In this exclusive we cover:
đTomâs journey from Batemans Bay to marketing in the government & professional services sector
đTomâs day-to-day leading the National Marketing Team & Sydney marketing strategy at EY
đTomâs role in developing a Government campaign that reached 50% of entrepreneurs in Australia
đEntry level roles into professional services marketing
1. Before we dive into your role at EY, what has your career journey looked like so far?
Well, it all kicked off at a pancake parlour in my hometown of Batemans Bay, NSW. As soon as I was old enough to legally work, I begged for a job there. Iâd finish each shift covered in maple syrup… but I couldnât get enough!
1)Working in higher education
Following that, I completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Canberra and worked in marketing roles for a bunch of higher education institutions here in Australia, plus the UK for a few years.
It was an awesome time in my life; I was getting great work experience, building my network and frequently travelling for work to places like the USA, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, India and Europe.
2)Transitioning into the government & professional services sector
Afterwards, I ran advertising campaigns for the government and eventually found my groove within the professional services sector.
I joined EY in June 2021 and havenât looked back!
Iâve always enjoyed working with people, the art of storytelling and solving tricky problems with big, bold ideas!
2. Transitioning into work, what does a National Marketing Manager @ EY Australia do?
How is the marketing function structured?
Marketing sits within the broader Brand, Marketing and Communications (BMC) function of the firm.
Weâre a central team who collaborate with the business to help take services and solutions to market, build relationships, engage our people and enhance the EY brand.
I might be biassed but I think BMC is the best part of the firm to work in. We contribute to market-leading activities that truly impact our clients â while having lots of fun in the process!
What does your role entail?
I wear two âhatsâ at EY.
- Leading a national marketing team
- Leading the marketing strategy for EY in Sydney
Itâs challenging and no two days are ever the same â but thatâs exactly why I love it!
1)Leading a national marketing team
The team is responsible for driving brand, revenue growth and market connection opportunities in their respective regions.
2)Leading the marketing strategy for EY in Sydney
Sydney is our largest market in Australia. I work closely with our leadership team and find ways to engage, inspire, surprise and delight EYâs new and existing clients through the power of marketing. That takes shape through digital campaigns, sponsorships, corporate hospitality activations, major events and more.
3. Whatâs an example of a campaign that youâve worked on and what was your role in bringing it to life?
Campaign: Digital advertising campaign for federal government
What was it?
The government had just launched a new website to provide resources and grants to help entrepreneurs with all stages of planning, starting and running a business.
A campaign was needed to generate more awareness of the websiteâs existence among the target audience and encourage greater usage of the government resources that could help their businesses thrive.
What was your role?
I developed a multi-channel marketing plan for the campaign and then set to work on procuring:
- A market research agency to better understand our target audience (and how we could reach them)
- A creative agency to develop a distinctive âlook and feelâ for the campaign materials
After extensive concept testing with focus groups, the campaign ran for six months with over 100 digital advertisements live at any point in time, directing the target audience to dedicated campaign landing pages to complete the calls to action.
What was the outcome?
All campaign goals and objectives were met (and exceeded!) and the campaign reached more than 50% of all entrepreneurs in Australia.
4. What do the entry level pathways for marketing in the professional services space look like?
Typically, a formal qualification (usually a bachelorâs degree in marketing or commerce) or significant work experience will open pathway options for entry level marketing roles.
Research widely and find organisations that align with your own interests. The roles are likely to be at Associate or Coordinator level and the best thing about them is the broad range of projects youâll be exposed to.
Nowâs the time to roll up your sleeves, listen and learn, share ideas and explore how you can make your mark in the organisation. When interviewing entry-level candidates, what I look for is initiative, enthusiasm, life experience and potential to grow.
5. What’s one thing you recommend an aspiring marketer do right now?
Invest in relationships⌠AKA, build (and nurture) your network!
You know your friendâs dad who works in comms for that cool company? Or your neighbourâs cousin who just landed a marketing role at a start-up? Reach out to them and ask for an introduction.
Youâll find that people are usually generous with their time and connections if they can sense your ambition. After all, theyâve been on a similar journey to you and had to work their way up the ladder too.
BONUSâŚ
Lastly, when applying for jobs, make your application POP!
Marketers are relied upon for bringing ambitious ideas to life, so demonstrate how you can do that through your CV, cover letter or during the interview.
