Next up on our ‘Meet the team’ series is our director, John Megaughin. John scored his first job in PR 20 years ago with the Professional Darts Corporation while he was studying in Leeds for a qualification in PR. He did a placement year in-house with McDonald’s in London before spending seven years at the red consultancy and Fever PR in the city.
John returned to Northern Ireland in 2011 and after a couple of years working in local agencies, he was ready for a change. He was persuaded to help launch an agency by his friend and Clearbox founder Anna Irwin and as the rest, as they say, is history.
Why did you start Clearbox?
“Clearbox began in 2013 when my business partner Anna decided she wanted to try something different. The same year, I had reached a point in my career where I wasn’t progressing, and I (eventually, after much persuasion by Anna) figured the best way to progress and have a bit of fun was to do my own thing, so I joined Anna at Clearbox. We never really intended to do big things, had no grand plan – we just thought we would try it and see how it goes. 10 years later, here we are.”
What does a typical day look like for you?
“I genuinely don’t know most days what is going to come up. I will get involved in a lot of different projects during the day, some of which relate to the running of the business – for example, team catch ups or dealing with things around the office. The other side of the coin is client work, overseeing and managing what happens with all our clients. The nature of our business means there are several other unplanned bits and pieces – adjusting things due to what is happening in the media, or maybe a campaign date will be moved. My role is really quite varied.”
What is the best thing about working at Clearbox?
“Aside from working with our world-class clients, seeing the team develop and grow. It’s a privilege to watch everyone progress, learn new things and get promotions. We have developed a great team culture and vibe, and we have a good laugh, too. It’s also good to be kept up to date with what is happening in the world outside my own bubble, like the Barbie movie, Prada by casso and, of course, all things Taylor Swift.”
What is your dream Glastonbury line-up?
“Friday night would be a dance night, so I’d have New Order headlining. With Peter Hook, obviously. They’d also play LWTUA and Transmission. Saturday night would be headlined by Oasis (1996 line up) who’d bring John, Steve, Sid/Glen and Paul out for a rendition of Holidays in the Sun, Anarchy and Vacant. Sunday legend slot would be early 80s Blondie (so they could do Rapture) and the Sunday headliner has to be David Bowie, with Iggy Pop as his special guest.”
What is your fantasy dinner menu? Three courses, each from a different restaurant, any restaurant in the world.
“Let me preface that I am not a foodie, okay? For starter I’d have some form of chicken wing, maybe the Franks hot sauce ones from Dominos. Main would be a burnt ends dinner from Bodeans in Soho, but the way they used to do it. Not the way they do it now. I’m a big advocate for dessert over starter by the way, and my dessert would be a chocolate fudge cake from Pies and Thighs in New York. And some Munchies and a cup of tea to finish off the calorie bomb.”
