From firefighting dreams to living the agency high life
A recent addition to the agency team, account manager, Sam Connor has already settled comfortably into studio life, looking after the day-to-day for several key client relationships. With a solid agency pedigree, Sam oozes natural Northern Warmth which makes him a perfect fit.
Tell us about your career to date?
I was first bitten by the creative agency bug at University, where I was given a taste of advertising and marketing theory, as well as the wider creative processes employed by Advertising and Marketing agencies around the world.
But like many, my first role outside of University did not see me plying my dream trade in a creative agency, but rather in a phone shop selling contracts, broadband and tablets in Manchester City Centre. After a short stint here and many iPhones sold later, I acquired my CIM Professional Certificate in Marketing from a night course and landed my first job in marketing as a Marketing Assistant in a Humanitarian Aid company that provided bespoke solutions to those affected by natural disasters and war.
It was after this job that I finally landed my first role in a B2B Marketing Agency as an Account Executive in rural Ramsbottom; working with a diverse range of exciting clients in a number of sectors ranging from road sweepers, artificial grass and pet toys to name a few.
Fast forward 5 years and I have worked at some of the most renowned B2B, B2C and Shopper Marketing and Advertising agencies in the world; managing a range of online and offline campaigns for some of the world’s biggest brands and working alongside and learning first hand from some of the most creative and strategic people in the business. All in all, making for priceless experience that has taught me not only the fundamentals of excellent account handling and project management, but also how to think strategically and use insights to make a positive impact and add real value to a client’s business.
What was your initial impression of Studio North?
Since day one, the team have been so welcoming, and it’s been clear from the off that everyone is genuine, honest, hardworking and willing to go the extra mile for every client and each other. From the top down there is an infectious passion to constantly push and explore how things can be done better and improve in order to create genuine value and the best creative solutions for clients and new prospects alike.
What do you enjoy most about being part of the Client Service team?
No two days are the same. Being part of the Client Service team brings new meaning to wearing many hats and spinning many plates and it is this variety which keeps things exciting and what I enjoy most. One day could see me gathering insights to form the basis of a brand strategy or proposition for one client and another could be spent pitching for new business!
As well as this, I must confess I enjoy being a stickler for the detail and this is a must for anyone working in a Client Service team, as ultimately you have to be a safe pair of hands and remain switched on at all times to ensure each project is run on time and on budget for the benefit of both the agency and your clients.
What did you want to be when you were younger?
Since a very early age I was certain I wanted to become a Firefighter, but sadly my teens taught me that I couldn’t commit to a lifetime of being known as ‘Fireman Sam’, so since that realisation I searched for inspiration for my future career and eventually found it at University and excitedly pushed for a career Marketing and Advertising!
What is an interesting or unusual fact about yourself?
I failed my driving theory test 7 times… I’m not sure if that is an interesting or unusual fact about myself or just highlights how long it took me to learn the rules of the road. I can now proudly say I eventually passed my theory test though and also passed my practical test first time!
