James Tailby is the Senior Communications Officer at Naim Audio, where he helps shape the brand’s voice and share its story with discerning audio enthusiasts and luxury audiences around the world. Working closely with Little Red Rooster, he plays a pivotal role in aligning internal messaging with the broader media landscape. By bridging the flow of information between both Focal & Naim’s teams and LRR’s press office for external press activity, James ensures the brand’s innovations and identity are communicated consistently, accurately, and with maximum impact.
What are your main responsibilities at Focal & Naim?
Working in the Comms team at Naim & Focal comes with a wide range of responsibilities – no two days are ever quite the same. My main priorities are rooted in both internal and external communications and understanding the requirements of each context. Externally, I work to effectively communicate our brand messaging, ensuring that the heart and soul of both brands are portrayed, and internally, it’s about delivering informative communications in a clear and timely manner, making sure to set the tone correctly depending on the nature of the communication. I’m also across many of the new projects that are bubbling under at Naim & Focal. This means I can ensure the Comms team stay one step ahead of the curve and help launch products to the best of our ability and within the timeframe set by the company.
What led you to this role at Focal & Naim?
A long a winding road. Of sorts. I’ve always been a music enthusiast, right from picking up my first pair of drumsticks as a young teenager. I studied Commercial Music at uni whilst playing in as many bands as I feasibly could, which led to me playing in a band full-time by the time I graduated uni. I spent the next 5 years touring internationally and immersing myself in the music industry on both the performance and business side of it. When that ended, I worked a few different jobs until I figured out what to do, then an opportunity at Naim Audio popped up, which was too good to pass up. I joined Naim 7 years ago and fell in love with the brand and, more importantly, the people. Since then, I’ve expanded my role to work closely on Focal projects alongside Naim as we look to the future.
What’s a typical working day?
Email catch-up first thing, then working through my schedule for the day. As I mentioned earlier, no two days are usually the same. Much of my time around a new product launch, as is the case currently, is working on the communications copy – whether that be for digital use, print use, merchandising etc. I’m in the office most days as I’m local, but also because I enjoy surrounding myself with my fellow Naim employees. Everyone here has such a passion for music and the brand, it’s infectious.
What’s your proudest work achievement?
Each time a new product hits the market, there’s a strong sense of achievement. We make the best hifi product in the world, so when we add a new product to our repertoire, there’s a genuine sense of pride that runs through the company. We’ve hopefully made a product that will positively impact someone’s day-to-day life by bringing the music they love to life.
What makes a great PR team for you?
I think it’s all about communication. Not only between the team and their network of contacts, which is obviously vital to obtain the best suited coverage, but also between themselves and the client. Open dialogue is key to an effective working relationship. A strong understanding and enthusiasm for the brands, product and markets in question goes a long way, too.
What piece of advice would you give to yourself if you could go back to your first day of work?
Don’t overthink it.
What excites you most about your job?
As I’ve already alluded to, it’s the people who work here at Naim. Not only do we have some of the smartest people I’ve ever met in this building, but they are also humble, cooperative and generous. Being part of a company that makes product at the level we do is a privilege and is something I try not to take for granted!
How important are PR and marketing for driving business growth?
Massively! The story behind a brand, especially one as rich in heritage as both Naim and Focal, drives the meaningful connection to an audience – both existing and potential. PR and marketing lie at the heart of that.
Do you have a favourite product and why?
I think the Mu-So 2nd Gen is still my favourite. It’s simple to use, looks so good on a sideboard and sounds unreal. It may be a few years old now, but I still think it’s unbeatable.
