Tell us about your career journey so far…
Well, it’s a bit of a varied past to be honest! Having completed a degree in Media and Politics I was none the wiser about what I wanted to be when I grew up. After a few random temp jobs, I ended up in Sheffield working as an Account Exec at a screen printer. Armed with the knowledge that I enjoyed working with clients and with a keen interest in the creative industries, I then started working at a small creative agency, where I stayed for the next 10 or so years.
Following a bit of a career break to look after some tiny humans, I applied for a part-time, flexible marketing role with a games company who were looking to grow their audience and their product offering. Having never worked in the games industry before, but excited by the challenge, I applied. The rest, as they say, is history.
What do you do at Peek & Poke and what does your average day look like?
Oh gosh, I’m not sure I have an average day. We’re a small but growing team, so my role is incredibly varied. From writing briefs and campaign planning at my desk, to hiding away to work on annual and quarterly budgets and strategy, plus a few events and presentations thrown into the mix, there’s quite a lot going on! 🤪
At the moment (July 2022!), we’re knee-deep in Christmas baubles as we prepare and plan content for our busiest time of the year! Never too early is it?!
Alongside the marketing day-to-day, I also like to get involved in sales and operations, helping shape new engines and supporting the rest of the team with their challenges.
I’m clearly a bit nosey and like to know what’s going on!
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I really enjoy how varied it is and that it’s something that has grown organically. Since implementing our event and exhibition strategy, I’ve had the opportunity to do more public speaking, which I am really passionate about. Being able to sit on a panel or present a talk or seminar is now one of my favourite parts of the job.
That, and the team – they’re ace, if a little competitive! We often have board game nights and get together to do things outside of the office. We recently went to one of the many climbing walls in Sheffield – some of the team are keen climbers so it was great to share their passions and get back into bouldering – something I haven’t done for a long time! Next on the list is karaoke!
Tell us about you. What do you get up to when you’re not marketing?
Well, most of my time is spent with the family – one husband, two boys and a cat keep me rather busy. The boys are 11 and 8 now and quite honestly have a better social life than I do!
I’m also STILL learning to play the guitar. Learning a new instrument is notoriously hard but it’s something I’ve always wanted to do so I’m persevering with it!
What’s your favourite game?
I was always a Nintendo girl. When I was growing up my original Game Boy was never far from my side, with the Adventures of Super Mario Land, Paperboy and Tetris cartridges on permanent rotation.
The GameCube featured heavily in my student days as I played infinite games of Rainbow Road on Mario Kart, and this affinity to Nintendo hasn’t waned over the years. As I’ve become a parent, the Switch is the only console in our house. I just love the kid-friendly, accessible games the whole family can play. That said, I don’t really get a look in these days! Even if I do it’s to help defeat an end-level boss in Mario Odyssey or to bear witness to an “EPIC” battle in Fortnite!
Last but not least, what’s your zombie apocalypse plan?
Erm, well I’ve often thought about what I’d do if faced with a Walking Dead situation. While I’m generally peeking/screaming at the TV from behind a pillow, in between all the expletives, my general advice to a desperate character on screen is to:
1. Cover themselves in blood and guts from dead bodies
2. Play dead while the mob passes by in favour of a more alive-looking person that’s running away!
So I guess I’d have to heed my own advice. Nice.
Obviously, I’ll also try to find a nice group of people, who aren’t going to screw me over, to try and rebuild some sort of normal civilisation in a walled community or something. Maybe.
It’ll be fine. I’m sure.
And there you have it, our Head of Marketing, who’s ready and waiting to have a chat about all things Peek & Poke or your zombie apocalypse plans – you decide.
