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

Julie Blakeney - founder, Jailbird Communications

Julie Blakeney founded Jailbird Communications five years ago after spending 12 years in fast-paced, global agencies. including Ogilvy, Thinkhouse and HAVAS.

There, she worked on communications for iconic brands and organisations, including Guinness, Hendrick’s Gin, Deloitte, Bank of Ireland, Innocent Juice, and Spotify. 

Since its formation, Jailbird Communications has grown rapidly. It now employs six permanent staff and turned over half a million euros in 2025. Jailbird Communications offers PR, social strategy and management, digital, and influencer programming for Irish and global organisations.

The agency's client list includes HelloFresh, Corona, Bulmers, Budweiser, Insomnia Coffee, Pukka Tea, IMMA, Fleadh Cheoil Na hÉireann and Other Voices Music. 

Blakeney, a massive fan and supporter of all things Irish culture-related, sits on the board of the Dublin Fringe Festival, where she consults on communications and sponsorship. 

• Hobbies Running, lifting weights and yoga as well as going to the theatre and gigs.
• Best piece of advice you've ever received Be where your feet are. If you're at work, be there. If you're at home, be there. 
• Why you love your job I love the pace of the day. It's fast-moving, and no two days are ever the same.
• Motto for life Hard work can beat talent when talent doesn't work as hard. 

Liam Murphy - managing director, Wachsman EMEA

Liam Murphy is the managing director and head of Wachsman EMEA. Since joining Wachsman in 2017, he has been at the forefront of the crypto and blockchain industry, helping some of the most innovative businesses and groups in the world to achieve the extraordinary.

Prior to joining Wachsman, Liam served as a communications adviser to the European Commission’s Director of Strategy and Corporate Communication in Brussels, formulating policy and supporting the administration of a €25m annual communications budget on behalf of the Commission.

He spent time at the UK Cabinet Office, a post that centred on influencing and nudging government departments to implement the Prime Minister’s directive to use data to make society better.

He also has experience working as a lobbyist for what would become ‘Britain Stronger in Europe’, the group that led the Remain campaign during the Referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union.

He holds a BA in History and Political Science from Trinity College, and an MSc in Politics and Communication from The London School of Economics.

• Hobbies Spending as much time on the beach as possible with my two daughters and dog.
• Best piece of advice you've ever received: Be calm and level headed. Don't let stress affect how you make decisions or treat people.
• Why you love your job: Incredible colleagues and the opportunity to build something new from the ground up.
• Motto for life: Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror. Just keep going. 

Martyn Rosney - partner, Reputation Inc

As a Partner at Reputation Inc, Martyn Rosney works across all aspects of reputation management, offering clients expertise in strategic issues and crisis advice, media relations, stakeholder engagement, executive profiling, communications capability building, and the development of strategic reputation management programmes.

Rosney serves as the Country Lead for Ireland with the European Association of Communications Directors. He is also a Fellow and former board member of the Public Relations Institute of Ireland.

A regular speaker at industry events and guest lecturer at UCD Smurfit School and Trinity Business School, Rosney shares his deep knowledge of corporate reputation with professionals and students alike.

Passionate about the power of reputation management to deliver transformative benefits for his clients, Rosney’s dedication has earned him notable accolades.

He was on the first team to represent Ireland at the Cannes Lions, was recognised as the inaugural winner of the PRII/PRCA/CIPR Young Communications Professional of the Year for Ireland, and was also the first Ireland-based professional to feature on PR Week UK’s 30 Under 30 list.

He is also a former winner of Early Career PR & Marketing Professional of the Year.

Rosney is deeply committed to building a more just and inclusive society that is better for all. He is proud to contribute to this vision through his roles as a Board Member of Down Syndrome Ireland and as a member of the Steering Committee of the 30% Club Ireland.

• Hobbies Getting my sons into playing golf so I get to play it again when they’re teenagers!
• Best piece of advice you've ever received Advice from my father that I strive to apply in every situation: "Always aim to leave the world better than you found it."
• Why you love your job It's incredibly rewarding to help others navigate complex challenges, protect their values, and ultimately leave a positive, lasting impact on their audiences and communities. It's about making a difference through clarity, strategy, and purpose.
• Motto for life "Challenges are simply opportunities in disguise."