dmg media Ireland has selected 40 brilliant young minds in the PR industry as part of the 40 Under 40 series.

Ian Collins - account director, Presence PR

As an account director at Presence PR, Ian Collins brings strategic leadership, creativity, and a deep understanding of public relations to drive exceptional results for clients.

With a strong background in managing high-profile accounts (Emerald Park, NYX Hotels, Flogas Ireland, KEPAK, Husqvarna) across a range of industry sectors, Collins excels in building and maintaining trusted relationships with both clients and opinion formers, fostering innovative campaigns, and delivering measurable outcomes.

Collins began his career at Presence PR as an intern and has worked with Joanne Byrne and Sinead Ryan and the rest of the team for the past seven years.

His career journey also includes valuable experience working in Australia, where he managed PR efforts for the MyFitnessPal account and government health projects, gaining international expertise and a fresh perspective on global communication strategies.

At Presence PR, Collins crafts tailored strategies that align with client goals, ensuring every campaign resonates with target audiences. From overseeing media relations and content creation to managing complex challenges all while maintaining the integrity and reputation of the brands represented.

This year, Collins’s PR highlights include leading the campaign for the opening of Emerald Park’s €22m investment of its first immersive land, Tír Na nÓg garnering national and international coverage across all media outlets.

He also helped to introduce a new hotel concept in the form of NYX Hotels and managed the consumer PR for Flogas Ireland, the official energy partner of Team Ireland at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

• Hobbies If I’m not checking out a new bar or restaurant, you can find me at the theatre, or on a flight to somewhere new. 
• Best piece of advice you've ever received I’ve received a lot of advice work wise, but perhaps one that always stood out especially while working in PR is ‘The worst thing they can say is no'. 
• Why you love your job I love that we work with a variety of people from all different industries which really ensures that no day is the same.
• Motto for life Give everything a go once, life is too short and it’s very easy to become comfortable.

Susannah Kerr - senior consultant, Reputation Inc

Susannah Kerr is a senior consultant at Reputation Inc specialising in strategic communications, media relations, campaign planning and execution, and digital communications.

With a keen eye for crafting impactful narratives and a strong ability to drive measurable results, she has built a reputation for delivering high-quality, results-driven communications strategies across a diverse range of industries.

Since joining Reputation Inc in 2019, Kerr has gained extensive experience working across sectors such as telecommunications, professional and legal services, healthcare, retail, and financial services for Reputation Inc’s roster of blue-chip clients.

She is particularly skilled in reputation management and developing multi-channel campaigns that elevate organisational trust and credibility.

Kerr is known for her ability to foster strong relationships with media, clients, and stakeholders. Her combination of strategic insight, executional excellence, and a deep understanding of the media landscape makes her a trusted advisor for organisations looking to enhance their reputation, navigate complex communications challenges, and connect meaningfully with their stakeholders.

Academically, Kerr holds a Master’s degree in Public Relations from Technological University Dublin (formerly DIT) and an Honours degree in World Religions and Classical Civilisations from Trinity College Dublin.

Kerr is also actively involved in a voluntary capacity supporting high profile athletes’ personal reputation programmes and also Leinster Rugby clubs, collaborating with them to highlight club news and crafting articles for the Metropolitan (METRO) region.

• Hobbies Heading to the Aviva to watch Leinster and Ireland play.
• Best piece of advice you've ever received Don't sweat the small stuff.
• Why you love your job My fantastic clients.
• Motto for life Everything happens for a reason. 

Emma Walsh - client director, Alice Public Relations

Emma Walsh has over 12 years’ experience in PR, communications and journalism, cutting her teeth in local media and music journalism in Liverpool before moving into in-house communications and outreach for national UK charity, The Reader.

She joined Alice Public Relations as a client executive in 2019, bringing a hands-on, solutions-focused approach to media relations, public affairs and digital communications, in which she specialises.

Since her time working with charity volunteers and beneficiaries, she has known and championed the power of human stories to change the world and has a passion for creative storytelling.

Since then, Walsh has progressed to client director, leading on strategic communications campaigns for clients across the not-for-profit and education sectors and is a key member of Alice’s training team.

She provides strategic advice and creative solutions to clients on research and data-driven campaigns that seek to change attitudes and behaviours.

With Alice, Walsh has worked on a wide range of progressive, environmental and social justice campaigns with clients such as AONTAS, Coalition 2030, Early Childhood Ireland, Children’s Books Ireland, ICTU, WorkEqual, the HEA, and the EPA’s Stop Food Waste campaign.

• Hobbies Reading, writing, walking and anything that doesn’t involve screens.
• Best piece of advice you’ve ever received You can’t keep doing the same thing over and over and expect different results.
• Why you love your job Working on purpose-driven campaigns, with people committed to making Ireland and the world a better place.
• Motto for life “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” - George Eliot