Hollie A.
About me
| Hollie A. | |
| Psychology | |
| Psychology | |
| Undergraduate | |
| Halifax | |
| 2006 | |
| United Kingdom |
My employment
| Business Director | |
| 72andSunny LA | |
| United Kingdom | |
| Advertising, marketing and PR | |
| Large business (250+ employees) | |
| 2017 |
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A day in the life of a Business Director in the United Kingdom
Over a decade in advertising. From London to LA, and now to New York. Always jumping in head first, always smiling, and wouldn't be doing anything else
My career goals when I graduated
Just get employed. HA! Took me a year to find myself at Ogilvy in my first role
My career history
I joined the Ogilvy Fellowship scheme in 2007. The scheme was then a 3-year programme, consisting of three 1-year placements in the Account Management department of Ogilvy, Ogilvy One, and another of the Ogilvy Group companies. It gives you a chance to experience a number of Communications disciplines, not just Advertising. After the scheme I stayed on in the ad agency and worked on MTV, Coca-Cola, Mondelez, War Child, and Philips rising to Account Director.
In 2013 I moved to WCRS, then the fourth biggest agency in the UK to work on Sky. I also then worked on King Games (Candy Crush) and was promoted twice. I also held a department role hiring, supporting and growing our juniors.
In 2017 I left to join one of the best agencies in the US: 72andSunny. So have been in LA for nearly two years working on a number of accounts including eBay and Infiniti cars
What has helped my career to progress
Being honest and bringing my full self to work. As this industry becomes more and more diverse we need to bring our voices to the table. As a woman of colour its important I help pave the way for more of us, so I've always been ambitious and worked hard. It's paying off
Where I hope to be in 5 years
My hopes for the future are to keep going as I am and work my way up the ranks to run an agency one day. It would also be cool to win a few more awards.
My advice to students considering work
You can't research too early. Have a think about what you want to do and get some work experience to test it out. I thought I wanted to work in property.... tried it out and hated it so crossed that one off my list.
Also, don't panic if you aren't sure what you want to do or leave uni without securing a job. I worked in a school doing admin after I graduated and took the school holidays to do some work experience. Then when I settled on advertising I applied for the Fellowship scheme at Ogilvy... over a year after I'd left York.
My advice about working in my industry
You need to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. Every day is a new challenge, can change in a second, but that's what makes this fun. We band together to make awesome work happen and pivot as need be. If you like the simple life / scared of change, then this is not the industry for you
Contacting me
Just message me on here. With work being crazy I may be a little slow to reply but will try my best. Happy to help
What I do
As an Account Handler you're pretty much like the conductor of an orchestra. We deal with everyone in the agency from planning and creative through to production - so we see a project through from start to finish. Most importantly we look after the clients, working with them to define what they need (the brief / business problem) and then working with them throughout the creative process (presenting ideas to them, getting approval on ideas and finances) and then seeing the ideas come to life. I head up the team / account and make sure we deliver work to it fullest potential
Skills I use and how I developed them
Degree skills:
Psychology is closely linked to advertising and communications as we cover behaviour change (relevant to the work we produce) and relationships (relevant to dealing with people/clients). But you don't have to have done a specific degree to apply.
Extracurricular skills:
I was on the committee of a hip hop music society (which I sadly don't think still exists), so running events gave me great organisational skills which are really important in my current role.
I also took part in the York Students in Schools programme which built my confidence to present in public (reading stories to classes of four year olds) and I often have to do that as part of my job.
What I like most
I enjoy seeing something you've had a hand in out there for the world to see. It's an awesome feeling to see your first ad on TV or on a billboard. Then you can call your nan and tell her you did that!
I also love agency life. I can honestly call the people I work with 'mates'. Life here is very sociable (having a bar in the office helps) and people are always willing to help. It's a great atmosphere and I really look forward to coming to work.
What I like least
The hours can be unpredictable. That's the nature of what we do. We work hard and we play hard.
What would I change? I've sat here trying to think of something for a few minutes but I really can't think of anything. This industry is a meritocracy... so if you're good you'll do well.
What surprised me most
How much fun it would be.... this is supposed to be work. But also, when I was junior, I was surprised by how possible it is to live in London on the salary we start in. It's possible I swear!
Next steps...
If you like the look of Hollie’s profile, the next steps are down to you! You can send Hollie a message to find out more about their career journey. If you feel you would benefit from more in-depth conversations, ask Hollie to be your mentor.