Karenna, Account Manager at Icon Media Direct: Advize Career Interview

A career in media and advertising offers dynamic, ever-evolving opportunities, as illustrated by Icon Media Direct's Account Manager, Karenna.

The journey began with marketing agency internships and a marketing mentorship role at Cal Poly, building foundational knowledge and valuable relationships.

A successful LinkedIn application led to a rapid promotion from Account Coordinator to Account Manager, showcasing a strong work ethic and strategic thinking.

The role demands strong communication, data analysis, and project management skills, requiring daily adaptation to client needs and internal team collaboration within a constantly changing industry.

The most significant challenge involves navigating diverse personalities, but also represents a rewarding opportunity for continuous personal and professional growth.

Entry-level positions such as Account Coordinator, Client Services, or Media Assistant provide pathways into this exciting and stable field, where strong attention to detail, an analytical mindset, and adaptability are key for success.

Undergraduate involvement in career services, networking, and gaining practical experience are highly recommended.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Karenna Case

Account Manager

Icon Media Direct

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

n/a

Business Management & Admin

Advertising, Communications & Marketing

Sales and Client Management

Greek Life Member

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Career Path of an Account Manager at Icon Media Direct

Karenna's career path began with marketing agency internships providing "good exposure to how an agency run[s]," followed by a valuable role as a marketing mentor at Cal Poly, solidifying fundamental knowledge and building professor relationships. After graduation, a successful cold application on LinkedIn secured Karenna's current position at Icon, progressing from Account Coordinator to Account Manager within a year.

Career Path of an Account Manager at Icon Media Direct

Main Responsibilities Of An Account Manager At Icon Media Direct

Karenna's main responsibilities as an Account Manager at Icon Media Direct center on being "the primary contact for the client," managing communication and needs, and driving "the development and implementation of media strategies," requiring close collaboration with internal teams and market awareness. This role showcases expertise in client relations, media strategy, and internal team coordination within a marketing agency.

Main Responsibilities Of An Account Manager At Icon Media Direct

A Day in the Life of an Account Manager at Icon Media Direct

Karenna's role as an Account Manager at Icon Media Direct involves a dynamic day-to-day, with "no day...exactly the same," driven by client needs and current events, such as recent world news impacting their work. A significant portion of the job focuses on client communication, media strategy development, and continuous research to identify new growth opportunities.

A Day in the Life of an Account Manager at Icon Media Direct

Most Important Skills for an Account Manager at Icon Media Direct

Karenna, an Account Manager at Icon Media Direct, emphasizes the importance of strong communication skills, including "being able to ask people for things and listening and understanding their responses," combined with strategic thinking, data analysis, and robust project management skills to succeed in their role. Building and maintaining strong interpersonal relationships with both clients and internal teams is also key to success.

Most Important Skills for an Account Manager at Icon Media Direct

Favorite Parts Of Being An Account Manager At Icon Media Direct

Karenna enjoys the dynamic nature of her Account Manager role at Icon Media Direct, stating that "my job is never boring," because the media industry's constant evolution provides continuous learning opportunities and collaboration with diverse departments.

Favorite Parts Of Being An Account Manager At Icon Media Direct

Biggest Challenges Faced by an Account Manager at Icon Media Direct

Karenna's biggest challenge as an Account Manager at Icon Media Direct is "managing all the personalities involved," requiring constant adaptation to diverse communication styles and opinions. This necessitates a continuous learning process of knowing "when to listen, when to speak up," highlighting the importance of interpersonal skills in account management.

Biggest Challenges Faced by an Account Manager at Icon Media Direct

Favorite Parts Of Working In The Media And Advertising Industry As An Account Manager

Karenna enjoys the "exciting and dynamic" nature of the media and advertising industry, finding the constant growth and change—particularly within the streaming sector—stimulating, while also appreciating its inherent stability. The combination of established presence and ongoing evolution makes it a compelling field for Karenna's career.

Favorite Parts Of Working In The Media And Advertising Industry As An Account Manager

What Type of Person Thrives in the Media Industry, According to an Account Manager at Icon Media Direct

Success in the media industry hinges on "strong attention to detail," excellent communication, and an "analytical mindset" to make data-driven decisions; adaptability and a curious nature regarding emerging trends further enhance career longevity.

What Type of Person Thrives in the Media Industry, According to an Account Manager at Icon Media Direct

What an Account Manager at Icon Media Direct Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Media Industry

Karenna, an Account Manager at Icon Media Direct, advises that the transition to full-time work is "overwhelming," but this feeling is "valid, normal and okay." The importance of networking, even if initially intimidating, is crucial for career advancement, with Karenna emphasizing the value of attending office events and "saying yes" to opportunities to interact with senior colleagues.

What an Account Manager at Icon Media Direct Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Media Industry

Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Account Managers

Karenna, an Account Manager at Icon Media Direct, shares that entry-level roles on the agency side include "account coordinator and client services," or, for those interested in media buying, "media assistants" who "assist the buyers." These positions offer undergraduates a pathway into the media field.

Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Account Managers

Significant Career Lesson From an Account Manager at Icon Media Direct

Karenna's most significant career lesson involved understanding different communication styles, acknowledging that "just because someone sounded annoyed in an email does not mean that that was the intent." This improved their ability to tailor communication for optimal effectiveness, fostering trust and reducing the intimidation factor in corporate settings.

Significant Career Lesson From an Account Manager at Icon Media Direct

College Experiences That Helped An Account Manager At Icon Media Direct Succeed

Karenna's undergraduate success stemmed from leveraging "career services" resources like resume workshops and department work experience, which provided "a ton of stuff to talk about in job interviews," particularly media research platform experience. Networking through marketing clubs fostered valuable connections, providing support and even referrals, resulting in continued relationships and career advancement.

College Experiences That Helped An Account Manager At Icon Media Direct Succeed

Advizer Personal Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/karennacase/