After reaching the half way point on her year’s placement with Turn Key, our Digital Account Executive and Northumbria University student, Olivia Nicholson, gives an insight into her first six months of agency life…
Last year, as a second year Business Marketing student up in the ‘toon’ of Newcastle, I knew I wanted a taster of the creative agency lifestyle and to gain some first-hand industry experience in the ever-changing world of Digital Marketing. After applying to work with Turn Key and getting through my interview, I received a call confirming that I had been chosen to be a part of the team for the year.  Exploding with excitement, I ran into every housemate’s room waking them up with my fantastic news!
Leaving my student bubble and returning to my Yorkshire roots filled me with nerves and excitement. The nerves soon disappeared within the first few days of meeting the Turn Key team. Everyone was helpful and friendly, plus the uplifting atmosphere of the office makes you feel welcome as soon as you step through the door. After the first month of learning about internal processes within the business and the spectrum of clients Turn Key works with, I was finally finding my feet.
I was immediately involved in the behind the scenes work that is undertaken for clients; competitor research into new business ideas, editing pages on live websites, constructing email content (in a variety of languages!) and exploring the world of Google analytics.
As the months have passed, my responsibility has grown, along with my personal development. From answering clients’ calls requesting amends to their websites to presenting my own competitor research in pitches to potential new clients, I’ve been given some fantastic opportunities. I’m also responsible for the company newsletter, this involves gathering exciting news from each of the departments every month and deciding what projects and messages we’d like to share and promote. In my down time during the day I like to brush up on my learning of the marketing industry by reading online blogs/discussions and researching more into the technological world of digi – geeky, I know!
Some of my personal highlights to date are:
- Bringing the most adventurous (and stupid) props to the ‘meet the team’ photo shoot (see photo!)
- My newly appointed nicknames – Lynchy and Nivea.
- Being a part of the myBunjee photo shoot and spending the day with new clients
- The hilarious yet exhausting team away day – thanks again for the photo of me asleep on the coach home!
- The Chaophraya re-launch party with some of the team enjoying Thai food and drink, live music and entertainment
- Girls night! Our monthly tradition of a girly evening filled with gossip and giggles
- And of course, the friendships I’ve built during the past few months
I cannot thank the digital team enough for their support and guidance over the past six months. They have made me feel truly part of the team with our daily banter over James’ singing and laughing at website animations has made my time with Turn Key invaluable. Surrounded by such a talented group of people has driven my determination to embrace my time here and excel in my final year of university. Let the next six months commence!
