What is your name and job title?
Megan Mc Dermott, Technical Production Coordination Lead, EMEA @Meta
How would you describe your job to someone outside of the industry?
As the Lead Coordinator for EMEA, I mentor and coach a talented team of 3 Coordinators across 5 markets covering Dublin, London, Paris, Tel Aviv and Dubai. I act as one of the main POC’s for the regional market for all clients requesting Onsite Event support. I develop the EMEA Technical Production Coordination teams processes and workflows, ensuring the department is working in an efficient manner, while collaborating with the Global OP Coordination Supervisor to ensure global consistency. I am the dedicated Coordinator for the Paris and Dublin Market too managing all incoming Onsite requests to ensure they are in line with our policies and manage client expectations. I help to provide strategic insight to emerging markets and make recommendations to leadership for how to support service requests. Our team work hard across over 1,000 incoming requests per year, so we are always kept on our toes.
How did you get into what you do now?
I always loved Production and organising events from a young age. However, I worked for a year in New York as a studio manager for two famous fashion photographers – working with Madonna, Kanye West, Kendal Jenner and Gigi Hadid. Once my visa was up I moved to London for 2 years Producing London, Milan and New York Fashion Weeks for the likes of Chanel, Gucci, Acne and Valentino and organising advertising/editorial shoots for Vogue and some of the biggest names in fashion. When I moved home to Dublin, I wanted to move into another industry so working for Dreamtek @Meta was a dream come true.
How has the industry changed since you started?
Since Covid happened it changed the events landscape as we know it, there will now always be a virtual world and I don’t think that will ever go away. Innovation and technology has forced us to pivot and adapt to a new way of working.
What is your favourite part of your job?
Working across different cultures with a variety of people who are so talented and experts in their field. No day is ever the same and the types of events I manage are all so different too, it keeps it interesting.
How do you manage your time?
This is a very important part of the job as I Coordinate over hundreds of events each month. I put blockers in my calendar to action my work, I have a detailed to do list to help me stay on top of everything and ensure I don’t have too many meetings one on top of another.
What do you do at work on a daily basis?
I manage inbound event requests from hosts across EMEA, assign teams on events and manage scheduling, manage a team of 3 Coordinators and have preproduction meetings with event hosts to prep for their events.
What advice do you have for someone new to the industry?
It will take about 6 months to get to really know the role and it’s forever changing and evolving which makes it very exciting!
What hard skills should someone in your field have?
Microsoft suite and another language is always useful.
What soft skills should someone in your field have?
Communication is key for working across so many events and teams,time management to work through a heavy workload and definitely organisation to be results driven.
Is there a quote that motivates you?
If you can dream it, you can do it
Who inspires you?
My cousin Emer was awarded an OBE from the Queen for her work, she’s a very successful female leader for me and has worked hard to get to where she is.
Tell us something that people don’t know about you…
I was the first person in Ireland to meet Kings of Leon when they came here to play, I searched a few pubs to find them and eventually found them in the 4 seasons hotel. I got to meet them all and their wives and made the newspapers which was funny.
What is your favourite food?
Pizza!
