There’s a growth spurt underway at Search Seven, and our newest recruit is Christina Wilmowski who joins us as our Content and Insights Manager. Christina has been a freelance writer for us for a number of years, but we’re thrilled to welcome her into the Search Seven family proper. As is traditional, we’ve put her under the Search Seven Spotlight and she’s proved she can cover a LOT of ground, from Cantona to Christmas movies and her karaoke track of choice; to inspirational businesswomen and international travel. Over to you Christina…
What started you out in a career in Digital Marketing?
I started blogging and freelancing in 2006, picking up content writing opportunities wherever I could. I also got hooked on social media pretty early on. After trying out a few different hats – visual merchandiser, editorial assistant, analyst – I decided to focus solely on digital marketing in 2013, beginning with a social media executive role in a small agency, and working my up through various positions over the years.
What was your most recent role and what you did you enjoy about it?
My previous role as planning executive focused on building and shaping a planning function within the business, as well as supporting our intermediary team with the delivery of their marketing strategy. I loved working with so many different people; there were over 500 people in the company, but it never felt like it. I worked with everyone from customer services to product owners, senior management team to compliance, stitching together what was being delivered to our customers across our various channels and purposes, making sure we weren’t breaking our contact rules or missing opportunities, and that our delivery functions had capacity to fulfil each piece of activity.
What attracted to you the role at Search Seven?
I’ve been freelancing for Gavin for six years and seen his business grow fantastically, with new faces and new roles popping up every year. I knew it was a genuinely great place to work with so many successful, happy clients so it wasn’t a difficult decision to make when the right role became available.
In your opinion, what’s the biggest misconception people have about digital marketing?
That anyone can do it! It can be hard to explain what goes into developing, delivering and refining a really smart, effective digital marketing strategy – and no, social media managers don’t just throw some words on Twitter and hope for the best!
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A writer. I once “published” a newspaper, complete with a full page story about Eric Cantona kicking a fan in the face.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
Anything by Meatloaf. When I was three years old I was asked to sing a song at a Christmas party while they got the raffle ready. I sang Bat Out of Hell.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
True crime. And as soon as 1st December arrives, awful Christmas movies. My Netflix algorithm is entirely confused throughout December.
What would we most likely find you doing on the weekend?
Planning my next holiday or planning my next home improvement! Travel is really important to me (and I’m currently borrowing a friend’s shower while my bathroom is being ripped out). So far in 2019 I’ve ticked Athens and Genoa off my list, in September I’m off to Arizona and Vancouva, and I’ll be celebrating New Years Eve in Shanghai.
Who has influenced you most when it comes to how you approach your work?
My manager in my last role changed the way I approach my work in so many ways – I’m much more methodical, I work at a more considered pace, I have more confidence. Financial services can be quite a male-dominated environment so it was refreshing to work with so many strong, inspiring women that got the job done quickly and efficiently. They showed their male counterparts up on more than one occasion! I also listen to a lot of female-hosted podcasts (She Started It, Women Tech Charge, Unsubscribe, Power Hour) and I gain a lot of inspiration from those, too.
If you could only have three apps on your phone, which would you pick?
Instagram, Twitter and email.