November’s spotlight interview is with our fab Senior Account Executive, Jessie Wolmark.
How long have you been at Mando-Connect and how has your career progressed during this time?
I’ve been at Mando-Connect for just over a year, and my career has progressed by moving from Account Executive to a Senior Account Executive and by taking on a lot more responsibilities and different workstreams such as Pay-As-You-Go and Competitor Review for our data engineer work. I feel like I’ve developed and learnt a lot more about different partnerships, not just on Vodafone but other companies like O2 and EE and seeing what they do and how it differs to Vodafone.
What did you want to be when you were younger?
I wanted to be a Lawyer – how things have changed! – I wanted to be a Lawyer in New York, that was my dream. I wanted to be it because I was very career driven, I wanted to do a law conversion, wanted to be in education. I thought it was a great job with great opportunities. Love Learning about Criminal law.
What’s your dream brand you want to work with?
It would be Selfridges. The reason for that is that it has multiple different brands all in one, from top designer brands to mainstream brands. I’d like to be able to do different things with all of them rather than just focusing on one. There are loads of opportunities and a wide target audience from very high end to the more affordable. They do tech, they do fashion – it’s everything in one place.
You love a holiday – where have you been to that you’d recommend to anyone looking for some time out for themselves?
I’d recommend South Africa! I went there 4 years ago, and did safari for a week then Cape Town. I think the going on safari gets you away from the norm, you don’t have great service out there, you can stay in a lodge and have time to yourself. You’ll get to meet people, so even if you’re by yourself there will be people around to speak to without social media or phones. You’re out all day in the wild with animals and nature, living your best life. Then you can go to Cape Town and get back a little to normal, and you’ve found yourself a little.
What have you learnt about yourself in the last few years?
That I’m very determined. I’ll make sure everything is done to my best ability, and I’ll never stop until I’ve achieved what I’ve wanted. I want to keep pushing myself until I succeed.
You studied Sociology at university, how do you think that fits together with going into Marketing?
We actually had a module about social media and how things are marketed on social media. That was the most interesting module, first of all. Also I think studying an academic subject helped me in being able to not only be creative but also able to deal with the academic side (paperwork?) of working.
If you had to work in a non-office environment, what job do you think you’d enjoy?
A pilot! I could fly to all different countries and go anywhere, living my best life!
What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
Bad feedback is the best feedback because you learn from your mistakes. Even if you’ve done something bad, you know you will not make the same mistake next time.
How do you think getting a morning workout helps set you up for the day?
It clears my mind. I wake up, go on the bike, get a workout – I feel good, it gets my ready for the day ahead and it gives me time to myself before I start at my desk for the day’s work.
If you could visit any country for three weeks, with money as no object, where would you go?
If money was no object, I’d go to multiple countries? If there’s only the one country, then it would be Japan. I’d travel around Japan – there’s also a Disneyland there, where I’d be for a whole three days! I’d love to learn about the different culture there and I love Japanese food and sushi – I’d eat my life away. The cherry blossoms and the lights would be incredible. If money was no object, I’d be in Japan and I’d learn so much as it’s so different from any other country.
What do you enjoy most about the work you do at Mando?
My favourite part of my job is sourcing new partners for the Vodafone VeryMe app. I love being creative and talking to new brands that I believe will deliver fantastic results. I also love owning the PAYG workstream whereby I have to think outside the box to deliver suitable rewards. Lastly, I really enjoy learning about different loyalty programs not just Vodafone but O2 and EE as well.
What are some of your favourite partnerships you’ve worked on recently?
I’ve worked with Shroot on providing Vodafone VeryMe users with free greeting cards which are sustainable and grow plants. I’ve also worked with Tails.com, an amazing dog food subscription brand, to offer a month’s free trial and 75% off their special products. I love working with grüum, who offer great skincare and beauty products with a focus on being eco-friendly.
