful and sweet individual, and I found myself gainfully employed soon after in the sales department. As predicted, however, she and my friend went their separate ways before I collected my first paycheck.

So what exactly does a publicist do?
In short, your primary objective is to solicit media coverage for the company, and all of its projects and creators. Probably the most important part of this process is seeking out and building relationships with as many media outlets and journalists as possible. Each project and artist is different, and it is imperative that you know who to pitch when and how, based on the project. A cookie cutter approach to everything will get you nowhere.

Was working with comics a long-time dream or plan of yours?
A dream, definitely. A plan, not so much. I have been reading comics since before I could actually "read" anything. I fell in love with Spider-Man and the Batman around the time I lost my first tooth. When other kids were "seeing Jane run," I was learning about the Vietnam War in the pages of Iron Man. As I grew older, skateboarding and music became my focus, but comics always remained a huge part of my life, and my first love for sure.

What kinds of skills do you find yourself using most on the job?
More than anything, I find myself using what is commonly referred to as "the gift of gab." I remember when I was younger, after getting in trouble for something I had most likely done, my father called me out halfway through my carefully thought out explanation to the contrary. "Son, if you could find a career in bullshit, you'd be a millionaire." After landing my first PR job with my degree in audio engineering, I was excited to call home and tell him,"Dad, I found a whole field! It's called publicity." I was however, disappointed to find the salary wasn't quite as promised.

What is your typical day like?
That depends on where I am. Some days, you're sitting at a desk like most office jobs, sending emails and instant messages, making phone calls, etc. A lot of time in the office is spent working with editorial and the members of my department to put together publicity plans for upcoming projects. Other days, you're on your feet for 12 hours under florescent lights, doing everything from trying to wrangle the creator of Hellboy or other top talent for on-camera interviews with everyone from MTV to Comic Book Resources, or talking to a Star Wars fan about his continuity concerns. Still other times, it's coordinating announcements for upcoming Dark Horse film projects with Hollywood Studios.

What are the biggest pleasures of the job?
All of the above. Really, the greatest pleasure of the job for me is building relationships with people, who eventually become friends. If you told me that I could spend my adult life talking about comic books with my friends, I would have never believed you. I have the utmost respect for everyone I work with, and feel lucky to know them.

What could you do without?
Carpal tunnel

Have you had any role models, in work or in life?
I have been lucky enough to work for and with many of the visionaries I grew up respecting. I have always been drawn to the idea that you can build a success story from the ground up, all the while staying true to why you thought to do it yourself in the first place.

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to do something similar to what you've done?
Pour yourself into the task at hand and you will be successful. We are lucky enough to live in an age where many companies want and need the personality of the individuals working for them to come through in the work they do. Pursue what you like, not what pays.

0 Comments