At Altavia HRG we’re on a mission to set the standard for what’s possible for brands in retail.
We’re also on a mission to set the standard internally for team work, collaboration, treating each other with respect, and generally being an amazing team. So, we instigated The Standards, our internal awards for a a variety of different things (like the Oscars, but way cooler)!
We caught up with our Bright Beginnings winner, Kelseigh Zammit, to discuss what a day-in-the-life of a Digital Strategist looks like at Altavia HRG.
What’s your job title?
Senior Digital Strategist
What skillset or qualifications do you need to be a digital strategist?
I don’t think there’s an obvious progression into strategy but having a natural curiosity and being unafraid to ask questions helps. I did journalism at uni and worked as a journalist, website manager and a copywriter/editor before I went into strategy and learned skills that I use on a daily basis.
What sort of duties do you do at work?
All sorts. Leading on digital marketing strategies including social media campaigns, digital activations, comms plans, ecom toolkits etc. Conducting consumer research, and doing research for product launches and campaigns, improving clients’ digital content, that kind of thing.
What does a typical day at Altavia HRG look like?
It’s pretty varied, depending on what my team is working on. I could be researching for a pitch, doing some consumer testing, analysing customer data, or brainstorming on social content. I might have a creative briefing to do with the studio team or a presentation to a client.
What’s the most exciting part of your job?
Working with some amazing brands and seeing the impact or engagement your online campaigns are getting.
What part of your job isn’t so enjoyable?
Doing timesheets!
What’s something you find challenging about your job?
I’m not dedicated to one account so I get to work with most of the clients we have within the agency, which is great, but can also be a challenge to keep up with everything that’s going on with each account and know each brand inside and out.
Do you have any mentors in your professional life?
I don’t have any official mentors but I’ve been really lucky to have some really amazing and inspiring bosses throughout my career who have taught me a lot.
What was your first paying job?
A paper round when I was 13 that I hated! As soon as I was old enough I got a weekend job in a clothes shop and then waitressed my way through university. My first paying job after university was being paid £25 for writing a little 200 word column in a Sunday magazine and I thought I had Absolutely. Made. It.
Who inspires you?
My sister. She has a really tough job in public service and has just started her own business while on maternity leave. She doesn’t make excuses and just makes things happen and I think that’s inspiring.
Where did you work before this position?
I worked in Amsterdam at Tommy Hilfiger’s global headquarters in their in-house creative agency.
What’s your most-used productivity hack?
Eat the frog! I can’t even remember where I picked this up but the gist is basically if you have a long to-do list just ‘eat the frog’ and get the worst task or the thing you’re worried about most done first and out of the way.
Who do you look up to within the company?
Does it make me a kiss-ass to say my manager, Friday? He’s just a really great manager; good with people, detail orientated, doesn’t take himself too seriously and not afraid to roll his sleeves up and do the work. He always knows exactly what the whole team is working on and supports us all individually.
What’s a skill you’d like to improve on?
I’d really like to be able to do the splits…
What motivates you at work?
I was really chuffed to receive my ‘bright beginning’ award 4 months after joining the company. It was a great boost to know the work I was doing was being noticed, especially as a newbie when you’re still getting to grips with everything and just hoping you’re doing okay.
If you could have a career in anything, what would it be?
I’d like to write children’s books one day.
Professionally, where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Maybe head of a strategy department? And moonlighting as a children’s author?
