Brand passion

You first pursued a degree in communication design, why did you change your career path to marketing?

I didn’t really change it; I apply my creativity a lot at work. There is a strong and mutually supportive nexus between marketing and the creative arts, they are actually complementary. You cannot be a great marketer if you are not creative in thought.

Tell us about your passion for marketing

I love marketing because there is a lot more to it than meets the eye. Marketing is sales, because you are convincing a consumer to buy your product, marketing is strategy, because you need to map out the best plan to achieve profits, it’s customer relations, because you have to be sensitive to your market’s needs, it’s finance, because your actions affect the bottom line, it’s corporate communications, because you need to maintain your company’s image and reputation, and marketing may also be none-profit as the world demands of more Corporate Social Investment activities from companies.

Tell us about some of the challenges a young woman like you faces at the work place?

My main challenges so far have been the stereotype that women marketers are shallow. As a woman in marketing, you really have to be outspoken, aggressive and decisive. At first you will ruffle some feathers, but later on you will earn your respect.

Your hands seem to be full with work and books, is your social life suffering?

Not at all. You would be amazed at how much of a social life I have! I am a marketer so I am quite popular. It’s also part of the job, you know!

What has been the highlight of your career this far?

So far, it has to be when I was a Brand Executive in my previous company. During an end-year party, I was awarded as Employee of the Year. I knew I deserved it as it was one tough year but I stuck it out.

What about your academics, what are the highlights?

My academic achievements are quite a number, but the ones that stand out most are graduating with First Class Honours in my undergraduate program, being the top student in CIM in the world this year, and being awarded Chartered Marketer this year.