TV has been my Constant

Ahead of Monday’s IMAGE Networking Breakfast, Darren Kennedy talks?about his career, his passions and how he’s quick to step out of his comfort zone…

What were your early career ambitions?

Honestly, I wanted to be a vet. My passion has always been for nature and animals, but I’m really squeamish, so that was never going to work. I never planned on working in fashion. I was interested in style and aesthetic, and in media, but I knew I didn’t want to do any comms courses. I had a desire to live in Paris, so I decided to study International Business and Languages – French and Spanish.

How did you get your break in TV?

?From the absolute bottom up! I started as a runner on Ireland AM while I was in college. Since then I’ve worked in all areas of TV, as a runner, a researcher, a floor manager (not many people know that!), a presenter and a producer. About 5 years ago, I was stage manager at the People of the Year awards, looking after Mary McAleese; it was an incredible experience. I guess TV has always been my constant, all the different tangents to my work come back to TV.?

The DK x LC collection with Louis Copeland. How did that come about?

?I guess this one came about because I wanted to push myself to do something different that I hadn’t already done; to learn something new. I saw a gap in the Irish menswear market, somewhere between high street and high end that involved a modern silhouette. I approached Louis because he was the best in the business and I’m thrilled I did so because it’s gone so well. It’s exceeded my hopes.

When was the last time you went out of your comfort zone? What was it that you were doing?

?I never really think of it, and I guess I don’t look on it as that. But I like to keep pushing myself. It’s in my nature to try different things; it keeps me interested and motivated.?

Do you still blog?

?Absolutely. I started helpmystyle.ie at an interesting time, about seven years ago. It was a great medium for me when I really didn’t have another outlet. And while I now have a team who helps me with it ??and editor and writers, I’m always on it myself, adding and updating things.?

Any tips for bloggers who want to get a career from it?

?This is an interesting one, as I see what’s going on in the UK and US and as a medium, I wonder if things are beginning to reach saturation point? I think blogs are great when you use them in conjunction with a skill, to promote your point of difference. You have to blog with the right intentions – it’s not good enough to just want to do it for free stuff and invitations to launches. Well, you can do so, but that’s where it will end. You won’t be able to grow a blog without something that’s unique to you.?

Darren will speak at the next IMAGE Networking Breakfast in the Marker Hotel on Monday, December 8. Tickets are just €45 and can be purchased here.For more information on the event, email business@image.ie,call 01 271 9616 or click here.

When: 7:30am – 10am, Monday, December 8

Where: The Marker Hotel, Grand Canal Square, Dublin 2

Tickets: €45 each

*** Stop Press ***

Christmas treats for all at the Networking Breakfast!

We have a special gift from Molton Brown, thanks to Arnotts for each attendee, along with a voucher for a breakfast blowdry at Dylan Bradshaw’s stunning South William Street salon. Plus No 7 seasonal beauty booty and a few other little surprises to get the festive season going. What’s more, one smart Twitter winner will get an overnight stay for 2 with dinner at Longueville House in Mallow, Co Cork thanks to Ireland’s Blue Book. And as a special Christmas bonus, three lucky folk will get annual membership to the Airport Club, allowing unlimited use of the Fast Track for the whole of 2015. Nice.

In partnership with Arnotts, KBC and ?No. 7.