Ben Fitchett
Creative Strategist, Sling & Stone, Los Angeles
Bachelor of Communication Studies in Public Relations with a minor in Creative Entrepreneurship
When Ben Fitchett was a teenager, he loved watching the Met Gala and dreamt of one day walking that staircase himself. Little did he know that less than a decade later he would find himself working as a public relations professional in LA, with high-profile events now his daily bread.
“I’ve always had the goal of doing big things with my professional career. As a teenager, I’d always watched the Met Gala and had this dream of walking that staircase. It wasn't until I was at AUT that I had this lightbulb moment – I was writing an assignment on Ariana Grande’s God Is A Woman music video – that made me realise you really can combine your passions with your career. From that moment on, I committed myself to pursuing a career in publicity that would get me on that staircase. And look at me now, I live in LA!”
As a creative strategist for PR agency Sling & Stone, he helps to tell the stories of the brands that are changing the way we live and work.
“At the heart of it, my job really is being a storyteller. I help unearth, shape and craft stories on behalf of businesses of all sizes – from startups through to established companies – to tell the stories that help them grow within their industry. This could be anything from business announcements, to customer data stories, to hosting events or launching new products.
“I get to work with some fascinating companies that are disrupting traditional industries. Most recently, I worked with a company called AmazeVR, which is ushering in the future of live entertainment. I got to help launch T-Pain’s first-ever VR concert and was on site for the filming of media interviews between him, CNN and Rolling Stone. That was a real pinch me moment. Oh, and once, a story I worked on with a reporter from The Washington Post was published on the front page of the print newspaper. That was pretty cool!”
Memories of AUT
Ben says he first became interested in communication studies because of his love of radio.
“In high school, I really wanted to become a radio presenter, in fact, I specifically wanted to become the next Ryan Seacrest. I had such an immense love for music and popular culture, and becoming a radio host meant I could combine both of those.”
This passion would soon see him head to AUT and enrol in a Bachelor of Communication Studies.
“I decided to come to AUT for my studies because I loved how hands-on you could get in the communications degree. While I really wanted to do radio, I thought it was awesome that I could also get a taste of all the other majors in the first year. I’m thankful for that too, because I ended up walking out doing public relations!
“I just loved how the communications degree really let our creative imagination run wild and we were never short of moments to truly feel inspired. I particularly remember my third year at AUT when as public relations students we were able to get involved with a local charity to run a mock PR campaign. At the time we had an absolute blast as it felt the closest to being in the field. Somewhere I still have the press release I wrote for the assignment and I must admit my present self cringes when reading it.”
Advice for other students
Ben, who graduated from AUT in 2021, has some great advice for other students.
“Don’t underestimate the control you have to steer your own career. Explore every avenue to intertwine your passions with your future and take every opportunity that’s available to you.”
It's important to get out of your comfort zone, he adds.
“Definitely don’t live in the comfort zone – as soon as you step out of it life will become exciting!”
