Our Team

Our team works across projects for Pickle Jar Communications and our sister company, Utterly Content, bringing a wealth of expertise and experience together.

Tracy Playle, Founder of Pickle Jar Communications

Tracy Playle

CEO 

Tracy set up Pickle Jar Communications in 2007 to share the power of social media and strategic communications with the education sector. She specialises in content strategy and developing creative content concepts, and has spoken at conferences all over the world.

Ellie

Ellie Lovell

Head of Strategy

When it comes to strategy development, Ellie has a wealth of experience. With insight into journalism, web management and online community management for large organisations, Ellie is well versed in everything digital from strategy to implementation.

Robert

Robert “Pez” Perry

Head of Research

Robert leads a number of research and insights projects at Pickle Jar Communications and is our specialist on providing meaningful insights. He also leads many content strategy and social media planning projects, along with community management work.

John Hill

Head of Content

A former journalist with more than ten years of newsdesk experience up and down the country, John has since branched out to explore the potential of telling stories with audio, video and social technologies. John leads on content creation for Pickle Jar.

Rachel Smith sitting in an orange chair at a desk

Rachel Smith

Senior Content Strategist

Rachel is experienced in delivering digital campaigns. She leads on content strategy projects and works with our retained clients to deliver engaging and compelling communications. Rachel also has experience working in-house at universities as well in an agency.

Altman

Altman Peng

Chinese Social Media Specialist

Altman is Pickle Jar’s expert on digital and social media communications in China, and he has completed a PhD on how social media is used in China. He is a font of knowledge for organisations looking to improve their approach in the Far East and is a native Mandarin speaker, too.

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Rosie Wowk

Content Strategist

Rosie excels at content planning, and making sure exciting ideas get beyond the daunting “draft” stage. Rosie works across a range of content strategy and social media planning projects, as well as helping with content planning, content creation and community management.

Louise Shaw sitting in an orange chair at a desk

Louise Shaw

Research Analyst

Louise is a recent graduate from Newcastle University. Working closely with our Head of Research, Louise will assist on all research activities, including planning and analysis, creating influencer maps and interpreting data. She also manages our social media and editorial calendar.

Martin Bojam

Director & Board Member

Marketing and advertising has been the focus of Martin’s career, taking leading roles in higher education agencies such as Rada, JWT, 360 and Penna for the last 17 years. Now semi-retired, Martin shares his expertise with the Pickle Jar team, advising on the running of the business.

Scout

Scout

Head of Security

Scout has been with Pickle Jar for four years. She is full of ambition (stealing food off high shelves), energy (charging off after tennis balls) and has solid communication skills (begging for cheese). Often found lurking near someone’s lunch or emptying bins.

Isla, a golden retriever dog, wearing a red tartan bow-tie with her paws on a wooden desk

Isla

Chief Barketing Officer

Although in the early stages of her career, Isla has come on leaps and bounds since working at Pickle Jar. Isla is an expert at chasing birds and aims to leave no bin unsniffed. When not providing stress relief for the team, she can be found napping in Scout’s basket, dreaming of her next meal.