We’re excited to welcome a new Content Coordinator to our team: Anna Swafford! As a recent graduate from the University of Oklahoma with both her undergraduate degree in public relations and her Master’s in strategic communication and with two years of agency experience, we know she’ll be a valuable asset to our team! Growing up a writer and lover of anything artistic, she knew a creative pursuit was in the cards for her, leading Anna to choose a career in public relations and marketing where she can craft engaging and dynamic narratives for her clients.
What’s on your desk?
One thing about me is that I love color, which is why I have mason jars filled with multicolor pens and highlighters within reach at all times. You can usually find my bullet journal, filled with my weekly to-do lists and other colorful pages coordinating my life, sitting beside my laptop ready for me to cross off the next task. Most importantly, I always have a cup of coffee sitting next to my emotional support water bottle. Whether it’s a hot coffee to wake me up in the morning or a fun iced latte from Eôté, I love a caffeinated beverage to keep me company throughout the day.
What are some of your hobbies?
As a writer, I’ve always been a reader. I’ll read anything I can get my hands on–from high fantasy novels to memoirs to a cheesy romcom. The best feeling is when a good book sucks you in and all of the sudden you look up and it’s been hours but you only have a hundred pages left so you might as well finish the book then. I also really enjoy grounding myself with pilates, yoga or a good barre class. I grew up dancing, and I’ve found that staying active with those makes both my body and mind happy. I also adore spending time with my friends, whether working on our latest scheme or laughing together during a night in.
What are you reading/listening to/watching right now?
This year, I’ve read several incredible books including “The Poppy War” trilogy by R. F. Kuang (I’m making my way through her repertoire of novels), “The Pairing” by Casey McQuiston and “Alone With You in the Ether” by Olivie Blake. Like so many, I’m also a massive fan of Sarah J. Maas and the Throne of Glass series. When asked what my favorite music genre is, I used to respond “I’ll listen to anything as long as it’s good.” I stand by that but recently there’s been a lot of pop/indie pop on my Spotify playlists. My current favorite artists are Noah Kahan, Taylor Swift, Hozier and Maggie Rogers.
Favorite vacation destination?
When I was 16 I was lucky enough to explore Italy and journey across many of its cities. While I would be ecstatic to venture through any of Italy again, one city stood on its own above the others for me: Florence. Before my trip, I expected the Venetian canals and masquerade lore to be my peak of the trip, but wandering around Florence, hearing local buskers play live jazz and seeing the yellow lights of the city reflect on the river was pure magic aflame for me. You obviously can’t talk about Florence without talking about its incredible artwork throughout the city, from the architecture to sculptures around the city to the art in its museums. It’s my favorite place!
Tell us about your pets.
I have two dogs, Dude and Toby! My childhood dog, Dude, acts like a stereotypical surfer bro and is always smiling. Toby, my roommate’s rescue I help co-parent, is the sweetest and sleepiest little boy that loves when we get to work from home.
What did you want to be when you were little? How did you get your start in PR?
I always wanted to be an author. There were brief intermissions when I was convinced I was going to be the next Van Gogh or Monet (those were quickly shot down when I wasn’t immediately on their levels artistically), but being an author was always in the back of my mind. By the time it was time for me to decide what major I wanted to focus on in college, all I knew was that I wanted to write and tell stories but that being a full-time author maybe wasn’t the most lucrative career for someone starting out, so I decided to pursue PR since I would be able to exercise my writing and creative muscles in my daily work for a variety of clients. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll write my novel!
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