This Spotlight is with the fab Emma Neckermann!
If you could gain a new skill overnight, what would it be?
I’d like to know how to play the drums. Both of my parents play and growing up we had a drum kit in our basement, but it was way too creepy to go down there, so I’ve never learned. I’m also not particularly musical, so it would be nice to skip the basement altogether and magically be able to play an instrument well. I played the violin for 10 years or so but somehow took almost nothing away from it. And then I moved to Chicago with a guitar that I’ve played only a handful of times, and which now sits idly with me in London.
Think about a brand you’re fiercely loyal to. What did they do to earn and keep your devotion?
Boots! The Advantage Card points and personalised offers make it really rewarding to shop there. I also love how easy it is to re-order items I’ve bought before via the app, which saves me a lot of time. I’ve also built up a slightly embarrassing number of points that I really need to spend at some point (probably on meal deals).
If you could swap lives with anyone for a day, who would it be?
It would have to be Mike Shinoda from Linkin Park. He’s such a creative genius and there’s so much that goes into his work. He is one of the band’s singer-songwriters, but he is also a producer and plays multiple instruments. I would love to have his talent for a day.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
My uncle once told me to just focus on what makes me happy. It sounds simple but I think about it a lot – especially when making big decisions. It’s always a good reminder to check in with myself.
What is one thing you’re really excited to learn about within the partnership and loyalty space now?
I work on Vodafone VeryMe Rewards, and I’m interested in learning more about how brands structure their loyalty programmes to drive customer retention and satisfaction. I’m also curious to learn how approaches differ across sectors, how success is measured, and how brands continue to grow and engage their customer base over time.
What is your most used app?
Spotify, for sure. I’m listening to music pretty much all the time, and when I’m not, it’s podcasts. I love a couple of German ones, like Fest & Flauschig and Kaulitz Hills. I also love being able to see live events that are relevant to me, so I check the app a lot.
Well, that’s great because it leads me to my next question- as someone who’s lived in Germany and the United States of America, what are some brands that you love that we might not have heard of?
One in the United States that you’ve definitely heard of, but that we unfortunately don’t have access to here, is Trader Joe’s. They have so much vegan stuff that I love and miss.
And then in Germany, there’s this amazing cinnamon roll chain called Cinnamood. I wish we had it here – it’s definitely my favourite sweet treat.
If you could hop on a plane tomorrow, where would you go?
I’d love to go to New Zealand. I’ve seen so many movies that were filmed there, but I’ve never been and it looks absolutely beautiful. I also have a good friend from there and she always tells me about her hometown, Wellington, which is also where they filmed What We Do in the Shadows!
You’ve been at Mando for just over six weeks -what three words would you use to describe it so far?
I’d say, collaborative, welcoming and fun. I started right before the office Christmas party and everyone immediately made me feel welcome and included, and I had a great time! And collaborative as when it comes to sourcing partners or taking on new projects, people really make themselves available for any questions and they’ve been super supportive.
