“Interestingly, CNN listed one of the top five jobs in the world as marketing. Think about where Coca Cola’s marketing has set them in the world, how Nandos ads become the talk of the town or how everyone just knows KFC’s pay off line. This is the world you are about to enter.
One definite and major plus is to have mentors. Whether in your personal or business life, follow in their footsteps and you’ll be on the road to success. I’d also encourage those entering the industry to have a voice. This is probably the hardest thing to do when you’re just starting in the working world but it’s crucial to stand up for things that are important and have meaning to you as an individual.
There are many challenges along the way but you never know what lessons are going to be learnt so maintain a positive attitude at all times. The bottom line is that hard work pays off and there are no short cuts.
Make mistakes, yes really, make mistakes. This is how we learn and grow. Another important life lesson for me has been to just go for it and importantly, to have fun.
If I look back on my ‘marketing journey’ I often think we forget where the marketing industry can take us, there is truly a world of possibilities waiting. We can be marketing managers, brand or account managers, client service directors, social media executives etc. Whichever role you find yourselves in, remember these important but easily remembered tips: learn from the best; have a voice; be positive; work hard, makes mistakes and most importantly have fun doing it!”
Jacobsen’s current portfolio at Primedia Lifestyle includes managing an on-the-ground team of 17 including marketing managers and assistants at 12 shopping centres including the Gateway Theatre of Shopping in KwaZulu Natal. She oversees marketing strategy concepts and implementation and manages creative and brand prints for world class events such as the
Vodacom Durban July fashion show at Gateway. Jacobsen can be contacted at
[email protected].