Leadership is about empowering others, fostering inclusivity, and driving change that benefits everyone, not just a select few. It’s about listening to diverse voices, amplifying underrepresented perspectives, and using your platform to create long-term, sustainable solutions for the greater good.
As part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Pablo O’Hana.
Pablo O’Hana is one of Britain’s most sought-after political advisors and campaign strategists with experience serving top political figures, including the Deputy Prime Minister, Secretary of State, Ministers and political leaders. He played a key role in the campaign to Remain in the EU and helped deliver a resounding ‘Yes’ result in Ireland’s referendum on abortion. He now runs Apostrophe Campaigns, a creative campaigns and marketing agency renowned for its innovative and effective strategies. His work has shaped public opinion, elected politicians, and influenced major policy decisions.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
It’s a funny story, actually. I was working in celebrity and entertainment social media. I loved it and was happy doing what I was, when one of my clients jokingly dared me to apply for a job working for my local MP, John Leech. I laughed it off, but for the fun of it, I decided to go through with the application as I wanted more experience directly in PR. I could barely believe it when I got the interview, which I thought went horribly. I was convinced I had blown it — I didn’t have a political background, and I didn’t even know who the Deputy Prime Minister was at the time! I walked out certain they’d never call me back, but it turns out the interview had been more of a test to see how I’d handle pressure.
A few days later, they called to offer me the job. I missed the call because I was really ill. When I saw it was them calling, I assumed it was to tell me I hadn’t got it so I ignored it. They kept calling and eventually texted me to tell me I had got the job. I was speechless and didn’t accept right away. I spent about 10 days mulling it over. I was genuinely torn because I was happy where I was, and the idea of jumping into a world I knew absolutely nothing about seemed daunting. After much thought — and a little curiosity — I decided to take the plunge. So, basically, it was a complete accident!
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
I recently got to go to the Democratic National Convention (DNC) and met Kamala Harris! That was pretty wild!
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
There was a time I was forced to attend an event I really didn’t want to go to. It was just before the general election and I had a tonne of work piling up, so I spent the first part of the event grumbling about how I didn’t want to be there. Little did I know, I was venting my frustration directly to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury — one of the most senior officials in the country! Thankfully, he found it funny, but it was a good lesson in always being mindful of who’s around before you start complaining!
Can you describe how you or your organization is making a significant social impact?
Apostrophe Campaigns is exclusively committed to making a dramatic social impact. We specialise in people and brands who want to change their communities and the world. We don’t do dodgy corporate PR, banks, big pharma or anything we don’t like — ever.
Our mission began with a focus on innovative marketing and PR to uplift political and progressive campaigns. Today, we’re proud to work with some of the most exciting politicians, political parties, and public figures, as well as non-profits and charities worldwide.
We believe in a more liberal, open, and cooperative world, and our campaigns have reached billions, sparking debate, winning elections, and even saving lives. Our work is grounded in a passion for advancing equal rights, particularly for women and girls, and fostering progressive and democratic choices. In fact, every year, our Social Mission Project provides free or discounted services to causes we care about, from environmental protection to educational and creative initiatives. This dedication to progressive change drives everything we do.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
Probably the proudest moment of my life so far is my involvement in the 2018 Ireland abortion referendum, which had a profound impact on the lives of so many. I was part of the campaign to repeal the Eighth Amendment, which had prohibited abortion in nearly all circumstances. Our campaign sought to amplify the voices of those who had been silenced for so long — women who had faced impossible choices and had to travel abroad for healthcare.
One young woman who shared her heartbreaking story through our campaign had been forced to take a day of holiday, leave Ireland for a medical procedure that should have been available at home and missed her flight back home, meaning she had to call her workplace and let them know she couldn’t make it into work. When they pressed her for why — and she didn’t want to lie — she eventually had to tell them she was in England for an abortion. By giving her and others a platform, we were able to bring these stories to the forefront of the national conversation, humanising the issue and shifting public sentiment.
When the referendum passed, allowing for safe and legal abortion, we knew that the lives of women like her had been irrevocably changed. It was an incredible moment, not just for Ireland but for human rights, and it reminded us how powerful campaigning for progressive change can be.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
We’re trying to solve lots of issues but there are three universal things everyone in politics can do:
- Listen more
- Be honest
- Lead with an unwavering commitment to public service
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
Leadership is about empowering others, fostering inclusivity, and driving change that benefits everyone, not just a select few. It’s about listening to diverse voices, amplifying underrepresented perspectives, and using your platform to create long-term, sustainable solutions for the greater good.
When we lost the UK’s 2016 EU referendum, progressive leaders who had fought for Remain had to confront a difficult reality. Instead of retreating, we stepped up, using disappointment as fuel to keep advocating for a cooperative and united Europe. Leaders didn’t just fight for what they believed in during the campaign, but afterwards, they worked to protect relationships with European neighbours, promote international collaboration, and mitigate the negative impacts of Brexit. This kind of leadership — staying engaged even when you lose — is about resilience and continuing to push for progress, even when the political tide turns against you — and that can happen more often than you’d like! You learn much more about the character of a leader when they lose than when they win.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
- Education isn’t the be-all and end-all — I barely scraped high school.
- Skills are transferrable. If you’re good at what you do, you can do it in most places — even if you don’t know who the Deputy Prime Minister is!
- Let your work speak for itself — self-promo means nothing if your work isn’t good. Good work will get you recognised.
- Imposter syndrome is real, but don’t let it win — I wasted so much time worrying I wasn’t qualified.
- Be adaptable — Things will change quickly, especially in PR and politics. The ability to pivot, learn, and grow is crucial.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I’d like to see more people in PR actually put people before profit. Every agency claims to do good and have a social arm, but when push comes to shove, they put profit first. True progressive agencies are rare.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“Always have a cause bigger than yourself” and “Never stop believing that fighting for what’s right is worth it” — the former reminds me to always fight for a cause I believe in and the latter reminds me to keep fighting for that cause even when it feels impossible.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
Hillary Clinton! I would love to get her insights on everything she’s been through and just thank her for her incredible contribution to public service.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
I’m most active on Linkedin: @PabloOHana and Instagram: @Pabs94
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
Social Impact Heroes: Why & How Pablo O’Hana of Apostrophe Campaigns Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.