The recipient of our July Employee of the Month award is Zoe Barlow! As a token of her outstanding performance, she will be presented with a £50 voucher of her choosing, a commemorative mug, and the admiration of her peers - although it's safe to say that she is already well thought of among her colleagues, given her frequent nominations!
Here's what her nominators had to say this time around:
"Zoe has been an incredible asset to ClickThrough since her arrival, and her name is constantly among the EOM nominations - so a win is long overdue. She's spearheading positive relationships with clients, is loved by client contacts and they often love the ideas she proposes to them during roadmap presentations. She's also a breath of fresh air in the office!"
"Zoe's creative report for a client was absolutely fantastic. The level of detail, analysis and insight demonstrating the value of her specialism to the client, and how she educated them... you could tell how much care, time and effort had gone into it. Real above and beyond stuff. She got amazing feedback, which she deserved! Top work!"
We caught up with Paid Social Specialist Zoe on her background, art and more.
Tell us about your role as a Paid Social Specialist in three words.
Dynamic, creative and data-driven.
What is your background, and how has this helped you in your career and current role?
After studying Psychology at University, I was drawn to the fast paced world of marketing. I began my career at a Birmingham-based PR agency which I thoroughly enjoyed, and since then I've held various positions across agencies, gaining experience in PR, social media and digital advertising.
Trying out these different areas has given me a well-rounded view of marketing and I use this diverse experience to bring a more integrated approach to my current role.
What was your last role before ClickThrough?
Before joining ClickThrough, I worked at a mar-comms agency as a communications consultant. I managed a mix of paid and organic social media, PR, and events. It was a great experience that really broadened my skillset.
Tell us something you've gained from working at ClickThrough.
I've come to appreciate the value of integrated marketing services and how a cohesive cross-channel strategy can yield fantastic results for clients.
At ClickThrough, we really embrace this approach and it truly makes a difference!
You are apparently quite the artist - is there anything you can transfer from the world of art to the world of social media?
I've always loved art, even since school, so bringing a creative eye to ads comes naturally to me.
In Paid Social, ad creative can really make or break a campaign. Being able to identify what makes an ad successful and dissect the elements behind its success is crucial in my work. For example, when reviewing ad creative I pay close attention to imagery, typography, colours and format. These artistic details can significantly impact how an ad resonates with an audience!
If someone is looking to learn more about Paid Social, what is the best route to do so?
YouTube is an excellent resource for free tutorials on a wide range of topics, from setting up ad campaigns and pixels, to analysing creative strategies.
However, I've found that hands-on experience in the platform is the best way to learn. You can set up an ad account and experiment with creating campaigns, audiences and ads without spending any money and setting ads live. It's a great way to get familiar with the platform and really understand how everything works.
If you could change and work in any other specialism, which would you pick?
I'd probably say UX because it blends data analysis with creative design to enhance user journeys online. It sounds like a fascinating way to make websites more user-friendly and effective!
What are you planning to spend your voucher on?
I have to admit, it's already been spent!
I used it for some holiday clothes on ASOS - didn't have to think about that one for long!
Finally, what advice do you have for anyone looking to get into Digital Marketing?
For anyone looking to dive into the world of Digital Marketing, my top tip is to stay curious and always keep learning. The field is incredible dynamic, so staying up to date on trends and new developments is key.
Don't be afraid to explore the different channels and tools out there - as while specialising in a specific area can be beneficial, having a well-rounded skill set can really open doors and offer more opportunities.
Interested in joining us here at ClickThrough? Take a look at some of our latest vacancies to find your perfect fit.