The Year 1ne's

In his Year 1ne, Zack works as an Assistant Brand Manager at General Mills, where he’s done marketing on cereal brands including Cheerios, Lucky Charms and Cinnamon Toast Crunch.🥣

Some of the highlights from Zack and Blair’s chat include three different ways to deliver value to a customer, which player on the football field a brand manager would be; and, how Zack realizes how stupid he is every three months!

In This Episode 🗣️
Zack’s Year 1ne @ General Mills
1:40 | Introduction from Zack
2:30 | Overview of General Mills
4:45 | Working as an Assistant Brand Manager
7:10 | Does brand management include marketing communication?
9:30 | What does CPG mean?
10:10 | Managing a global brand like Cheerios
12:15 | Essential skills for a brand manager
15:50 | Developing your analytics skills
19:50 | Which football position is brand manager most like?
24:20 | Essential software and tools
26:15 | What’s on your mind in marketing right now?
31:50 | How to deliver value to consumers in a recession

Getting to Day 1ne: The Job Search
34:50 | Getting hired at General Mills
39:00 | Trusting the process
40:15 | Hardest part of the job search
41:55 | The “What’s your favourite brand?” question

Thing’s I’ve Learned in Year 1ne
48:25 | Lesson learned becoming “slightly less stupid"
51:00 | Pro tip on writing fewer notes
53:50 | Lesson learned about Imposter Syndrome
56:20 | Lesson learned on ups and downs

The Hottest of Links and Resources 🔥
Connect with Zack Bloch: LinkedIn
Brands/organizations: General Mills | Cheerios | Ivey Business School | Labatt Breweries | Apple | Coca-Cola | Bubly
Marketing and media tools: Microsoft 365 | Nielsen | Tableau | ChatGPT
Connect with The Year 1ne’s host Blair Smith: LinkedIn
Check out The Year 1ne’s show website for past episodes, show notes and more goodness

In her Year 1ne, Sonia works as a Social Media Assistant at Ontario Parks, in the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks for the Government of Ontario, where she’s your friendly neighbourhood squirrel…I’ll let her explain.🐿️
(yes, I know that's a chipmunk, there’s no squirrel emoji. 🤷)

Some of the highlights from Sonia and Blair’s chat include the process for doing social media marketing in a government organization, how to answer the “tell us why we should hire you for this job?” question; and, how the National Parks Service is hilarious…who knew!

In This Episode 🗣️
Sonia’s Year 1ne @ Ontario Parks
1:45 | Introduction from Sonia
2:15 | Overview of Ontario Parks
3:20 | Working in social media marketing for a government organization
4:55 | The planning process for social content
7:40 | Doing community management
9:50 | Collaborating central-to-local with each provincial park team
12:00 | Being “your friendly neighbourhood squirrel”
14:25 | How marketing helps with conservation efforts
16:25 | How did previous work in conservation help with this job?
20:00 | Asking the question
21:25 | What’s on your mind in marketing right now?
23:00 | Attention…and long-form vs. short form content

Getting to Day 1ne: The Job Search
27:25 | Finding the “spark” in what you do
29:00 | Getting hired at Ontario Parks
30:00 | The “Tell us why we should hire you for this job?” question
32:50 | Hardest part of the job search
35:00 | Not playing the job application numbers game
37:00 | The “What’s your favourite brand?” question

Thing’s I’ve Learned in Year 1ne
39:00 | Mistake made on not speaking up when things get overwhelming
42:25 | Lesson learned on keeping the message “clear, concise and compelling”

The Hottest of Links and Resources 🔥
Connect with Sonia Dharni: LinkedIn | Website | Instagram | TikTok
Brands/organizations: George Brown College | Canadian Wildlife Federation | Ontario Parks (Website) | Ontario Parks (Instagram) | Ontario Parks (Twitter) | National Park Service (Website) | National Park Service (Instagram)
Marketing and media tools: Sprout Social | Microsoft Excel
Connect with The Year 1ne’s host Blair Smith: LinkedIn
Check out The Year 1ne’s show website for past episodes, show notes and more goodness 

In her Year 1ne, Laurel works as an Account Strategist at Aber Group, an independent online advertising agency, where she plans and manages advertising campaigns for her client and trains new interns.👩‍🏫

Some of the highlights from Laurel and Blair’s chat include why it’s important to ask the question as an intern, how everybody is a math person; and, how Sephora sparkles while Bubly “Bublé’s” as brands that do good marketing.

In This Episode 🗣️
Laurel’s Year 1ne @ Aber Group
2:20 | Introduction from Laurel
3:25 | Overview of Aber Group
5:55 | Working as an Account Strategist in advertising
9:20 | “The beauty of advertising”
11:35 | Talking about the Laurel Musical blog
14:50 | Becoming a “math person”
18:20 | How to stand out as an intern
20:05 | What’s on your mind in marketing right now?

Getting to Day 1ne: The Job Search
27:55 | Getting hired at Aber Group
30:55 | Networking with one specific question
33:50 | Advertising agency vs. brand/client-side marketing?
38:00 | Hardest part of the job search
41:15 | Reflecting for self-awareness
42:25 | The “What’s your favourite brand?” question

Thing’s I’ve Learned in Year 1ne
45:55 | Rookie mistake made by deleting a campaign
48:40 | Lesson learned on being more analytic than imagined
50:25 | Pro tip that a presentation is a performance

The Hottest of Links and Resources 🔥
Connect with Laurel Astridge: LinkedIn | Website | YouTube | Pinterest
Brands/organizations: Aber Group | George Brown College | Khan Academy | Sephora | Bubly
Marketing and media tools: Google Ad Grants | Meta Business Suite | Google Ads | Yahoo DSP | StackAdapt | Google Analytics | Microsoft Excel | ChatGPT
Connect with The Year 1ne’s host Blair Smith: LinkedIn
Check out The Year 1ne’s show website for past episodes, show notes and more goodness 

In his Year 1ne, Kunal works as an Associate – Digital Activation at Initiative, a full-service global media agency, where he works on the programmatic advertising team 🎯

Some of the highlights from Kunal and Blair’s chat include the steps in the paid advertising campaign lifecycle in a full-service agency, why it’s important find your voice in your year one; and, how creating vision boards help Kunal make his goals a reality–including his vision board for the job search.

In This Episode 🗣️
Kunal’s Year 1ne @ Initiative Media
1:55 | Introduction from Kunal
2:10 | Overview of Initiative Media
3:10 | Working on 35 campaigns in 1 year
5:30 | Why programmatic advertising?
7:10 | Outlining the paid advertising campaign lifecycle in a large agency
14:15 | Essential skills and technologies
18:30 | The need to “learn and unlearn”
20:05 | What’s on your mind in marketing right now?

Getting to Day 1ne: The Job Search
24:20 | Moving to Canada
26:45 | The attraction of marketing
28:40 | Getting hired at Initiative Media
31:00 | Using vision boards to achieve your goals
33:15 | Hardest part of the job search
37:55 | How did previous work experience help?
39:40 | The “What’s your favourite brand?” question

Thing’s I’ve Learned in Year 1ne
41:25 | Mistake made on pushing for a promotion
45:05 | Rookie mistake on being confident vs. overconfidence
46:05 | Lesson learned on pacing yourself
47:05 | Pro tip to try everything twice

The Hottest of Links and Resources 🔥
Connect with Kunal Makhija: LinkedIn | Website | Instagram | TikTok
Brands/organizations: Initiative | RBC | George Brown College | Humber College
Marketing and media tools: Google DV360 | ChatGPT | Microsoft Excel
Connect with The Year 1ne’s host Blair Smith: LinkedIn
Check out The Year 1ne’s show website for past episodes, show notes and more goodness

In her Year 1ne in Canada, Kruthika (“Kru”) works as an Account Supervisor at the advertising agency King Ursa 👑🐻

Some of the highlights from Kru and Blair’s chat include why a portfolio of different work will set you apart in the job search, we compare what’s it’s like to work in an agency vs. brand/client side; and, how to answer the one question you’re gonna get asked in any marketing job interview.

In This Episode 🗣️
Kru’s Year 1ne @ King Ursa
1:53 | Introduction from Kru
3:10 | Agency overview of King Ursa
4:50 | Working in advertising as Account Executive vs. Account Supervisor
8:55 | Managing multiple clients
11:35 | Working as a marketing communication generalist
15:45 | Essential technology for client service
17:55 | What’s on your mind in marketing right now?

Getting to Day 1ne: The Job Search
25:05 | Trying both client-side and advertising agency
30:30 | Looking for a job in advertising
33:20 | Getting hired at King Ursa
35:10 | What to put into your portfolio
40:05 | Hardest part of the job search
42:25 | Every work experience is transferrable
44:30 | The “What’s your favourite brand?” question

Thing’s I’ve Learned in Year 1ne
49:05 | Rookie mistake on not looking for mistakes
50:50 | Lesson learned on setting goals and advocating for yourself

The Hottest of Links and Resources 🔥
Connect with Kruthika Jayakumar on LinkedIn
Brands/organizations: King Ursa | Simons | Knix
Marketing and media tools: Microsoft 365 | Google Workspace | ChatGPT | Jasper.ai
Connect with The Year 1ne’s host Blair Smith: LinkedIn
Check out The Year 1ne’s show website for past episodes, show notes and more goodness

In his Year 1ne, Ray works as a Sports Content & Media Coordinator at George Brown College in the Athletics and Recreation department 🏀

Some of the highlights from Ray and Blair’s chat include how his job search journey went full circle over a few years from a coop placement to his current full-time role in content creation for athletics and recreation at George Brown College, what having a “get to job” is; and, the life learning he got from Mrs. Frizzle from The Magic School Bus…yes, it was a kids TV show from the 90’s.

In This Episode 🗣
Ray’s Year 1ne @ George Brown College: Athletics and Recreation
1:40 | A Full Circle Introduction for Ray
10:40 | Working as Sports Content & Media Coordinator
15:25 | Having a “I have a get to job!”
16:00 | Planning content for Athletics and Recreation
23:15 | How other roles at George Brown College prepared you
25:37 | The lululemon guest experience
28:35 | Making connections as a youth worker
30:30 | Everybody is a creative

Getting to Day 1ne: The Job Search
33:45 | Getting hired in Athletics and Recreation at George Brown College
36:30 | Having a learning mindset­–inspired by Mrs. Frizzle
39:00 | Frustrations with the job search
41:00 | Coming around full circle on your passion
46:15 | Betting on yourself–inspired by Fred VanVleet

Thing’s I’ve Learned in Year 1ne 
49:00 | Rookie mistake on thinking you know everything
51:35 | Lesson learned on trusting the process 

The Hottest of Links and Resources 🔥
Connect with Ray Harripaul: LinkedIn | Instagram
Brands/organizations: Formula1 (F1) | Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) | Ontario Basketball Association | lululemon | George Brown College Athletics | College of Sports Media
Marketing and media tools: Adobe Creative Cloud
Connect with The Year 1ne’s host Blair Smith: LinkedIn
Check out The Year 1ne’s show website for past episodes, show notes and more goodness 

In her Year 1ne, Rachel works as an Account Manager at Pinterest Canada on the Enterprise – Consumer Packaged Goods team 📌

Some of the highlights from Rachel and Blair’s chat include why it feels good to use and work at Pinterest (which you can’t say about many mainstream search engines and social networks), how to write a bulletproof resume; and the need to “balance being realistic with optimistic” to not oversell your skills.

In This Episode 🗣️
Rachel’s Year 1ne @ Pinterest Canada
2:25 | Introduction from Rachel
3:45 | Did you know Pinterest is a search engine?
6:10 | What attracted you to Pinterest?
9:25 | Working as an Account Manager on the advertising team
13:00 | Brand vs. performance marketing objectives
15:40 | Delivering compelling data-driven presentations
19:55 | Talking metrics for paid advertising
23:00 | Moving from creative to client service
26:30 | What’s on your mind in marketing right now?

Getting to Day 1ne: The Job Search
31:20 | Getting hired at Pinterest
32:30 | The bulletproof resume
34:25 | Balance “being optimistic with realistic” with your skills
38:10 | The typical tech company hiring process
41:40 | Hardest part of the job search
42:50 | How did previous work experience help

Thing’s I’ve Learned in Year 1ne
44:55 | Rookie mistake on overselling current skills going into an interview
46:05 | Rookie mistake on being a perfectionist and risk of burnout
48:30 | Lesson learned to “raise your hand”
51:15 | Pro tip on failure

The Hottest of Links and Resources 🔥
Connect with Rachel Cooper: LinkedIn
Brands/organizations: Pinterest Canada | StackAdapt
Marketing and media tools: Pinterest Ads Manager | Microsoft Excel | Salesforce
Connect with The Year 1ne’s host Blair Smith: LinkedIn
Check out The Year 1ne’s show website for past episodes, show notes and more goodness 

In her Year 1ne, Rebecca’s worked as Social Media Coordinator at Inkbox, the semi-permanent tattoo company ❣ and as Digital Marketing Coordinator at Pocketed, a financial services startup 💰

After years of post-secondary education in pursuit of a career in teaching, like many, Rebecca was forced to pivot during the pandemic, ultimately landing her in the digital marketing space where she hasn’t looked back.

Some of the highlights from Rebecca and Blair’s chat include the importance of a “taking a shot” mindset to help get a job she loves, how thinking about buying shoes can help with the job search; and, why the algorithms are always on her mind.

In This Episode 🗣️
Rebecca’s Year 1ne @ Inkbox
1:05 | Overview of Inkbox
2:30 | Working as a social media coordinator…on a social savvy brand
5:25 | Discussing the important of user-generated content (UGC)
7:10 | Dealing with “the algorithm” of social networks
11:15 | Riding the roller coaster of trending content
15:20 | Who’s the competition for Inkbox?
20:35 | What’s on your mind in marketing right now?

Getting to Day 1ne: The Job Search
23:30 | Getting the job at Pocketed
26:25 | Getting the job at Inkbox
27:15 | Hardest part of the job search
29:15 | Turning down a job offer

Thing’s I’ve Learned in Year 1ne
32:55 | Rookie mistake on not sharing ideas
35:00 | Lesson learned from “missing a shot”
37:10 | Lesson learned on experimentation

The Hottest of Links and Resources 🔥
Connect with our guest Rebecca Connolly: LinkedIn
Brands/organizations: Pocketed | Inkbox | Bic | Indeed
Marketing and media tools: Hootsuite | Later | Google Analytics | Canto | Geneva | Discord
Connect with The Year 1ne’s show host Blair Smith: LinkedIn
Check out The Year 1ne’s show website for past episodes, show notes and more goodness

In her Year 1ne in Canada, Alia's been working as an Account Manager at OLIVER Agency where she leads campaigns for Manulife’s Insurance, Bank, and Real Estate businesses. Prior to this, Alia worked in banking for almost 9 years in the Middle East & Africa, before deciding to make a career and life change to move to Canada and get into advertising in client service.

Some of the things that Alia and Blair discuss include how client service is essential “connective tissue” in an advertising agency, the fun of crafting a good creative brief; and, the important questions to answer to better position yourself in the job search.

• Connect with Alia Khadem on LinkedIn
• Connect with Blair Smith on LinkedIn
• Check out The Year 1ne’s show website for guest information, past episodes and show notes

In his Year 1ne, Ahmed's been working as a Growth Marketing Consultant with international reach. He’s based in Egypt and works with clients in Europe, Middle-East North Africa and the USA across a range of industries–from edtech to fashion to telecommunications.

Some of the things that Ahmed and Blair discuss include his year one(ish) working in growth marketing, how he’s connected the dots across his range of industry experience with the 360° Funnel Mastermind; and, why doing AB testing is essential for online marketing.  

• Connect with Ahmed Kamel on LinkedIn | Website
• Connect with Blair Smith on LinkedIn
• Check out The Year 1ne’s show website for guest information, past episodes and show notes