For the Right Reasons is a contemporary creative PR studio that amplifies ideas and pursues meaningful impact.
Founded in 2021, the studio has grown to have worked with many international creative disruptors who plan on leaving the world a better place than how they found it. Or who simply have something creative and compelling to say.
Founder
Jessica Hartley
I have deep roots in the creative industries, having spent almost two and a half decades working across film, music videos, and advertising for brands and in the arts and culture.
Originally from London, I’ve been in Amsterdam since 2006 and I’m an outspoken champion of creativity - especially creativity from Amsterdam - and I even sometimes write about it in The Drum.
I’m always looking to bridge the gap between creative ideas and impact. Also I’ve helped amplify new and diverse voices and worked with challenger bands and pioneering agencies to do the work that really matters.
I’m generally known for launching campaigns like no other, having forged the PR strategy for numerous gold, Grand Prix and Black Pencil campaigns such as Degree Inclusive, the world’s first deodorant for disabled people, The Next Rembrandt and School for Justice - with over 85 awards to my name.
I’ve worked with brands like adidas, On Running, Google, Nike, Free a Girl and numerous fashion brands - and with creative agencies and other creative entities such as Anomaly, HALAL, Soursop Amsterdam, Wunderman Thompson Network, HEIMAT Berlin, DDB, and countless others.
PR Manager
Anouk Arends
Anouk is Dutch and a next-gen PR manager with expertise in working across non-traditional channels and loves anything digital and social. As well as this she’s also a writer, translator (and baker!). She likes carbs.
Over her five years in the business she's worked with culturally leading organisations such as We Are Public, Amsterdam’s finest production house HALAL and the iconic creative agency KesselsKramer.
Anouk approaches the world with a fresh and curious perspective, bringing innovation and creativity to her work. Her ability to navigate through different spheres reflects her adaptability and commitment to nailing new challenges.
German PR Expert
Ruth van Doornik
Ruth is a German award-winning journalist, PR and communications expert with two decades experience in print and digital media. Strategic thinker, creative, articulate and with an extensive network in Germany.
She knows exactly which stories trigger (German speaking) editors to help brands or agencies get more impact. Ruth sits at the intersection of news, business, culture and trends, and knows how to create the right topic in the right moment.
Ruth has written for renowned German Magazines and Newspapers such as Welt, Cosmopolitan, Stern, GQ, and Barbara.
PR Strategist
Hannah McDonald
I have worked within the creative industries for over 15 years. Beginning on the busy reception desk at Glassworks London, I was a founding member of the company’s Amsterdam office, working in both executive producer and global marketing and communication director roles. I have since freelanced for various production companies and agencies with a strong focus on creative PR strategy.
Whilst at Glassworks I organised Artworks, the popular industry exhibition events and later I co-directed 5x15 Amsterdam, the Netherlands edition of the acclaimed 5x15.com series of talks.
I am also an author/ illustrator and my first book was published in 2022 with Liminal 11.
Word Wrangler
Gary Smith
Multi-lingual (French/Spanish/Dutch) journalist, translator, copywriter. Also daytime conference programmer and panel moderator at the Amsterdam Dance Event, Paris Electronic Week, the Brazilian Music Conference (BRMC), Eurosonic and TalkFest.
Writer for Cannes Lions Daily News, Location International Magazine, Location California, MIPTV & MIPCOM News, Sportel and the Monte Carlo TV Festival magazine. Specialist subjects include TV, music, smart technology, eco-tech, tactical social networking, advertising, online media, sport and business strategy.
Marketing Junior & Content Manager
Nghi Luong
Nghi has been there right from the start. She joined as an intern in 2021 and swiftly showed what she was worth. In the meantime, she has moved back to her beloved Vietnam, a resident now in Ho Minh City, from where she brings her invaluable skills in research, planning, marketing and content management to the table daily - plus of course a perspective on Asia.
She’s also an expert in social media and marketing and has an excellent eye for design.
Opinion maker / Ex-Features editor of shots magazine
Selena Schleh
Selena is a journalist, copywriter and editor specialising in fashion, beauty, film and advertising.
An expert in concepting, researching and creating features on a broad range of advertising & creative topics. If you have an opinion, she’s the one to help distill it into a timely, sharp and impactful piece of writing.
She has written for award-winning consumer and business publications including Time Out, The Telegraph, Harrods Magazine, Dazed & Confused & shots, a leading publication for the creative industry.
Writing for shots - the commercial film industry’s bible - she travelled around the globe reporting on creative brands, ad agencies, production companies, directors, photographers - and focused on craft and trends. She’s also an articulate speaker, having chaired panels at the D&AD, Berlin Fashion Film Festival and of course Cannes Lions.
Social Media Expert & Trends Researcher
Rebecca Adeyeye
Becky is based in London and is totally passionate about what’s trending - makes sense as she cut her teeth working at leading trends publication Contagious. Her background is in journalism, but she moved into social media strategy during the pandemic and now loves helping brands, businesses and individuals elevate their social media presence, working with all platforms.
She’s also a huge advocate for never forcing anyone to dance on TikTok…
Independent experts that we like working with
Self Shooting Director & Cameraman - ex-BBC
Mikey is an all-round camera and directing talent. Working with Mikey is a joy - if we need to get brilliant film content in a nimble and agile way he’s the first person we call, as he has a way of working that’s modern in terms or speed and economy - but old school in terms of depth, storytelling and ability to get the best from the people in front of the camera.
He has 20 years of directing experience, in documentaries, branded content and broadcast television. He started off at the BBC making TV shows like Masterchef and The Apprentice before moving into directing documentaries working on subjects like mental health, addiction, gang crime and gender transitions.
In recent years he also covers London Fashion Week, which means he’s probably one of the only men who witnesses every single show of the week.
Over the years he’s filmed with everyone from ISIS to The Real Housewives, earning three Bafta nominations, a Royal Television Award and various other accolades.
He’s learning sign language to create film making more accessible.
“I think one of my best skills is being able to make people feel completely at ease in front of the camera & to help them tell their stories in an honest and thoughtful way, which I believe is core to making successful film”
More on Mikey here https://www.mikeytrotter.com/documentaries
Mike Trotter
Arts Consultant & Creative PR Specialist
Lee Sharrock is an Independent Arts Consultant, Creative PR Specialist, Curator and writer based in London with an international network in the creative industries.
Lee has curated many high profile exhibitions and charity auctions including; Arms Around the Child auction at Christie’s; ‘Art on a Postcard’ International Women’s Day Auction for the Hepatitis C Trust; ‘United For Change’ anti-racism art auction on Artnet, and Action for Brazil’s Children Art of Futebol exhibition and auction with Bonhams at the Embassy of Brazil.
During a career spanning 25 years, Lee has worked with high profile artists and organisations in the UK, Europe, USA and Asia including; Serviceplan Group, PRETTYBIRD, Varvara Roza Galleries, Bowman Sculpture, Guerin Projects, Blender Gallery, Misia-O’, LUAP, Ai WeiWei, Alexander Newley, Alison Jackson, Azerbaijan at la Biennale di Venezia, Bridget Riley, Christie's, Colnaghi, David Bailey, Derrick Santini, Free the Bid, Gavin Turk, Gazelli Art House, Guirado Estate, Kalliopi Lemos at Istanbul Biennial, Lee Scratch Perry, Miart Gallery, Maxim (The Prodigy), Moby, Peter Blake, Pure Evil, Photo Art Fair, Polish Cultural Institute, Scream, Sean Scully, Stuart Semple, Yoko Ono, Yurim Gough and 99 Projects.
Lee is a regular contributor to arts publications including; Artlyst, Artplugged, Creative Review and FAD Magazine, and her writing has also been published in Artdoc Photography Magazine, Baku Magazine, Shots, Soho House Magazine, State Magazine/ F22 and Vernissage TV.
Lee was Director of Global Creative PR for Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide for 6 years, leaving in September 2016 to set up her own creative PR and arts consultancy. She is a graduate of University College London and the University of Bologna where she studied Art History and Italian, and after graduating she worked at some of the most high profile arts institutions and advertising agencies including; Sotheby’s Auctioneer’s, Institute of Contemporary Arts, M&C Saatchi and Timothy Taylor Gallery.
