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A year ago this week, the marketing industry’s jaw hit the floor. Sudden layoffs, small business closures, and a scared-straight stock market sent our collective heads spinning as the pandemic took hold in the US.
But we’re a year older and wiser now, beyond ready to start the healing process. With that in mind, Marketing Brew asked three different marketers where their careers were on March 12, 2020, and where the year no one will forget carried their professional journeys.
“Quarantine hit, and the meeting frequency only increased.”
Jack Appleby, senior creative strategist, Twitch
Back in March 2020, I was at an ad agency working insane hours—had a 2am night my second week on the job. Then quarantine hit, and the meeting frequency only increased.
When a layoff put me back on the job market, I focused on positions that'd let me focus on making work instead of managing while we waited out the pandemic. Five months into my new job at Twitch, I'm realizing that while I truly love teaching and working with young talent, I'm ultimately at my happiest in small teams of equal-leveled folks.
“Everything was changing at the same time.”
Aaron Green, senior connections planner, R/GA
On March 12, 2020, I was in Fort Greene, spending a week with a friend’s dog, Rocco. I was [also]…preparing to start a new job at R/GA. Everything was changing at the same time, and I had no idea that a few days later I’d be flying to Tennessee for a 10-month stay. A year later, I’m lucky to be back in Brooklyn, and I can say work has been great.
“There was a much bigger opportunity to make an impact.”
Elise Brown, director of marketing, Anthemis Group
At the start of the pandemic, I was a product marketing manager focused on go-to-market strategies. As the year evolved…I found myself leaning into all aspects of marketing, due to my experience and the firm's need to keep up with the current environment.
I also was aware that given the social unrest, there was a much bigger opportunity to make an impact to retell the brand story and strengthen relationships across our communities. I haven't stopped developing new initiatives and programs since.