Megan Hopgood

Creative, strategically focused Communications Specialist with experience of delivering effective media, PR, digital and internal campaigns that reflect the employer’s mission and values. Skilled at placing stories and responding calmly, professionally and quickly to positive and negative journalistic enquiries.

Drax Group – Canada Vancouver, BC

External Communications Specialist January 2024 to Present

Multi-national renewable energy company producing biomass pellets. 

Lead media engagement on several campaigns. Sourced story ideas. Maintained solid relationships with news professionals and manage relationships with external agencies and consultants. Produced marketing collateral. Managed social media platforms and tracked social posts and analytics. Set and monitored performance targets. Organized media and government site visits. Prepared presentations and speeches for company spokespeople at events.

• Developed and published economic impact report on Drax’s Canadian operations
• Led communications strategy around opening of new site in Washington 

Internal Communications Specialist July 2023 to July 2024

Managed communication activities and events across Drax North America. Developed and created copy for engagement campaigns that support and help deliver key projects and business priorities. Briefed senior leadership on effective internal face-to-face and digital communications strategies. Completed required corporate reports. Managed internal communications platforms.

• Produced internal communication and engagement plan that kept colleagues informed.
• Led internal comms campaign for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation including sponsoring a local First Nations event and encouraging colleagues to get involved. 

Communications Officer September 2021 to July 2023

Led media engagement on several campaigns including Drax Group's two B2B customer energy supply businesses, community relations, and UK and North American supply chains. Helped the wider media and external affairs team with their respective campaigns, by dealing with reactive issues and implementing financial calendar communications. Sourced story ideas.

Built solid relationships with news professionals and managed relationships with external agencies and consultants. Managed social media platforms.

• Identified and capitalized on positive media and social media opportunities. 
• Produced engaging press releases. 
• Led communications strategy on launch of new corporate giving foundation.

Media and Press Office Intern September 2020 to September 2021

Monitored media and compiled media coverage reports. Wrote press releases. Produced a quarterly four-page company news-focused newspaper insert. Liaised with photographers and film crews. Supported the delivery of media events and organized power station visits. Processed invoices and kept news subscriptions current.

MA, Public Relations and Strategic Communications, 2020, Leeds Business School, Leeds, UK.

• Including one semester work placement at digital marketing agency 

• Including one year abroad teaching English in Austria