Experience

Spotlight YOPD (Registered Charity UK)

• United Kingdom
• Information Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Spotlight YOPD Patron, Advocate and Activist

  • Aug 2023 - Present

• Founder Registered Charity

  • Jan 2016 - Aug 2023

  Spotlight YOPD is a UK-based charity with a global reach – looking to raise awareness of Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease and provide support to those living with the condition at a younger age. Gaynor has a close working relationship with The Cure Parkinson's Trust and is newsletter editor for their Parkinson's Movement brand. Spotlight YOPD is a partner of the WPC, and member of both the Neurological Alliance and the Genetic Alliance. Gaynor was diagnosed in October 2012 with Young Onset Parkinson's at the age of 42. A former journalist and PR/marketing bod, she is keen to change the image of Parkinson's. Show less



Ozone Creative

• Rye, Tunbridge Wells

• Owner

  • Feb 2013 - Jul 2020

  PR, Marketing and Editorial Consultant. Ozone Creative is a PR, marketing and publishing consultancy based in Tunbridge Wells and Rye – serving clients in Kent, Sussex and London. Run by Gaynor Edwards – a former editor and journalist – it places an emphasis on delivering quality, relevant content in all client communications. With over 20 years’ experience in the media sector, Gaynor’s areas of expertise include: Public Relations, Marketing – both online and offline, Brand Identity, Advertising, Contract Publishing, Brand Journalism, Content Delivery, Advertising Copywriting and Event Management. Gaynor has a hands-on approach at Ozone Creative – personally dealing with the majority of work for a select group of clients. Where she is unable to provide a skill or manage a project personally, she outsources to a trusted contacts book of creative associates. Show less



Torpedo Juice Ltd

• Tunbridge Wells

• Founding Director

  • Jul 2005 - Feb 2013

  Gaynor founded Torpedo Juice Ltd as an ethical PR and Marketing company back in July 2005; new to Tunbridge Wells having returned from working in southern Spain. The name came about after several bottles of wine. Later, in 2009, joined by two further directors, the company operated as a full-service creative agency based in The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells. Within the company, Gaynor specialised in client liaison, PR, traditional marketing, print design and copywriting. She resigned as a director in February 2013 for personal reasons. Show less



Stuff & Good Sense

• The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells

• Director

  • May 2011 - Dec 2012

  Stuff & Good Sense was a vintage store, located on the shopfloor above Torpedo Juice's basement offices on The Pantiles, in the historic part of Tunbridge Wells. The shop – predominantly selling '50s, '60s and '70s homewares and furniture – was designed to look like 'Granny's front room', assuming she had impeccable taste in original vintage pieces. Brands stocked included Whitefrairs, Meakin, Midwinter, G-Plan, Ercol and many other of the biggest names of the day. In the background Doris Day sang about telling it 'to the the golden daffodils' from a Dynatron Radiogram. Meanwhile, Jimmy Stewart had a conversation with a large, invisible rabbit as 'Harvey' was screened in an original '50s TV cabinet. The shop was created from a culmination of Gaynor's passion for vintage and a desire to add to The Pantiles' retail offering (including the Vintage Fair) with a new quirky, independent store. The first-hand experience of retail and being able to experiment with branding, packaging and displays - without having to take on board client wishes was fascinating. Lessons learned will be used in future projects. Sadly Stuff & Good Sense – one of the grooviest retailers in town – had to close when Torpedo Juice ended their lease. Show less



Association of Pantiles Traders

• The Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Wells

• Marketing Manager

  • Jan 2009 - Dec 2012

  With Torpedo Juice having relocated to The Pantiles - the historic heart of Tunbridge Wells and an area Gaynor had always loved - she volunteered to join the committee. Only under the leadership of new chair Richard Simm did she get to play an active role - helping devise, launch, organise and publicise events. The first significant event, organised by The Pantiles Traders, was the inaugural Food Festival - held in May 2011. Gaynor helped to create the centrepiece of the event, an alfresco demo kitchen on the bandstand, and invited and scheduled chefs to appear. The first event having proven a success, Gaynor worked on the next year's Food & Drink Festival, securing sponsorship and a more extensive programme of chef demos. She also took a leading role in organising a Vintage Fair - with extensive entertainment - in 2011 and 2012 and a 1940s Festival. All seemed well received by the public. Gaynor handled PR and marketing for all APT events on The Pantiles during this period. Show less



MeejaHub

• Tunbridge Wells

• Founder Member

  • Oct 2008 - Dec 2012

  Having launched Torpedo Juice Ltd as a home-based business, Gaynor began to receive speculative job applications and offers of freelance work from copy writers, photographers and designer. All were based in Tunbridge Wells or surrounding areas and most, seemingly, were also based at home and working alone. She also knew of several journalists who worked on the nationals, commuting from TW. Equidistant from the two 'media hubs' of London and Brighton, it appeared that TW was also rich in creative and media professionals. In conversation with a fellow journalist and a web designer at a general networking group, the three decided to join forces and launch a group dedicated to media and creative professionals. This was a departure from many of the established networking outfits, who had a 'no competition' policy of allowing only one person employed within each trade. Rather than competitive, the founders saw a media networking group more likely to be collaborative - which it subsequently proved to be. Featuring both online and offline networking, at the time Gaynor resigned as an organiser, the membership was in excess of 550. As well as the monthly meetings, MeejaHub had sponsored and supported local events and co-hosted local exhibitions. Having a high-profile within the media community, members were invited to take part in council meetings at both borough and regional level - and were invited to collaborate with Kent-wide media groups. Often mentioned in their economic plans and documents, Meejahub also secured funding from the borough council - initially with MeejaHub being approached by the Economic Development Officer. ;-) Show less



Peppermint (Marbella)

• Marbella, Spain - and remotely from UK

• Freelance Copywriter

  • Nov 2004 - Sep 2005

  Initially working from Spain and later remotely on her return to the UK, Gaynor was the main copywriter for new Costa del Sol-based Peppermint Design & Creative Agency. The agency now has a branch in the UK and in other European locations. Her role included writing and editing brochures, websites, newsletters, advertisements and other marketing materials. Initially working from Spain and later remotely on her return to the UK, Gaynor was the main copywriter for new Costa del Sol-based Peppermint Design & Creative Agency. The agency now has a branch in the UK and in other European locations. Her role included writing and editing brochures, websites, newsletters, advertisements and other marketing materials.



Media Machine (Marbella)

• Marbella, Spain

• Account Manager

  • Jul 2004 - May 2005

  Gaynor worked for Media Machine, Marbella's leading PR agency, supplying copy and materials to local, national and international media. A bi-lingual agency, Media Machine was owned and run by English directors; Gaynor dealt predominantly with the ex-pat client base. The role involved writing press releases, brochure text, magazine copy and scripting radio ads, along with client and media liaison. Gaynor worked for Media Machine, Marbella's leading PR agency, supplying copy and materials to local, national and international media. A bi-lingual agency, Media Machine was owned and run by English directors; Gaynor dealt predominantly with the ex-pat client base. The role involved writing press releases, brochure text, magazine copy and scripting radio ads, along with client and media liaison.



Various Titles (Spain and UK)

• Marbella

• Freelance Journalist

  • Apr 2004 - Jul 2004

  Gaynor contributed lifestyle features to several English language publications within Spain and travel features to UK-based publications. At this time Gaynor also worked on the pilot issue of Eco, a magazine targetted at the new bi-lingual market who were discovering Tarifa as a tourist destination. Gaynor contributed lifestyle features to several English language publications within Spain and travel features to UK-based publications. At this time Gaynor also worked on the pilot issue of Eco, a magazine targetted at the new bi-lingual market who were discovering Tarifa as a tourist destination.



Southern Daily Echo

• Southampton

• Supplements Design Sub Editor and Music Writer

  • Feb 2002 - Feb 2004

  Pretty much doing what it says on the tin, Gaynor worked as a layout sub within the Supplements department of this daily regional paper. The role included, where necessary, rewriting features, writing headlines, designing fashion spreads, editing various 'non-news' columns, sections and supplements. Subject matter spanned Business News to Baby Of The Year. She also edited Hampshire Brides annual publication, while in the role. With a background in music press, Gaynor was also invited to write and edit the greater part of the music section in the paper's entertainment/ What's On supplement. As a university town, Southampton had a number of live music venues. Most interviews were conducted on the telephone. Having made herself available for a number of press trips, Gaynor also wrote several travel features during this time. Show less



CAREER BREAK

• Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia

• Travelling

  • Jul 2000 - Aug 2001

  I had a rather lovely time. I had a rather lovely time.



Various

• London, United Kingdom

• Freelance Journalist

  • Nov 1996 - Jun 2000

  Features Editor, Music and Media, part of the Billboard Group. Editor, Great Eastern Special, railway company customer magazine. Layout sub, Video Home Entertainment. Layout sub, Music and Media. Advertising sales manager, Pell-Mell and Woodcote, house journal of the Royal Automobile Club (Editor – Dennis Hackett). Project Manager, Andre Deutsch book publishers. Researcher and writer of books on popular culture for Northdown Publishing and Omnibus Press. Working with a company of design and editorial consultants, Gaynor was invited to present publishing/marketing ideas and solutions to various corporations and organisations. Show less



DC Publications

• London, United Kingdom

• Editor/Publisher

  • Jun 1995 - Oct 1998

  Gaynor was integral in the launch and creation of this new company - specialising in customer magazines and contract publishing. Editor, Video Update, WH Smith Editor/Publisher, Emporium, James Beattie plc Project manager, series of gift books, Andre Deutsch Gaynor was integral in the launch and creation of this new company - specialising in customer magazines and contract publishing. Editor, Video Update, WH Smith Editor/Publisher, Emporium, James Beattie plc Project manager, series of gift books, Andre Deutsch



East Herts Publishing

• Welwyn Garden City

• Production Editor/Editor

  • Jun 1989 - May 1995

  Editor/Production Editor, For The Record, EHP’s own trade music monthly. Editor/Launch Editor, Video Update, WH Smith. Editor, Privileged View, UK Gold. Editor/Production Editor, For The Record, EHP’s own trade music monthly. Editor/Launch Editor, Video Update, WH Smith. Editor, Privileged View, UK Gold.