This summer, we were delighted to welcome Katie Winrow to the Secerna marketing team, whose existing interest and experience in digital marketing made an immediate impact. Discover details about her role working alongside attorneys as part of the business development and marketing team, and learn more about what she achieved while at Secerna.
What attracted you to the position?
The summer internship at Secerna was attractive because it offered a unique opportunity to blend my digital marketing experience (gained as Press & Publicity Officer for two university societies) with my academic background. I was eager to apply the writing, research, and design skills from my English Literature degree in a professional environment. Since my upcoming Masters focuses on creative industries, I was particularly keen to gain first-hand knowledge of intellectual property law and its crucial importance to innovators and creators.
What brought you to Secerna?
Secerna's reputation as a supportive work environment truly stood out, especially as they won University of York’s Internship Employer of the Year in 2023. I was also engaged by the opportunity to work with a team with such diverse expertise, covering everything from trade mark law to life sciences.
What did the internship involve?
My main project during the internship was assisting with the promotion of Secerna’s exhibition at ELRIG Drug Discovery 2025, a leading life sciences conference. I worked closely with Marketing & Business Development Manager, Chris Claxton, to produce materials that would inform attendees of the importance of intellectual property for drug development and life science industries. This involved using software to design banner and poster concepts for Secerna’s booth, as well as researching promotional strategies like giveaways and interactive event displays. I also designed content surrounding the event for Secerna’s social media, including LinkedIn posts, graphics and videos. Furthermore, I researched and wrote content surrounding interesting IP issues. With the helpful input of Trade Mark Attorney Sam Turton, I covered an interesting case from the European Intellectual Property Office surrounding Ferrari’s Testarossa trade mark.
What have you gained from your internship with Secerna?
The most significant thing I gained from this internship was the confidence to take initiative and contribute original ideas in a team environment. This hands-on experience, from brainstorming articles to researching exhibition strategies, reaffirmed my ability to actively make an impact. I also gained many practical skills, including valuable familiarity with assessing and improving Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) for websites.
What was the best thing about your internship?
My favourite part was collaborating with Chris to develop video content for ELRIG 2025. I particularly enjoyed storyboarding, as it taught me to consider how common filmography techniques can be applied outside of Hollywood Blockbusters. I also really enjoyed the graphic design process for the ELRIG banners, as it has greatly improved my visual vocabulary for marketing.
Are you considering a career in marketing?
While I was already considering a career in marketing, my internship with Secerna has encouraged me to pursue it further. Chris has taught me about many of the multifaceted demands of a marketing career, including graphic design and website maintenance. The exposure here has confirmed that marketing is a great path to apply my skills professionally and help brands, including IP firms, increase their impact.
What have you learnt about IP whilst at Secerna?
The most important thing I learnt about Intellectual Property is that it is not just a passive means of protecting a product, but rather a tool that should see regular use. IP portfolios and trade marks must be maintained, which is why the active approach to IP from the attorneys at Secerna is so important. I also learned more about its importance to STEM industries I wasn’t initially familiar with, like drug development and oncology. It was thanks to the expertise of Secerna’s friendly team I have learned so much about both this topic and myself, and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to work with them during this internship.