Veronica Swindale, MD of nesma, caught up with Nichola Elgie who won the Marketer of the Year award at the North East Marketing Awards. Nichola received this accolade due to the positive impact she has made on client campaigns with her strategic planning, creativity and innovative thinking.
What does it mean to you to be recognised by such an award?
When my MD, Dan Appleby, said he was entering me for the North East Marketer of the Year Award, I was blown away. For me, my role is all about making things happen behind the scenes, being that person that rallies the team and someone clients and partners can rely on to help plan and deliver compelling campaigns they’re proud to put their name to. To be recognised for playing a part in making many things happen, especially during such a tough time for the advertising industry, is one of my proudest moments.
Have you received any other awards?
No (unless you can count the Bad Driver Award at the annual Drummond Central Away Day). But I’m chuffed to say that campaigns I’ve led have won several awards at regional and national ceremonies over the last three years, including Marketing Week Masters, The Drum, Prolific North and the North East Marketing Awards. ‘Thank You’, our regional Covid campaign and the Greggs and PlayStation partnership have been recent winners – both highlights of my career so far.
We both have a keen interest in ensuring people have the right practical and professional skills to advance their careers. What do you think makes a person stand out, even when they are in their first job?
Having bags of enthusiasm, an interest, and a willingness to listen and learn makes a person stand out. These traits came from a place of passion for me personally, which gave me a good start. I loved all things marketing – my favourite adverts were the VW Polo Singing Dog advert by DDB and the Sony Bravia Play-Dough bunnies advert by Fallon London. And I wanted a piece of that.