CB Hot Suit Takes: Zoe Alden, Head of Business Management, Special New Zealand
CB Hot Suit Takes is our new Q&A series for extremely busy CEOs and senior leaders across the industry ~ covering careers, creativity, challenges and the song that sums it all up. First up in the hot seat is Zoe Alden, Head of Business Management, Special New Zealand.
1.What made you get into advertising?
My dad! He made the switch from Accountancy to Marketing very early on in his career and family dinner bants often focussed on his work, new products and ideas. I became fascinated with consumerism – why people buy what they buy – and everything fell into place when I was given a golden opportunity for an internship at a small boutique agency in the heart of Covent Garden. I’d regularly have to pinch myself – the work, the very clever people and not to mention the legendary parties at Stringfellows. There was never any looking back.
2. Which piece of work are you most proud of, and why?
I was privileged to work on one of the many chapters of Lotto ads. I still think about this work, a heartfelt story about a solo mum raising her kids the best way she knew how. Her gift from the grave was a puzzle for her now grown-up kids to discover. Buried close to the Hills washing line they used to play around was a mind blowing surprise – a winning lotto ticket. She just wanted to leave one last surprise for them once she was gone. It’s a real roller coaster of emotion and beautifully captures the poignancy of a mother’s love.
3. What’s the biggest challenge you face in your role right now?
Nurturing confidence and momentum; both from a business and consumer perspective. I really believe that brands need to inspire possibilities and it’s only the boldest and most fearless who will capitalise on the inevitable growth we’re going to start to see as we shrug of the instability of the past few years. Let’s get going!
4. What’s the most recent thing you’ve learned – professionally or personally?
In challenging economic times, the value of a strong team culture and leadership is not only exponential but it’s also quite literally a survival strategy
5. What song best sums up your career so far?
The Animals “we gotta get out of this place if it’s the last thing we ever do”
Register for FREE HERE and receive the Campaign Brief Daily Bulletin and/or the global Best Ads Best of the Week Bulletin. Subscribe to Campaign Brief Magazine.
#More Creative News #No paywalls #No annual membership fees
Subscribe to Portfolio & Reel for current listings of Australian and NZ ad agency and production company leadership and key personnel