Introducing Emily Wright, our shiny new Account Manager…

New Year. Same Me.

I’ve always had the same New Year’s resolution since I was little – take every chance. From moving into flats without seeing them to crossing roads anywhere but the pedestrian crossing, and regularly indulging in BOGOF offers – there’s always a chance that deal might not come up for a while…

It was by complete chance that I ended up as a mark-maker. I’ve taken a bit of an off-piste route really. I started off post-Film & TV degree getting a place on the Topshop grad scheme. I had a really robust couple of years learning, absorbing, skin-thickening myself into retail, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Learning the power of understanding your customer, the vital importance of measuring your metrics, analysing performance and of course being part of a hugely successful team. They say retail is detail, but it’s also people.

La Montagne

Mountains and oceans have always been a huge part of my life, and having spent three blissful years studying by the sea I started to get a goggle-tan craving. I loved Topshop but fresh air was calling and a life-long dream to work in the mountains. Whilst flicking through ski holidays, I saw my chance. I applied and a few months later headed out to Tignes as a rep.

It was a challenge operationally, execution of a completely different service proposition, and long hours (at times), but I fell hard for the mountains. I headed back as a Chalet Manager and I loved it: turning negative into positive, never giving up, and exceeding guest’s and clients expectations. Ultimately it was really living a dream with some inspirational managers.

The European X-Games were held in Tignes both years, and we had the chance to look after the Oakley sponsored athletes. This is where Jenny Jones appeared on my radar (more about her later). I loved watching the team planning, the build up, the branding, the passion of what everyone was doing for such an incredible event. Taking the chance to speak some members of the team really ignited the flame on marketing as something for me.

Oxford, anyone?

Halfway through my first season I met my other half – someone who shared my passion whole heartedly in delivering the best customer experience, working hard, but being able to do a front flip on your lunch if you want (that’s definitely him not me). Anyway after leaving our beloved flat after the second season we headed home. With him being from the North, me from the South we aimed to get jobs somewhere where we could continue this post season journey together.

He was first out the blocks, securing a position in Oxford, so I got a job with a property agency that managed student accommodation. Another different service proposition, but I felt there was opportunity to market it differently and use the available data insights to greater effect. A chance chat with the Marketing Manager led me to applying to the marketing team. I was honest and open with my lack of theory, but customer experience on the ground, measuring metrics and driving performance were my bread and butter. The Marketing Director took a chance and off I went…

Agency calling

For a long time people had said that an agency would be a good development opportunity for me. I started to ask agencies for advice and insight into what they were looking for, and to work on the gaps. By chance, Lisa (mm* Account Director) came in to my old place to have a chat. It was lovely and as she was leaving she mentioned that there was a role currently available within the agency she worked for. I took a chance on getting in touch with Lisa, and leaving our first coffee I felt a proper bubbling of excitement at the prospect of working with such a blimmin’ talented bunch of people.

A few more meetings later, the team here have taken a chance and let me get a foot in the door. It never ceases to amaze me that people aren’t always looking for a finished product: mark-making* want me to be a part of their new chapter, and they’re already a huge part of mine. To back up the small print, I am currently studying for a marketing diploma alongside my job – it’s a busy time ahead.

Back to Jonesy…

There have been many periods in my life where you give yourself a life status check – pressures flying in from social media, colleagues, peers questioning ‘where I’m at’ on my varied route. Jenny Jones was 33 when she won bronze at the Olympics. After years of some great success, many highs and lows, varying jobs and people questioning her, she achieved her dream and most importantly got to share it with the people who supported her along the way. I watched an interview with her recently and she just summed up perfectly how I feel at the moment – being paid to do something I love.

“A huge relief and it sounds corny but you get that wave of happiness. Do you ever have that when you’re just doing something? Could just be surfing or something with your mates and the suns going down. And you just get that wave of yehhhh!”

Well high five Jenny – that’s where I’m at.

In the end we only regret the chances we didn’t take.

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Written by Emily Wright