I'M

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always been that curious one in the group. Always
asking ‘why?’ or ‘how?’. And it wasn’t just about nosing around, this curiosity of
mine spilled over into the stuff I loved doing too, like taking apart toys just to see
how they were made and then putting them back together; or messing around
uploading tech videos to YouTube; or trying to learn graphic design. I just loved
figuring stuff out. Mixing up creativity with that analytical itch was kind of my
thing growing up, and it pretty much paved the way to what I do now.

At school, media and business studies really stood out for me. Media was my
creative outlet, diving into graphics, art, and video projects. It was fascinating to
learn how to convey stories and messages visually. On the flip side, Business
Studies grabbed my attention in a different way. I found it intriguing to explore
marketing, especially the psychological aspects of consumer behaviour. It was
about getting to the heart of what people genuinely value and need. I enjoyed the
challenge of decoding what goes on in someone’s mind when they choose to
buy something.

Outside of the textbooks, I got involved in various extracurriculars like playing
football or competing in a business challenge to create a new product to pitch at
Wembley Stadium. These activities weren’t just for fun; they helped me apply
what I’d learned and see its impact in real-world scenarios. That period really
helped shape my future direction, merging my creative passions with an
understanding of business fundamentals.

After completing my A-Levels in media studies and business studies, I pursued
a degree in business and marketing at Coventry University. At this stage, I wasn’t
entirely sure what I wanted my career to involve – like most 17 year olds it felt like
the biggest decision of my life. But I knew I enjoyed the creativity of media and
the mechanics of business so thought it would be a great degree to keep my
options open.

During my degree, I decided to do a placement year. This was my first venture
into marketing in the real world. The company I worked for hadn’t done much
marketing previously so I had to continually think on my feet. Gaining experience
at any level is vital and this role gave me a great foundation, which eventually led
me to my first fully-fledged role out of university at Dennis Publishing.

It was here I got involved in various marketing campaigns, gaining hands-on
experience in social media strategy, email marketing, and content creation. This
role was instrumental in shaping my understanding of the publishing industry
and digital marketing’s impact. This is where for two years I learned the
foundations of publishing and marketing. I was given the freedom to be creative
and taught one of the most important things, which was to test, test, test, and
test again!

However, as I delved deeper into the field, I realised I had a deep curiosity for
digital marketing. The fast-paced, ever-evolving nature of digital campaigns
intrigued me, oering new possibilities almost everyday. I was eager to explore
this further so I took a role at a large media agency, where my focus shifted to
managing accounts on a global scale.

The shift I had from traditional to digital marketing was pivotal. It was at this point
I truly understood the dynamics of digital strategies. This experience, combined
with my years at Dennis Publishing, shaped my professional identity, steering me
back towards the publishing sector.

I joined Immediate Media in 2019 and five years later have risen to Digital
Marketing Manager, which encompasses the management, optimisation, and
execution of digital campaigns. A significant part of my job involves identifying
target audiences, selecting the most eective advertising channels, developing
creative ad content, and managing budgets and bids. I work closely with graphic
designers, data analysts, and external media agencies to ensure our campaigns
align with broader marketing objectives and stay abreast of the latest industry
trends.

What I find most enjoyable and fulfilling about my job is the dynamic nature of
digital marketing. The publishing landscape is continuously evolving, oering
new challenges and opportunities to innovate. I enjoy the process of crafting
campaigns that resonate with our audience, drive engagement, and ultimately
contribute to the growth of the business.

The ability to analyse campaign performance, derive actionable insights, and
iterate on our strategies for better results is incredibly rewarding. It’s the blend of
creativity, data-driven decision-making, and the fast-paced environment that
keeps me engaged and motivated in my role.