How I Got Here: Daily Mail’s Head of US Communications Nicole Bamber leads with impact

Nicole Bamber, head of US communications at the Daily Mail, began her communications career in the heart of Hollywood’s entertainment industry. As she was building her comms chops, she contributed to award campaigns for some of the most renowned film and television projects of that era – iconic productions like Mad Men, Breaking Bad, The Social Network, and The Walking Dead. 

She also collaborated on a diverse range of foreign films and engaged with organizations such as the Art Directors Guild. “From this initial experience, I gained valuable insights into the entertainment industry, setting the stage for my professional development and shaping my comprehension of its intricacies,” Bamber told Ragan.

Her communications expertise spans North America, EMEA, APAC, and LATAM.

Bamber also carves out time for her adventures, often in places where cell service and Wi-Fi are nonexistent, allowing her to fully immerse herself in the experience—whether she’s exploring the Exumas by boat or the French Polynesia by jet ski.

The moment I’m proudest of in my entire career is when I: 

 During my time as Director of Global Communications at Paramount, our team undertook a uniquely challenging yet profoundly rewarding project: Cher & The Loneliest Elephant. The central focus of the project was rescuing Kavaan, the titular loneliest elephant, from Islamabad, Pakistan, where he had been kept in terrible conditions for 35 years and without his deceased mate for eight years. Our objective was to airlift Kavaan to a wildlife sanctuary in Cambodia, which is as difficult as it sounds, especially when you take into account that it all took place in the midst of the 2020 pandemic. To achieve this, my team had to facilitate the reopening of a previously closed airport and secure an aircraft free of charge to airlift the 100-ton Kavaan to freedom. For a multitude of reasons, I take immense pride in this accomplishment. 

The most underrated skill in my profession is: 

Active listening. Active listening is crucial in fostering meaningful relationships and effective communication. It’s not just about hearing the words, but also engaging with the person who’s speaking. 

By paying attention to both verbal and nonverbal cues, you can better understand the speaker’s perspective and build a deeper connection with them. Active listening can help resolve conflicts and build trust, as it demonstrates that you value the other person’s thoughts and feelings. 

One way I stay creative and motivated is by: 

Unplugging and immersing myself in new environments. During unplugged moments, whether it’s while traveling, hiking in nature, biking along the Hudson on the West Side Highway, or even during a staycation, I find that my mind is free to wander and explore. This allows me to tap into my creativity and recharge my motivation.  

The key to excellence in storytelling is:  

Understanding who and where your audience is and taking a multi-platform approach. By identifying your target audience’s demographics, interests, and preferred platforms, you can tailor your content to resonate with them. This multi-platform approach involves repurposing and adapting your content into different formats across all platforms.  

The toughest moment in my career was:  

Early on in my career, I spent three months living in Mexico teaching the local government how best to leverage social media and volunteering to build a preschool – all while trying to use my limited grasp of the Spanish language. While it was a difficult task and pushed me far from my comfort zone, it was also one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. I had the unique opportunity to embrace a new culture, test my Spanish skills, and play soccer with the local preschoolers until the sun went down.  

A lesson I learned the hard way is: 

 Impact over intention. While intentions might be good, the impact of a decision, statement, or action is surprisingly more important. This is because the impact of our words and actions can have far-reaching consequences that we may not have anticipated. It is essential to consider the potential impact of our choices before we make them, as even the smallest actions can have a ripple effect. 

Isis Simpson-Mersha is a conference producer/ reporter for Ragan. Follow her on LinkedIn.