Ryan Duffin
Milton Keynes,Milton Keynes
Summary
A media and live-music specialist who understands the industry from both sides of the stage. My background in journalism means I know exactly what makes a story pitchable, while my time in venue management and artist hospitality guarantees strong interpersonal skills and talent handling.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Venue Manager
MK11 Live Music and Sports Bar
Milton Keynes
01.2022 - 02.2026
- Directed cross-functional on-site teams—including security personnel, audio engineers, bar staff, and culinary professionals—to ensure seamless daily operations.
- Orchestrated event-day logistics, overseeing staging, equipment placement, and executing detailed event schedules to ensure successful execution of diverse functions.
- Acted as the primary point of contact for bands and performers, managing stage times, stage directions, technical walkthroughs and riders.
- Adapted rapidly to event-specific requirements, troubleshooting logistical issues in real-time to guarantee high-quality guest experiences.
- Spearheaded problem-solving during fast-paced events, leading staff and implementing calm, effective solutions to ever-changing challenges.
- Led strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and maximise venue revenue through effective partnership management and resource allocation.
- Promoted booked talent through multi-channel campaign strategies, increasing event visibility and driving ticket sales significantly.
- Partnered with artist management and agency teams to align digital marketing strategies, elevating venue visibility and ensuring consistent brand messaging.
- Dealt with an array of high profile acts, including The Libertines, The Zutons and Shaun Rider amongst many others.
BARTENDER
THE PRINCE GEORGE
01.2019 - 12.2021
- Utilised persuasion and sales abilities to effectively recommend drinks and meals, increasing customer satisfaction.
- Enhanced interpersonal verbal communication skills to improve customer interactions.
- Collaborated in fast-paced team environment to meet customer demands under pressure.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
MENKIND
01.2018 - 12.2018
- Aided customers with queries and issues, ensuring timely resolutions.
- Operated tills efficiently during busy store hours.
- Advertised new products at front of store, enhancing customer engagement.
INTERVIEWER
W. L. GORE AND ASSOCIATES
01.2017 - 12.2018
- Conducted interviews with guitar shops, both in person and over the phone, to gather insights on sales trends and factors influencing brand success.
- Collaborated with GORE, owner of Elixir Guitar strings, to travel across numerous UK towns and cities, interviewing guitar shop owners.
- Compiled interview data into organised documents for effective presentation and analysis by the company.
WRITER/REVIEWER
Bespoke Records
01.2017 - 12.2017
- Reviewed selected songs and albums, including popular new singles from established artists.
- Utilised Bespoke Records account on SubmitHub to evaluate music submissions, selecting standout musicians for review on the website.
- Managed content and site design for Bespoke Records website with admin privileges.
INTERVIEWER AND REVIEWER
THE ARGUS NEWSPAPER
01.2015 - 12.2017
- Interviewed local Brighton bands and artists and wrote feature articles around the local music scene
FEATURE WRITER, REVIEWER AND PR ASSISTANT
GIVE IT BACK MAGAZINE
01.2014 - 12.2017
- Wrote features on emerging Brighton bands and covered music scenes in the Czech Republic.
- Coordinated innovative PR campaigns for two Brighton bands, enhancing their visibility through Give It Back Magazine.
REVIEWER
MUSIC EYZ
01.2012 - 12.2014
- Wrote an array of reviews of new albums, singles and music videos by popular bands and artists.
BARTNEDER/KP/WAITER
SHENLEY WOOD EXTRACARE RETIREMENT
05.2014 - 09.2014
- Served alcohol to the residents of the village, as well as serving food from the Café.
- While a KP, I would do a lot of cleaning as well as delivering food to residents’ tables/rooms.
- Evening shifts would have me closing the bar by myself, making sure the building is secure, locked and clean every night.
Cashier/Sales Assistant
Homebase
Milton Keynes
01.2014 - 05.2014
- Serving Customers and dealing with their requests, queries and complaints.
- Cash handling on the checkout and in the cashing up of tills.
Education
BA (Hons) - Music Journalism
University of Sussex
01-2018
GCSE's - inc Maths & English
The Hazeley Academy
Milton Keynes01-2007
Skills
- Editorial Copywriting
- Social Media Management
- Computer Software Versatility
- Interpersonal Communication
- Artist Narrative Crafting
- Writing
- Research
- Organizational Skills
- Bartending
- Serving
- Busser
- Time Management
- Customer Service
- Venue operations
- Talent promotion
- Team leadership
- Relationship management
- Positive attitude
- Digital marketing
Personal Information
Willing To Relocate: 1
Timeline
Venue Manager
MK11 Live Music and Sports Bar
01.2022 - 02.2026
BARTENDER
THE PRINCE GEORGE
01.2019 - 12.2021
CUSTOMER SERVICE
MENKIND
01.2018 - 12.2018
INTERVIEWER
W. L. GORE AND ASSOCIATES
01.2017 - 12.2018
WRITER/REVIEWER
Bespoke Records
01.2017 - 12.2017
INTERVIEWER AND REVIEWER
THE ARGUS NEWSPAPER
01.2015 - 12.2017
BARTNEDER/KP/WAITER
SHENLEY WOOD EXTRACARE RETIREMENT
05.2014 - 09.2014
FEATURE WRITER, REVIEWER AND PR ASSISTANT
GIVE IT BACK MAGAZINE
01.2014 - 12.2017
Cashier/Sales Assistant
Homebase
01.2014 - 05.2014
REVIEWER
MUSIC EYZ
01.2012 - 12.2014
BA (Hons) - Music Journalism
University of Sussex
GCSE's - inc Maths & English
The Hazeley Academy