Apr 3, 2017
Laura Murray studied dance for 18 years before she enrolled in Langara’s journalism diploma program. Even as a dancer, she had always been passionate about writing and hoped that one day she could combine her love for the arts with her writing skills. Her decision to study journalism at Langara was strategic.
“I knew that one day I would want to marry my passion for dance and art with something to do with writing and I also felt like the skillset I would learn at langara in the journalism program, I could easily move that into marketing or into a career in PR,” she says.
Today, Murray runs a “one stop shop” agency offering marketing and communication services to arts organizations. The founder of Murray Paterson Marketing Group, Murray was named one of Business in Vancouver’s 2016 top business leaders under age 40.
Murray’s path to success has been wild and full of hard work. During her final year at Langara she spent many hours reaching out to arts editors in Vancouver and inquiring about opportunities. Soon after she graduated, she got assigned a piece by the Vancouver Sun. Then she got a call from Janet Smith, arts editor at the Georgia Straight.
“She asked if I would be interested in writing dance reviews,” says Murray. “I honestly couldn't believe my good fortune, it was quite a remarkable experience to be mentored from somebody I had admired from afar.”
The transition into marketing came gradually for Murray. While freelancing as a journalist she worked part time as a publicist for Ballet BC and in 2011 she founded her own public relations agency. Her mandate was and still is to work exclusively with arts and cultural organizations.
“To solely work in the arts community,” says Murray, “and be working with a multifaceted list of artists from every discipline is truly a dream come true.”
This profile is part of a new project - Langara Chats: Alumni to Alumni stories. Profile and video produced by Journalism graduate, Tessa Vikander.
In 2017, Laura was recognized by Business in Vancouver on their 40 under 40 list.