In Conversation With... Henry Crabtree
For #WorldMarketingDay, we sat down with our Marketing Assistant, Henry Crabtree. From posters to brochures to gliding around the building overseeing print, no two days look the same for Henry, so read on for an insight into what he gets up to.
Written by Henry Crabtree
Describe a day in the life of a Marketing Assistant.
I find I work best when I have a routine. Although this can be challenging to implement in a fast-paced environment with multiple and evolving priorities, I try to stick to a rough schedule to help manage my workload. Typically, mornings are spent in meetings, both internal and external, and I try to get through my most pressing emails before lunch. I tend to reserve my afternoons for larger projects: building and scheduling emails to send out to our mailing lists, creating custom graphics and in-house print, etc. I also try to factor in a good chunk of time each week to manage our print stores at both Leeds Grand Theatre and City Varieties Music Hall. It’s a hard job but someone has to do it! And that someone is me.
Factor in some time during each work day to ask my coworkers pressing and professional questions such as “What kind of fruit are you?” or “How many fried eggs do you think you could eat in one go?” and that’s my day in a nutshell! For those curious: I’m an orange and I think if pushed, 25 fried eggs. (Editor’s note: I can confirm that these pressing questions come up often, and are always brilliant.)
What three skills do you think are most important in your role?
Boldness: the ability to take risks and face challenges head-on.
Understanding: I find that my job gets a lot easier when I take a step back and try to understand projects from multiple points of view.
Attention to detail: it’s important to have an eye for detail in this role, a large part of my role is proof-reading and signing off external designers’ work.
Henry, gazing wistfully at the magic of theatre.
What has been the highlight (to date) of your time at Leeds Heritage Theatres?
Personally, I love a school trip. I jump at any opportunity to go on an adventure, whether it’s press nights at neighbouring theatres or conferences with other arts marketing professionals – I’ll be there with bells on.
What is the most challenging thing about your role?
Working with dozens of brilliant promoters is both the most rewarding and most challenging part of my job. Each show requires a personally tailored approach to suit varied budgets and goals. Keeping track of what needs to happen and when can prove difficult, but luckily I have a really supportive and experienced team to rely on when things get overwhelming.
Also, we sometimes run out of posh coffee pods.
What advice would you give to anyone thinking about working in a similar role?
Never just “work through lunch”. You (I) will get crabby and you (I) will be unable to stop thinking about crisps.
Henry's always carrying heavy things. Very strong.
Henry’s favourite things
Favourite venue – The Grand, The Varieties, Hyde Park? Why?
I studied film at university and my background is in community action and arts, so I have a bit of a soft spot for Hyde Park Picture House. I’m a huge fan of their programming and commitment to accessibility.
Favourite show/act/film you have seen at one of our venues?
As I tell anyone that will listen, I recently started contemporary dance classes. I am quite rubbish, but have been bitten by the dance bug. I’m so impressed by Northern Ballet productions, and can’t help but think that perhaps in an alternate timeline, I’d be on stage beside those supremely talented dancers. If only I’d have started younger and exercised regularly and ate more fruit and vegetables and could touch my toes without bending my knees.
Favourite thing to do in your spare time?
I’ve somehow wound up with quite a busy life. At my core, however, I am a lazy person. A mill around the shops, a sit in the sun, maybe a chip butty? This is my idea of a very nice day out.
What would you be doing if not in your current role?
Pop Star/astronaut/ice cream taster/retiree.
In the spirit of your deeply serious questions in the office, I have a couple. First – what three objects would you want with you on a deserted island?
Steve Backshall (as seen on CBBC’s Deadly 60), sun cream and a crossbow.
You stumble upon an alien – what is the first thing you say to them?
What kind of fruit are you?
The fruits of Henry's labour - a print site at Leeds Grand Theatre.
This is how Henry spends most of his time; looking at print.
