Our Infectious Media ‘Career Pathways’ series of interviews aims to highlight working life, as well as the the career options available to our staff. Here, Holly Hosie, Senior Campaign Executive, in our London office, tells us about her journey at Infectious Media.
for Infectious Media?
I worked as an English teacher in Madrid for two and a half years after I left Uni. I’d studied languages at Uni and spent some time in Madrid but wanted to go back and live there. I would encourage everyone to spend some time living abroad, it’s a really great experience, gets you out of your comfort zone. I decided to come back to the UK because I missed my family and friends and I wanted to start a new career. Teaching was something I loved but I was keen to pursue a career in digital because it’s an area that has a direct impact on my life. I wanted to utilise my communication/presentations skills, I enjoy working with numbers and I have quite a logical mind.
What should new joiners expect when they start at IM?
You can expect to work with some really friendly people, they’re very welcoming. They really want you to get stuck in but they provide plenty of support - the balance is just right.
If you have no previous experience in media, there’s lots of new terminology - it’s like learning a new language! People were talking about decks, it took me a while to realise they meant PowerPoint presentations. There are lots of acronyms including CPC, CPM, RTB...
You joined at the beginning of March, just before lockdown. What has that experience been like?
I joined IM at the beginning of March 2020, so I was very lucky to have a couple of weeks in the office. I was able to meet people in person. It was quite daunting moving to a situation where I was sitting on my own in a room but we all had to learn to adapt. I was lucky, my team were really supportive and helpful and we were able to communicate through Slack, emails and video meetings. I spent quite a lot of time self learning, reading and making my way round the various platforms we use. I just got stuck in and went for it. Sometimes you’re not sure if a question you have is worth asking, that can be difficult. I also miss the social side of work, going out for lunch, grabbing a coffee or drinks after work. Hopefully we’ll be able to do that soon.
Generally, what advice would you give to people starting new jobs in lockdown?
Don’t be scared to ask questions, however small. If you’re struggling with something, or you’ve been asked to do something you don’t know how - you must be open and ask for help. It’s important to reach out for support if you don't know how to do something. I would also advise that you get stuck in with slack channels, online socials and competitions. Even though we can’t meet face to face, it’s good to engage with your colleagues in non work formats.
Tell us about your Infectious Media career journey - where did it begin, and how did you make your way to Senior Campaign Executive?
I started working on the Cos and New Look accounts and I was lucky because I was exposed to quite a lot early on - different channels, platforms and markets. My focus is display, although I do have exposure to social channels and I’m very up for learning new things. My team has pushed me but they’ve also been very helpful and supportive. The learning curve has been quite steep and I’ve developed quickly. I am now running campaigns, reporting and analysing data as well as having increasing client contact.
Describe a typical working day.
My days are varied. I spend a lot of time in the platforms, mainly DV360 and Facebook, setting up and managing campaigns. I’m in touch with my clients on a regular basis, sending reports and following up on meetings. I also help work on quarterly business reviews and look at longer term projects for my clients.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about entering into a career in digital?
Digital is the place to be at the moment - everything is online. You’ll need to be able to keep up with the pace, it’s a rapidly evolving industry - it will keep you on your toes. Also, there’s lots of terminology and acronyms to get used to - eg CMP (cost per thousand), CPC (cost per click), CTR (click through rate), CTA (call to action), BAU (business as usual), 3PD (third party data) and so on.
What do you like best about working at Infectious Media?
The people - everyone is lovely. The company celebrates its employees and shares people's achievements, whether it’s passing your probation, getting promoted, winning employee of the fortnight or a quarterly achievement award. It’s always nice to feel your work is being noticed and appreciated.
Quick fire questions:
Tea or coffee? Coffee
Linux or Windows? Windows - what’s Linux?
Who would play you in a film of your life? Emma Watson
Favourite TV show? This Is Us
Your go-to karaoke song? Teenage Dirt Bag