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Gideon, Global Brand Marketing Manager at Snap Inc.: Advize Career Interview
A career path from environmental engineering to a Global Brand Marketing Manager role at Snap Inc. demonstrates the unexpected opportunities available.
This individual's journey highlights a pivotal student brand management experience at Red Bull, leading to agency work focused on Gen Z and a role at Tinder.
The current position involves managing impactful social impact and teen safety initiatives at Snap Inc., demanding project management, adaptability, and collaboration across numerous teams.
A passion for the company vision, creative marketing, and a lighthearted approach are key attributes for success, along with the ability to navigate competing priorities and embrace change.
Entry-level positions like marketing coordinator or specialist are suggested for aspiring marketers, emphasizing the importance of saying "yes" to diverse opportunities and discovering individual passions.
This career underscores the value of adaptability, early career planning, and a strong portfolio to thrive in the fast-paced tech industry.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Gideon Spitzer-Williams
Global Brand Marketing Manager
Snap Inc.
University of New Hampshire 11'
N/A
Engineering - Environmental
Technology
Communication and Marketing
Worked 20+ Hours in School
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Career Path Of A Global Brand Marketing Manager At Snap Inc.
Gideon's career path took an unexpected turn from environmental engineering to marketing after a life-changing experience as a Red Bull student brand manager, leading to eight and a half years with the company and subsequent roles at an agency focusing on Gen Z ("a lot of events") and Tinder. This progression culminated in Gideon's current position at Snap Inc., where they now manage global social impact and trust and safety initiatives.
Main Responsibilities of a Global Brand Marketing Manager at Snap Inc.
As a Global Brand Marketing Manager at Snap Inc., Gideon leads marketing efforts for Snapchat's community well-being initiatives, focusing on trust and safety, particularly teen safety. This involves collaborating with policy and communications teams, developing marketing strategies—"finding the one or two ways to do it right"—for sensitive topics, and overseeing all creative aspects, from design to broader brand strategy.
A Day in the Life of a Global Brand Marketing Manager at Snap Inc
Gideon's role as a Global Brand Marketing Manager at Snap Inc. is anything but monotonous; "there's no day that is the same," as Gideon states, juggling agency collaborations on creative assets, internal team feedback integration, legal compliance (even emoji usage!), and a large Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiative. This variety, involving "always a different challenge," is what keeps Gideon energized.
Most Important Skills For A Global Brand Marketing Manager At Snap Inc
Gideon, a Global Brand Marketing Manager at Snap Inc., emphasizes three crucial skills: a "passion" for the products and company vision, strong project management abilities honed from a prior engineering background allowing for both organization and speed, and the importance of not taking oneself too seriously to foster a positive and collaborative work environment. This blend of professional expertise and a lighthearted approach, according to Gideon, is key to success in their role.
Favorite Parts of Being a Global Brand Marketing Manager at Snap Inc.
Gideon, a Global Brand Marketing Manager at Snap Inc., finds immense satisfaction in the "smart and creative" company culture and the impactful nature of the work. The ability to contribute to significant social impact initiatives, such as teen safety campaigns, where even a single positive outcome is a "huge win," is a primary source of professional fulfillment for Gideon.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Global Brand Marketing Manager at Snap Inc.
Gideon, a Global Brand Marketing Manager at Snap Inc., cites navigating cross-functional collaboration as the biggest challenge. This involves working with numerous teams—"everyone from Communications teams to policy, products, legal"—requiring constant effort to "help a project…still move along" amidst competing priorities.
Favorite Parts of Working in Marketing as a Global Brand Marketing Manager
Gideon, a Global Brand Marketing Manager at Snap Inc., finds the creative aspect of marketing most rewarding, a significant shift from their engineering background. The ability to make "something that potentially is mundane...look amazing and appeal to other people" is what makes the marketing industry so impactful to them, highlighting the power of messaging in shaping brand perception.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Tech Industry, According To A Brand Marketing Manager At Snap Inc.
Gideon, a Global Brand Marketing Manager at Snap Inc., identifies adaptability and conviction as key traits for success in the tech industry, stating that those who "really thrive...are not afraid to take a stance" while also being "able to pivot" amidst constant change. The fast-paced nature of the tech landscape demands flexibility to "react and change" with shifting deadlines and creative demands.
What A Global Brand Marketing Manager At Snap Inc. Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Marketing Industry
Gideon, a Global Brand Marketing Manager at Snap Inc., found the transition from environmental engineering, a field with "black and white" answers, to the subjective nature of marketing challenging. The "heavily creative" and "opinionated" environment, where "both ideas can be right," initially caused stress, a feeling that persists even after a decade in the industry, highlighting the importance of managing competing perspectives in marketing.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Brand Marketers at Snap Inc.
Gideon, a Global Brand Marketing Manager at Snap Inc., advises undergraduates interested in marketing to explore entry-level roles like "marketing coordinator" or "marketing specialist," suggesting that "saying yes to as many things as" possible helps one discover their preferences within the broad field of brand marketing. The key, according to Gideon, is finding a position that generates excitement and aligns with individual interests.
Significant Career Lesson From A Global Brand Marketing Manager At Snap Inc.
Gideon, a Global Brand Marketing Manager at Snap Inc., cites adaptability as the most significant lesson learned in their career, highlighting the difficulty of letting go of projects when pivoting is necessary. The interviewee emphasizes the importance of being "okay with change" in a constantly evolving professional landscape, acknowledging that this remains an ongoing challenge.
College Experiences That Helped a Global Brand Marketing Manager at Snap Inc. Succeed
Gideon's environmental engineering background fostered "a very analytical project management mindset," crucial for their current role. Early career planning, including a student brand manager position at Red Bull and active involvement in marketing clubs, built a strong portfolio and management experience, significantly contributing to their success as a Global Brand Marketing Manager at Snap Inc.
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