quick links

the converse team

Converse is made up of a number of results driven PR practitioners, designers and photographers.

Donal Doherty– Director

Public Relations Consultant Donal Doherty, founded Converse Group in 2006 with the launch of Converse Communications and concentrates on agency development in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. He went on to launch the North West’s first modelling agency, Converse Models in February 2008, the North West’s first fashion week, Foyle Fashion Week in July 2008 and the first Northern Irish small business podcast, Converse Business in August 2008.

An international management graduate, Donal gained his MA in four years in Edinburgh and Sweden. During that time he interned at MAPA International, a Management Consultancy advising leading financial institutions such as Direct Line, Nationwide, The AA and Halifax on their online communications.

Following graduation Donal worked with journalists and athletes when handling media relations at the Olympic Games in Athens. He then joined leading Belfast public relations agency, Life Communications, working on PR for Specsavers 47 stores across Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. At the agency, Donal also worked on several other high-profile accounts such as PepsiCo, Walkers, Cable & Wireless, Downtown / CoolFM and Safeway, amongst others.

Donal then moved in-house working for serviced office provider, Abbey Business Centres in London, with responsibility for Marketing, PR and the company’s database for their portfolio of offices across the UK. Highlights include working on the launch of Abbey’s flagship office in London’s St Mary Axe (more affectionately known as the Gherkin).

Since forming Converse Communications he has worked with a range of clients, from helping Australian soap stars to promote their latest show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, to working with the tourist industry in the North West, Donal continues to deliver innovative promotional solutions for a range of leading brands.

The public relations consultant is currently working towards a MSC in Communication, Advertising and Public Relations at the University of Ulster. Last year he joined the CIPR, the PR industry body, as an Associate.

A qualified photographer, Donal can also accommodate photographic requirements and is the principal photographer for Converse Models.

Donal listens to Coldplay almost all the time, much to the consternation of his colleagues!

Gráinne Devine - PUBLIC RELATIONS AND BOOKING EXECUTIVE

The PR and Bookings Executive is a University of Ulster graduate with a degree in Communication and Public Relations.

She has carved a niche for herself in fashion PR through her work with Glamour magazine and her work on Converse's lifestyle and fashion clients. Highlights so far with Converse include having the opportunity to attend fashion weeks across the UK and Ireland, and being involved in the production of the North West’s first ever fashion week to take place in September.

In addition to her PR work, Gráinne heads up Converse Models, managing bookings and development of the agency and the models.

She describes herself as a slave to fashion with an addiction to shoes. She aims to become a well-known figure in the world of fashion PR and events management.

KATHERINE MURRAy - PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSISTANT

A Business and Marketing graduate from Brunel University, London, Katherine is currently completing a Masters in Fashion Marketing at the London College of Fashion. A veteran of London Fashion Week. Katherine has worked for designer Jens Laugesen and has helped
establish STITCH a Fashion and Textile Cluster in the North West. The PR Assistant has an addiction to shopping and dreams of one day travelling the world and starting up her own fashion label. Katherine works on the day-to-day organising of Foyle Fashion Week.

CARISSA COYLE - PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSISTANT

Carissa has interned with the BBC and the Northern Media Group and is currently working towards a Bsc in Public Relations at Jordanstown. Carissa works on PR and Foyle Fashion Week, managing Fashion Academy. She is passionate about rose wine and fast cars, but not at the same time of course!

LISA GALLAGHER - PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSISTANT

Lisa has a passion for fashion and a love for music and the media. The PR assistant has previously worked with Joe Gallagher Entertainments and is current working towards a Bsc in Public Relations at Jordanstown. She supports the PR and modelling team and plans to travel down under one day.

GRAINNE DEVINE - GRAPHIC DESIGN ASSISTANT

The Graphic Design Assistant studied Interactive Media Design at NWIFHE, before continuing on to Napier University, Edinburgh. Loves shopping and fashion and wants to continue into a career as a designer working on the Foyle Fashion Week magazine, design for Converse Communications and photoshop for Converse Models. Her dream is to one work as a designer on a fashion magazine. Wilhelmina Slater of the future!

Derry / Londonderry based PR Agency delivering innovative promotional solutions for the North West and beyond.