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

Cathy Cullen - communications consultant

Cathy Cullen is an award-winning communications leader with a career that spans the UK, Australia, and Ireland. She now operates as an independent consultant, working with clients to enhance their reach and reputation.

Cullen supports cross-sector clients with strategic communications and marketing. She specialises in advising senior executives on safeguarding and enhancing their digital reputations.

With a strong background in campaigns, employer branding, sustainability, and CSR, Cullen focuses on meaningful impact through communications.

Prior to establishing her own consultancy, Cullen led strategic communications, marketing, and content campaigns for global organisations.

She has held several marketing and communications roles at Sky UK's headquarters, from leading high-profile consumer campaigns to C-Suite digital communications. She has also served as digital director at Drury, one of Ireland’s leading communications agencies.

In addition to her consulting work, Cullen is on the Board of Directors for the Cork International Film Festival, and a council member for the Marketing Society of Ireland.

She is co-producer/presenter of The Cinemile film podcast, which is the only podcast to have won a British Podcast Award, an Irish Podcast Award, and an Independent Podcast Award.

Cullen holds a BA from UCC and an MA from DCU. She has recently completed a Professional Diploma in Diversity, Equity, Belonging & Inclusion from the UCD Academy, demonstrating her commitment to fostering inclusive leadership and advancing corporate responsibility.

• Hobbies Going to the cinema and podcasting the walk home, reading past my bedtime, watching too much TV.
• Best piece of advice you ever received Challenge ideas, not people.
• Why you love your job I work with organisations and leaders who strive to have a positive impact on society. Being entrusted to help them enhance their reach and reputation is a privilege.
• Motto for life Leave things better than when you found them. Social media is unsafe for children. And finally- never trust a billionaire!

Faye McGillicuddy - director, Hunter Communications, part of the Hunter Media Group

With a background in lifestyle journalism, Faye McGillicuddy  spent 10 years writing for Ireland’s top titles, before making the move to Hunter Communications. 

She now heads up a team of dedicated PR professionals who deliver exceptional campaigns for some of Ireland’s most iconic and well-loved brands like Tayto, Kerrygold and Musgraves.

• Hobbies I have recently bought house so don’t have much time for hobbies beyond picking out windows and tiles, but I do dabble in embroidery in the evenings.
• Best advice you've ever received My mum always said: “Nobody thinks about you as much as you think about yourself” and while it sounds a little blunt, it’s actually quite freeing.
• Why you love your job Things move so quickly in this industry that you have no choice but to keep up.
• Motto for life My boss Lynn Hunter repeatedly says: “There’s always a solution” and it’s a great attitude to have in life that I’ve taken on board.

Anthony O'Brien Bedford - founder, Conjure Communications

Anthony O’Brien Bedford founded Conjure Communications in 2021. He is a seasoned PR and brand communications expert with over a decade of experience crafting exceptional PR campaigns for clients in Ireland and beyond.

Having worked in large and small agencies alike, O'Brien Bedford wanted to bring together top-tier strategic thinking and bespoke personalised service to his own agency offering.

He is passionate about staying ahead of the curve when it comes to new trends in business and PR and understanding how these can be best leveraged for valued clients.

O'Brien Bedford has collaborated with a diverse range of clients, from innovative Irish startups to global multinationals. His extensive expertise has driven multiple award-winning campaigns across various sectors, including fashion and beauty, pharmaceuticals, technology, hospitality, FMCG, and more.​

Since launching, Conjure Communications has worked with incredible Irish and international brands, bringing a touch of magic to all campaigns.

O'Brien Bedford has led the PR strategy for clients such as Thérapie Clinic, Gourmet Food Parlour, the recent Christmas Spectacular at Smithfield Square, Arboretum and many more.

Renowned for his storytelling skills and creative brand strategy, Anthony is passionate about guiding clients through every stage of their journey, from initial concept to ultimate success.

O'Brien Bedford believes that PR is a crucial element to business success and advises clients at top level on not only PR tactics but overall brand direction, positioning and what is needed to maximise audience engagement through new and traditional strategies.

• Hobbies Reading as many books as possible, travelling, trying out new restaurants.
• Best piece of advice you've ever received Be proactive, not reactive.
• Why you love your job I love the excitement of it, no client or project is the same so I really like connecting with clients, truly getting an understanding of their business and how PR can work best for them.
• Motto for life If it’s meant to be, it will be.

Kristle Vaz - Senior Account Executive, Sweartaker

Kristle Vaz is a Senior Account Executive at Sweartaker, part of Murray Group, where she works on creative campaigns for clients including SuperValu, Irish Distillers, Meta, and Three Music.

Originally from Mumbai, Kristle brings a wealth of experience in Consumer and Corporate PR, having worked with agencies like BCW Global, Weber Shandwick and Current Global across leading global brands such as Spotify, Bacardi, Colgate-Palmolive, and Vodafone.

After moving to Ireland in 2023 to pursue a Master of Arts in Public Relations with New Media at MTU in Cork, Kristle entered into the Irish PR landscape, quickly adapting to the work styles and building her professional network from the ground up.

She has actively worked to establish strong media relations and connect with key people in the industry, leveraging her international experience to offer fresh perspectives when ideating for campaigns.

Kristle’s work spans various sectors including music, alco-bev, and hospitality, where she has contributed to some of the most innovative PR campaigns.

Her expertise lies in strategic communications, media outreach, and brand storytelling, which she applies to drive results for her clients.

From Mumbai to Dublin, Kristle has come a long way and is committed to further her professional development by staying up to date with industry trends, and exploring the innumerable PR opportunities the Irish market has to offer.

• Hobbies: Reading, watching and listening to thrillers / true crime stories
• Best piece of advice you've ever received: Always be open to learning, unlearning and relearning – life is too short to be a know it all!
• Why you love your job: Every day is different. We work with such fun clients and on some of the most creative campaigns I’ve had the chance to be a part of.
• Motto for life: If you were born with the weakness to fall, you were born with the strength to rise – beautiful words by Rupi Kaur