IWD2024: Here are 3 women challenging the odds in the very niche sector of tech PR

Despite the gender-specific barriers to making a consistent impact in the tech PR sector, women have constantly challenged the odds and continued innovating. The likes of Oluwatobi Rasaq Alaka– Corporate Communications Manager at Zone, Blessing Emmanuel-Macaulay-Lead consultant at PR Fusions, and Temi Faseyide-  PR/Comms Account Manager at InsiderPR easily come to mind because of continued innovation.

The International Women’s Day 2024 is themed #InspireInclusion. Besides the well-known women players in the tech sector, there are a lot of other ladies who are also challenging various odds and innovating in the tech sector. Meet 3 of these women doing exactly the same in the Tech PR sector.

Oluwatobi Rasaq Alaka-Corporate Communications Manager at Zone

Oluwatobi’s academic journey—from a BA in mass communication to a Master of Science in Marketing—unexpectedly led her to the dynamic world of tech marketing. She embraced the opportunity and now navigates the industry with agility and innovation.

Juggling roles in PR and tech marketing, Oluwatobi emphasizes the importance of creating a system that integrates work into personal life. According to her, setting boundaries, prioritizing tasks, and adapting to the ebbs and flows help her find harmony.

A standout moment in her career was spearheading a product launch within a tight timeframe. She mentioned that the challenge brought excitement, creativity, and camaraderie, culminating in a rewarding launch event and positive reactions from clients.

Looking back on her journey in the tech PR field, one piece of advice she said she would offer to other aspiring women is to approach their careers with a positive mindset.

In her words, “Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and learning, and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.”

She added that another invaluable lesson learned is the importance of being open to feedback, as constructive criticism can be a powerful tool for improvement and professional development. Therefore, women in tech should embrace feedback to hone their skills and enhance their performance.

Moving forward, she is reminding other women to stay open to learning and adaptability. The tech industry is constantly evolving, and it is essential to stay ahead of the curve by staying informed about emerging trends and technologies. Think strategically and tactically, always looking for innovative ways to elevate your PR efforts and deliver impactful results.

Reflecting on her role at Zone, Oluwatobi said she finds fulfilment in contributing to the future of technology. Being at the forefront of the tech industry offers both professional satisfaction and financial rewards. Zone’s commitment to employee success enhances the overall experience, making tech PR a fulfilling and lucrative career choice.

Read More: Google celebrates IWD with 3 new initiatives, names 15 women-led startups for Africa accelerator

From Mass Communication to Tech PR: Blessing Macaulay’s inspiring story

Blessing’s educational journey began with a degree in mass communication at the University of Lagos, majoring in public relations and advertising. Despite not initially liking the field, she pursued it for its perceived financial opportunities. However, she later transitioned to the University of Ibadan for a second degree in Communications and Language Art. Further enhancing her academic portfolio, Blessing obtained a degree in Project Management from Harvard Business School.

Interestingly, Blessing’s PR journey didn’t align with her academic background. After NYSC, she ventured into volunteering at a publication house, where she honed her skills in press releases and story writing. The moment came when she transitioned to digital marketing, realizing the true essence of PR through an intensive Digital Marketing course.

Balancing PR tech with marketing proved demanding, but Blessing values her professional life while ensuring it doesn’t overshadow her personal one. With the support of her spouse, she successfully runs a PR agency, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balance.

A memorable experience for Blessing was overcoming a marketing challenge by weaving an emotional story. Collaborating with a designer, they transformed the approach and achieved significant success.

Offering advice to aspiring women in tech, Blessing encourages them to take the plunge, emphasizing that life’s journey unfolds with various paths. She advocates continuous learning from peers, seniors, and even subordinates, highlighting the absence of a monopoly in knowledge.

Describing herself as an open learner and a passionate individual, Blessing values delivering excellence to her clients, considering herself a “people pleaser” who strives to give her best in every endeavour.

Temi Faseyide-PR/Comms Account Manager at InsiderPR

Temi Faseyide, a trailblazer in PR and tech marketing shared some insights from our conversation:

Temi shared that her journey into tech marketing and PR stemmed from a deep-rooted passion for Writing and Communications. By acquiring a postgraduate diploma in Mass Communications and Public Relations, her academic background has been the guiding force behind her career.

For Temi, juggling the demanding roles of PR and tech marketing requires finesse. She emphasized the importance of a conscious effort to maintain a work-life balance. Whether it is immersing herself in music, personal writing, or exploring her diverse interests, these moments outside of work serve as fuel for her professional success.

A standout experience for Temi was seeking audience opinions about a startup she was working with. The visibility and feedback garnered showcased the success that comes from consistent effort, collaboration, and dedication to the team.

Temi’s advice to aspiring women in tech PR is simple yet profound: Feed into your interests, immerse yourself, identify your goals, take deliberate steps, and build gradually. The journey unfolds organically over time.

Addressing the perennial question of fulfilment vs financial reward, Temi asserts that a career in tech PR can be both. She said that the field challenges individuals to think creatively, enabling growth in expertise. Passion, she notes, plays a vital role, and mastering one’s craft inevitably leads to a fulfilling and rewarding professional journey.

The stories of these women and other women out there exemplify resilience, passion, and the pursuit of excellence. Let us celebrate their achievements and the countless women making strides in the dynamic world of tech PR.

Happy International Women’s Day!

Read More: #IWD2021: 5 Women in Tech Challenging the Odds to Look Out for