In the latest instalment of our leadership interview series, Amy Robinson-Nunn, Marketing Director at Distinct, reflects on her 15 years in the industry. She compares the perks of agency and in-house roles and shares valuable career advice for early to mid-career professionals, women in marketing and those returning to work after maternity leave.
As a member of Distinct’s board of directors, Amy leads the strategy of our internal marketing team and supports our continued growth throughout the UK and the US. Read her story below.
Before joining our recruitment agency, what other sectors did you work in?
Throughout my career, I’ve worked in various sectors, from retail to healthcare, education and technology. I love the variety marketing offers, as it means you can turn your hand to most industries. Of course, you need to adapt your strategies and approach, but you can often bring new insights and ideas that you won’t have a chance to gain if you remain in the same industry.
What are the unique strengths of in-house and agency marketing roles?
With in-house marketing, you see a project come to fruition. You’re in charge of the ideology, the creative and the delivery. In short, you see your ideas come to life. In agencies, the sheer variety has to be the big pull. You have opportunities to work cross-functionally with various talented individuals and test your lateral thinking on many different campaigns, brands and industries.
What aspects of working in marketing do you most enjoy?
Early in my career, I loved anything digital and SEO truly grabbed my heart. As I progressed, strategy became the area that interested me most. I enjoy analysing market challenges and business requirements to create a multi-channel, multi-layered approach. I’m a lateral thinker, so I love any opportunity to take a challenge and work out new methods to achieve the desired result. I also take great pride in supporting my team to grow their skills, progress their careers and develop as marketers.
Did any significant career challenges influence your development?
My biggest challenge was graduating into a recession. At the time, I remember that everyone’s response seemed to be, “Just work in your dad’s company for a bit”. My dad’s job couldn’t have been further from a business (or marketing) setting if he tried, so this wasn’t the most useful advice. However, this experience taught me that networking was key to success in marketing. I started with no connections, being the only person in my family aiming to work in a business environment. Yet, 15 years later, l have purposefully developed a strong network and am proud to be where I am today through my own efforts, with no family favours.
What skills or mentality do you believe are fundamental in marketing?
Learning absolutely everything we can and never uttering the words “that’s not my job.” Taking on additional marketing projects or supporting colleagues when they’re overrun means you’ll gain exposure to something new and learn skills you otherwise wouldn’t have a chance to explore. This leads to an increased skill set, which is how you will earn your next promotion (whether in your existing business or elsewhere).
Do you have career advice for early to mid-level marketing professionals?
Two pieces of advice I received in my career have stuck with me to this day:
- Don’t merge yourself into every other corporate body. A splash of personality can often go a long way.
- When you’re searching for a new marketing job, you know it’s the right move if it feels equal parts exciting and scary.
Immerse yourself in the marketing world. Right now, that means social media, AI and brand impact. However, the joy and challenge of marketing is that it constantly evolves and changes. What worked last year, won’t necessarily work today. So keep learning, try different approaches and don’t be afraid to fail – that’s often when you learn the most.
What is your advice for other women developing their marketing careers?
We know gender equality hasn’t been achieved yet, but we are moving in the right direction. Don’t be afraid to speak up in a room full of men. When I was younger, I just thought to myself “They are all someone’s dad, so they can’t be that scary.”
Something to note, though. While having a voice is key, it’s crucial to maintain strong professionalism. Don’t be tempted to mimic colleagues’ behaviour just to ‘fit in.’ Ensure you are competent in your field of expertise to command the respect you deserve in meetings. When you do reach a senior-level role, ensure you’re leading the way and supporting other women to join you. That’s how real change happens.
How was your experience returning to work after maternity leave?
I loved returning to work. Although it was daunting, I love marketing and was excited to get that part of my brain back up and running. Don’t get me wrong, it’s hard in many ways, from balancing work and nursery bugs to the guilt you feel when dropping your child off for the day when they’re upset. However, I’d like anyone reading to know that these are just small points in time.
Everyone’s life has crunch points, whether you have children or not. It’s just a new experience to work through. If I can share one tip for navigating the next part of your career, it would be to have strong boundaries and schedule time for yourself.
Thank you to Amy for sharing your story, valuable insights and advice with us.
How Distinct can support your marketing career goals
If you’re searching for a new marketing job with better pay, flexibility or career progression, our recruiters offer expert guidance and opportunities to align with your needs. We’ll support you at every stage, from your consultation to interviews and managing job offers. Contact us today or browse our marketing jobs board. Alternatively, if your business is looking for experienced marketing professionals to expand its team, please tell us your hiring requirements or browse our live candidate portal.
