Marketing Intern Review

On a daily basis, my role involves working alongside retail marketing, education, commercial, PR and Comms to plan exciting new activations for launches and refreshing existing campaigns so our commercial team can drive salon conversions and increase door penetration of our products to increase overall revenue for the brand. It also involves communcating with different stakeholders to initiate new campaigns/events.

Over the past year, I have learnt a plethora of data-driven skills including data management, analysis of various types of data, HTML coding, building various reports as well as Google Analytics 360. Other skills I have developed include communicating with various stakeholders, becoming more confident within a diverse team, managing my time to ensure maxmium efficiency, presentation skills to a variety of audiences, taking inspiration from other brands/businesses, pitching innovative ideas and liasing with different functions (such as supply chain and finance) to ensure we are in a good position for future brand activations.

In my first few months, I was given a few minor responsibilities and was slowly given more over time. When my manager left the company in March, I had to manage effectively one entire revenue-driving element of my brand during it's most hectic period. I had to manage 5 separate brand awareness events within the space of 14 days nationwide alongside my own and manager's workload. I also had the responsibility of planning the next set of activations for the brand with the brand manager and wider team - which are coming along extremely well.

I was supported a lot during my placement by my line manager and the brand manager. Whenever there was a extremely large workload, I was able to go to my manager and discuss the best possible way of tackling them and ensuring we get everything done to a high standard and keep all stakeholders happy. Me and my line manager also got along really well and we could work together in planning, executing and reporting our activations. The wider team were also instrumental during the period of not having a direct line manager. Whenever I had a question (however obscure or simple), I knew I could go to anyone and find out the answer or be directed to someone who may know the answer. The team were really friendly and we supported each other consistently throughout the year. Without them, I would not have had the guidance on working effectively and also maintaining a healthy work/life balance.

The company has a really strong drive for encouraging people to be themselves and any idea you may have is welcome. I know in my division (Professional Products) the work environment was extremely positive. Our head of division [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyPlacement Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] was an extremely lively, enthusiastic and amazing woman to lead our division and would always love having a chat with interns (whether that be in the elevator or when we're grabbing a coffee). Our division also had a number of socials in the office every month to celebrate our triumphs and also havea bit of leisure time after working extremely hard! It truly is a good company to work for and their values on topics such as diversity, sustainability and supporting local communities in a variety of ways (e.g. Citizens Day).

Initially, I felt a bit detached from my role as I didn't understand it. But after I had understood my function, I really began to enjoy not only what I was doing, but also enjoying the moments working with the team and becoming friends with them. It was truly a whirlwind of an experience and seeing the end result of months of planning is probably the most satisfying experience.

Yes

The interview process is difficult in the sense that you need to prepare a presentation on a case study which has been given to you 3 days prior to the interview and also preparing for a 1-1 interview on your personality and skills. If you go in to the roles being confident, conversational and also demonstrating your passion via the past experiences you have been through (e.g. a uni module you may have completed or an impressive feat at a previous job) you have a good chance at impressing the interviewer. If I was to reapply I would say the below: Go in with an open mind - you may be put into a role for a brand you're not familiar with. It's normal for that to happen but if you show your willingness to learn from your own research, asking the team around you and really immersing yourself into the role, it's amazing what you can imagine and create.