A day in the life of a Marketing Manager: Sarah-Jane Hook

What is your role?

I am the Marketing Manager for The Myer Centre Adelaide. I provide an integrated and strategic approach to the Myer Centre’s marketing to drive customer traffic and sales for the retailers within the shopping centre.  This includes being responsible for all customer facing communication channels in the local market and rolling out targeted promotions to drive sales for key categories. Eg, fashion.

What would your average working day look like?

7am, alarm goes off, hit snooze. Sometime between 7am – 8.30am work out what to wear with the added challenge these days of a) styling a fashionable outfit and b) what will work cycling to work without requiring a drastic wardrobe change. 8.30am cycle to work and park bicycle in the Myer Centre’s Pedal, Prep and Go storage room. 9am, coffee time! I always start my day with a quality coffee.  9.30am, attend to emails, review overnight communications on the centre’s social channels and review the day’s schedule.10am management team meeting communicating workflow of other departments amongst team heads. 10.30am on site meeting with event suppliers - stylist, audio visual technician and equipment hire specialist to discuss logistical requirements for upcoming fashion parade.  12pm work in progress meeting with Visual Merchandiser/Social Media coordinator, going over strategy for digital content creation and briefing in centre presentation projects. 1pm (if schedule permits) head to the gym for a quick lunchtime workout. 2pm conference call with creative agencies (media buyer, advertising agency, PR agency) directing a briefing on upcoming targeted promotions. 2.30pm following up on conference call with submission of briefing documents with action deadlines and budget allocations. 3pm catch up on emails and reading of industry trends / case studies / news. 3.30pm analyse results from previous targeted promotion / last month / last period and prepare post campaign debrief reports and presentations. 5pm prepare briefing memo and distribute to centre retailers on an upcoming promotional opportunity relevant to their business.  6pm head off to the Nike Run Club before cycling home or cycle home and head to a Bikram Yoga class to switch off and sweat out the day. Once home find something to eat. 10pm check activity on the centre’s social channels before catching up on reading and heading to bed.

How did you get to your position of being a Marketing Manager?

I started my career working in real estate in a marketing support function. I realized it was the marketing aspect of the industry that really interested me and began to research how to progress with a career in Marketing. I completed a Bachelor of Management (Marketing) while working part time in the real estate industry continuously.  This was invaluable as by the time I graduated from my degree I had six years marketing experience behind me.  I then moved on to a marketing assistant role on a large residential land release.  An opportunity came up with a maternity leave contract as Marketing Manager at Harbour Town (a brand direct outlet shopping centre) and this was my stepping stone into the retail / shopping centre industry. I have since honed my experiences within the industry with marketing roles for Westfield and now in my current role as Marketing Manager for the Myer Centre Adelaide.

Have you always wanted to work in the Marketing area?  Yes, consumer behaviour theories fascinate me as well as blending a love of visual communication and creativity with numbers and statistics.  Marketing is a social science.

What do you love about your role? I love that no two days are the same.  The marketing of a physical location which is a busy, public place results in working amongst a dynamic environment with many, many stakeholders.

In your current role, what has been your biggest achievement? I’m pleased to have rolled out a rebranding project and multiple launch projects with the centre as well as receiving industry recognition awards for several tactical promotions.

Over your career, what has been your ‘love this’ moment?  I love that a career in retail marketing enables you to work in a sphere with very talented and creative people.  The styling advice and exposure to a myriad of fashion can be a girl’s dream!

Any advice for anyone aspiring to work in the Marketing / Fashion industry?  Never lose sight of return on investment and always focus on surprising and delighting the customer.

Lush Grand Re-Opening

Last Friday I attended the Lush Re-Opening in Rundle Mall. This event was open to all, and the rain did not stop the masses of Lush lovers from lining up to be the first to shop at the new look store....

A massive line outside the store in the middle of Rundle Mall, kept on lookers wondering what all the excitement was about. Shoppers were welcomed by Lush rep Ayla and Rundle Malls store manager. We were told that the this new look store is the first of it's kind in Australia......yes that's right Adelaide has the very first new look Lush store!!!

Whilst lining up we were treated to cute little drinks and vegan cupcakes from The Fakery Bakery (which unfortunately I missed out on :( but I heard that they were delicious!

I was one of the first to enter the store, and although there were so many people, the staff were so friendly and helpful. One of the Lush ladies tried the salt scrub on my hand, it felt amazing (I definitely recommend trying it!). I also tried the bubblegum lip scrub, which smelt and tasted so yummy...I was told that you can scrub your lips with it and then just lick it off!

This store is filled with goodies and they're all natural. You can pick up some amazing things from essential skincare items to pamper lux pieces as well as gifts for loved ones.

 It's would be worthwhile to spend some time in the store and speak to the lovely Lush ladies about what products would work best for your skin or what items will make bath time so much more interesting!!! Let me know what you think if you end up checking out the store :)

Benefit They're Real Push-Up Liner!

I recently received a special little package from Benefit Cosmetics.....

Inside was the Benefit They're Real Mascara and the all new They're Real Gel Liner Pen....along with some cute little jewels

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I was so excited....I had seen all the posts and all the positive comments about this brand new product by Benefit, on social media. It's an amazing invention and is going to make my life so much easier when it comes to getting the perfect eye liner line!

I couldn't wait to try it out, after practicing on my hand... I went for the eyes. It was so easy, the gel just glided  and the shape of the tip is perfect for getting a precise line around the eye and creating a wing. 

Here's the final look....what do you think? 

Benefit's They're Real Push-up Liner will be available to purchase at the end of June....get your hands on it as soon as you can!!!

Meet the lovely Yelp lady!

What is your current position/job description? 

Community Manager and Adelaide representative for  Yelp.com.au - I am also known as the "Yelp Lady"

How did you get to the position you are in now?

It really came down to Luck and chance! So the story goes; A friend of mine in Brisbane met the National rep for Yelp, she had asked my friend if she knew anyone in Adelaide that would be able to be the Adelaide rep, my friend told her to get in contact with me because "I know a lot of people".

So she got in contact with me, we met, she asked me who I would suggest for the position, I mentioned a few names, but by the end of our conversation she said that I should apply, she sent me the job description, I applied and got the job!

 

What are the opportunities that have opened up for you within this position?

 

Meeting amazing people – Adelaidians don’t talk themselves up, there are so many amzing people doing great things here and we should talk about it....through Yelp I get to do that! I get to connect with business owners, hear their inspirational stories and share them.

Networking – Because of my marketing background, I was going to lots of marketing networking events, but now through Yelp I have been able to mix with and get to know people from so many different industries

 

 

Where do you see yourself or what do you want to be doing in 5 years?

 

I want to be telling peoples stories, connecting business owners with the community and connecting various industries.....so much greatness can happen when people come together!

I would also like to be doing a business which involves event management/marketing and working with small business.

Further down the track, I would like to work more around Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which involves connecting small businesses with the community and not for profit sector strategically.

What advice do you have or can you give to young people who want to get into a position similar to yours?

Networking, Getting Experience, Volunteering.

Say yes to any opportunity that presents itself even if its unpaid.

Work/volunteer during your time at uni…build your resume early!!!!

Get experience doing different things,  these days we need to be 'slashies' (having skills in various areas) it gives you a competitive edge when appoaching potential employers and/or adds to your skill set which will be beneficial for you in any venture.

Your best tip or trick to keep a job like yours?

Knowing people – building relationships, Your benefical to them and vice versa, Always remember you do business with people not with product!

Pirie & Co. Social Club Launch

I was invited to attend the official launch of Adelaide's newest Bar; Pirie & Co. Social Club

Upon arrival we were given some special Social Club money to spend at the bar

As we went down the stairs we could hear the live music playing and the chatter of guests enjoying the space. The atmosphere was just how I like it....warm, lounge like, inviting and styled perfectly.

We were treated to some delicious signature tapas......these chicken drumsticks were to die for....I could have eaten that whole plate if I had the chance!!! I'm definitely going back to eat those! :) 

 I had such a great night catching up with friends and enjoying the space.....definitely check out Pirie & Co its a great place for after work drinks!