Overview | Help Urban Outfitters grow in-store events! The Associate Project Manager, Marketing and Events will be responsible for managing the in-store event process from request to execution, monthly calendar and seasonal strategy. She/He will manage the day-to-day communication and event coordination between Home Office and the Urban Outfitters stores. The ideal candidate will be able to analyze and optimize the events strategy and process with an eye towards efficiency, business results and brand value. |
Responsibilities |
|
Qualifications |
|
Job Skills |
|
Education | B.S. in Marketing, Business, Communications or Public Relations preferred. |
Location | Philadelphia, PA |
Travel | Some travel required. |
aspire2inspireME_Brand Strategy
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Week 10 EOC: Dream Job
Career Opportunities: Urban Outfitters: Associate Project Manager, Marketing and Events
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Tag Line
My brand is myself. I write blogs and I write pitches for the design company I currently work for. "The brand experience is created from a brand vision" (Page 163) and my vision is to continue to bring fashion to the masses. With the pitches I write, I hope to bring attention to a small start-ups that deserves the chance of competing with bigger brands. I realize all it takes is one great mention in a popular magazine or television show and suddenly the brand goes from obscurity to becoming a household name. I write about the industry to educate others by sharing what I know in an entertaining way. I may not know much, but rest assured I know fashion. This is why I write.
Fashion is who I am. Writing is what I do. I'm like Carrie Bradshaw of Sex and the City. Except I don’t use as many pesky metaphors.
Fashion is who I am. Writing is what I do. I'm like Carrie Bradshaw of Sex and the City. Except I don’t use as many pesky metaphors.
My Specialty With Key Talents, Value, Passion, and Skills Included
Fashion
informs, persuades, and entertains. Its writings can be amorous love letters (“Mark
Jacobs Oh How I Love Thee, Let Me Count the Ways...”) or scathing editorials (“Thom
Browne What Were You Thinking?!”). It is infinitely fascinating how the landscape
has changed in the industry and has gone from once being completely inaccessible
to the average girl to now being democratized for the people by the people.
Designers are becoming more interactive with their customers and allowing them
to become involved with the brand. Runway shows are hitting the social media
platforms faster than the flash of a paparazzi lens and bloggers are the belle
du jour at fashion weeks across the globe. I am loyal to this industry because
it is loyal to its fans. Fashion creates open lines of communication across
different media and proves a strong work ethic because the wheels of the
industry never stop churning. Fashion has many perspectives on style and yet
always stays true to who it is. It sees a gap in the market and quickly fills
it with the latest and greatest innovations (highly responsive nanotextiles
anyone?). This is creative problem solving. Fashion may be knocked down but it
gets right back up with a smile on its face. Fashion is ever evolving while
never forgetting its roots. I AM FASHION.
Statement of My Specialty
I specialize in creating written pieces which extensively delivers the
message I intend to send to the reader. My pieces will effectively get the
point across with wit and style. “The consumer”,
or reader, “is buying something larger than the product
or service: they are buying into the philosophy and the spirit behind the brand”
(Page 162). My writing causes people to pause, reflect and then act.
This is what an employer wants to see from a great writer, journalist, or PR guru. Great
marketing revolves around the ability to create a desire for the product being
sold whether it be a toothbrush or an entire brand. I create this. “A designer must understand the environment in which the
brand exists, from the global context to its immediate environment and channel
of communication. A narrative can then be formed around the brand to help
communicate and contextualize the brand for its audience and for the designers”
(Page 68). It takes knowledge of who the audience is to sell them
something. My experience and schooling has given me the tools to seek this out
and write accordingly. My writing sells, persuades, moves, and transforms.
After all, it has already inspired you to hire me…
Top Five Talents
With the help
of those whom I spend more time with than my own family, I narrowed down my list of
talents to the top five. Drum roll please…
Creative Problem Solving. This was actually told to me by my current employer that it is a talent I possess (aw shucks). It got me thinking about previous job positions I have held and how I would approach problems that would arise. Yes, I do think “out of the box” for effective solutions and ideas. My vast interests coupled with the large amount of time watching television and reading newspapers and magazines as a youngster has afforded me the ability to think creatively and draw on different experiences and unorthodox views. "It is very rare that successful brands arise out of instinct alone. What some people call instinct is actually experience – the more experienced you get at working on brands the easier it will be to assimilate the required information" ( Page 193).
Loyalty. I’ve always been a loyal person. I have told my employers in the past, when I believe in something, I stick with it until the end. A company must have a vision and integrity for me to believe in it. If it does, I will dedicate my time and effort into making the business a success. I believe loyalty is what separates a mediocre employee from a great employee (coupled with a strong work ethic, of course). A loyal employee will not bash the employer, they will go above and beyond in problem solving, and they will act as a brand ambassador garnering the company new fans and potential customers/clients.
Entrepreneurship. I do not see myself owning my own business in the future but that does not stop me from acting as if I already do. I take a pride in who I work for and the work I do for them. This means possessing the ability to work effectively with others to create ideas that will take the business to the next level. I might not own the business, but I will work as if I do because I want to see the company grow, thrive, and become a household name in the fashion industry. “Leading business thinkers have said that the best way to predict the future is to create it. While brands may be here to stay, it can be difficult to establish where they’re heading” (Page 214). By exercising entrepreneurship, I want to make sure the path that the business I’m working for is going nowhere but up.
Writing. As I have said in previous posts, writing is my
gateway into the hearts and minds of those I may never even get the chance to
meet. Blogging connects me to people half way across the globe and expands my
brand. Author Melissa Davis has stated, “Brands need to
have a deeper connection with their consumers if they are to thrive and prosper”
(Page 73). Writing offers me that opportunity to connect.
Styling. Yes great style is subjective, but the fact is, I
have a sense of personal style and can translate that into styling others. I
have styled friends and clients for photoshoots and they have been pleased with
the results. Creative Problem Solving. This was actually told to me by my current employer that it is a talent I possess (aw shucks). It got me thinking about previous job positions I have held and how I would approach problems that would arise. Yes, I do think “out of the box” for effective solutions and ideas. My vast interests coupled with the large amount of time watching television and reading newspapers and magazines as a youngster has afforded me the ability to think creatively and draw on different experiences and unorthodox views. "It is very rare that successful brands arise out of instinct alone. What some people call instinct is actually experience – the more experienced you get at working on brands the easier it will be to assimilate the required information" ( Page 193).
Loyalty. I’ve always been a loyal person. I have told my employers in the past, when I believe in something, I stick with it until the end. A company must have a vision and integrity for me to believe in it. If it does, I will dedicate my time and effort into making the business a success. I believe loyalty is what separates a mediocre employee from a great employee (coupled with a strong work ethic, of course). A loyal employee will not bash the employer, they will go above and beyond in problem solving, and they will act as a brand ambassador garnering the company new fans and potential customers/clients.
Entrepreneurship. I do not see myself owning my own business in the future but that does not stop me from acting as if I already do. I take a pride in who I work for and the work I do for them. This means possessing the ability to work effectively with others to create ideas that will take the business to the next level. I might not own the business, but I will work as if I do because I want to see the company grow, thrive, and become a household name in the fashion industry. “Leading business thinkers have said that the best way to predict the future is to create it. While brands may be here to stay, it can be difficult to establish where they’re heading” (Page 214). By exercising entrepreneurship, I want to make sure the path that the business I’m working for is going nowhere but up.
Talents
This is honestly the hardest list to produce. I can say I
have many positive attributes and qualities but talents…that’s a little harder
to identify. I wish I could say I can spin twelve plates on my head all while juggling bowling pins, but alas, my talents are a bit more mundane.
I have been recognized as a creative writer from an early age. I remember being chosen in third grade to go up in front of the class to read aloud my Halloween story and with pride, I (hopefully) gave all my classmates a little chill up their spine. This has been a reoccurring theme throughout school. I would be chosen for writing contests, classmates would ask for help in their assignments, and teachers/professors would choose my assignments to read aloud to the class. I use my writing as a way to connect to people I could not otherwise effectively communicate to, people across the globe and in my own neighborhoods through the power of social media and blogging. My writing “encompasses both the visual and tangible elements of the brand, as well as the emotional and intangible pieces that create a connection between the brand and the consumer” (Page 12). It speaks to who am I am and how I want the world to perceive me.
I suppose another talent I’ve cultivated since childhood is my musical ability. I was extremely shy as a child so I decide to play an instrument to meet other kids in my class. I chose the viola and thus started my ascent into geekdom. I’m kidding, I loved it. It unleashed in me another powerful means of communication much like my writing. I realized early on people responded to the music I played in a (mostly) positive way and that gave me confidence. I practiced diligently and eventually became lead chair in not only my classes but in youth city wide orchestras as well. My musical talent lent itself to other attributes I’ve found in myself such as dedication, strong work ethic, and an appreciation for all arts.
As I grew to become more confident in my abilities, I discovered I had valuable opinions and was able to convey that through public speaking. I can speak confidently about subjects because I thoroughly research what I speak about and engage the audience. My ability to speak publicly affords me the talent of persuasion. People have told me I have a way of making people see my side of things and I consider it a talent. For my personal brand, this is invaluable. “Making sure consumers can see clear differences between brands is an easy way to develop a clear ‘offer’ or ‘unique selling point’ (USP) that it otherwise might not have” (Page 160). To be clear, this is not manipulation, I do not use untruthful tactics to persuade someone. I simply engage the person with emotional appeal and concrete facts.
Some other talents I have been told I possess are the ability to style clothing well. This is completely subjective, but nonetheless, I count it as a talent. I also listen well to others. This is quickly becoming a long lost ability as people today have much to say and no time to listen.
I have been recognized as a creative writer from an early age. I remember being chosen in third grade to go up in front of the class to read aloud my Halloween story and with pride, I (hopefully) gave all my classmates a little chill up their spine. This has been a reoccurring theme throughout school. I would be chosen for writing contests, classmates would ask for help in their assignments, and teachers/professors would choose my assignments to read aloud to the class. I use my writing as a way to connect to people I could not otherwise effectively communicate to, people across the globe and in my own neighborhoods through the power of social media and blogging. My writing “encompasses both the visual and tangible elements of the brand, as well as the emotional and intangible pieces that create a connection between the brand and the consumer” (Page 12). It speaks to who am I am and how I want the world to perceive me.
I suppose another talent I’ve cultivated since childhood is my musical ability. I was extremely shy as a child so I decide to play an instrument to meet other kids in my class. I chose the viola and thus started my ascent into geekdom. I’m kidding, I loved it. It unleashed in me another powerful means of communication much like my writing. I realized early on people responded to the music I played in a (mostly) positive way and that gave me confidence. I practiced diligently and eventually became lead chair in not only my classes but in youth city wide orchestras as well. My musical talent lent itself to other attributes I’ve found in myself such as dedication, strong work ethic, and an appreciation for all arts.
As I grew to become more confident in my abilities, I discovered I had valuable opinions and was able to convey that through public speaking. I can speak confidently about subjects because I thoroughly research what I speak about and engage the audience. My ability to speak publicly affords me the talent of persuasion. People have told me I have a way of making people see my side of things and I consider it a talent. For my personal brand, this is invaluable. “Making sure consumers can see clear differences between brands is an easy way to develop a clear ‘offer’ or ‘unique selling point’ (USP) that it otherwise might not have” (Page 160). To be clear, this is not manipulation, I do not use untruthful tactics to persuade someone. I simply engage the person with emotional appeal and concrete facts.
Some other talents I have been told I possess are the ability to style clothing well. This is completely subjective, but nonetheless, I count it as a talent. I also listen well to others. This is quickly becoming a long lost ability as people today have much to say and no time to listen.
Passions
“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a
day in your life.”
― Confucius
The idea that most inspires me is the melding of the two worlds in fashion, designer labels collaborating with mass market labels. This idea has been coined “the Democratization of Fashion”. There used to be a time where only the wealthy could afford high designer labels and it was inaccessible to the middle class person (unless you explored the black market of counterfeits, of course). Since the downturn of the economy, the business of fashion has changed. In my eyes, for the better. Designers are flocking to retailers like Target and H&M to collaborate on one-off collections available to the masses who admire their designs but could previously never afford to purchase anything. Everyone from Marc Jacobs to Mr. Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld himself, are joining hands with retailers to expose their brand to a new market. “Brands that provide enjoyment will stand out in the future. It is a differentiator and a way to get noticed” (Page 136). This makes the consumer excited to shop and becomes a win win for everyone involved.
Last but certainly not least, I enjoy writing. It becomes a release for me, a catharsis of sorts, when I am not able to express myself so eloquently in speech. I have quite the imagination so I love creative writing and when I can couple that with my “passion for fashion”, it is when I truly shine. I enjoy writing about my experiences in the fashion industry, what it is like working for a fashion start up, and where I see the industry going. “The ‘human factor’ talks about how brands and individuals are now seeking to connect at a different level with more audience participation and truthful engagement” (Page 214). I like to infuse my writing with wit and poignant observations which I believe connects with readers on a basic human level, as author Melissa Davis points out. I encourage my readers to explore further for themselves what they deem to be the truth and in turn inspire someone else with their findings. It becomes a collaboration of sorts further allowing people of different backgrounds and social status to dialogue about issues that affect us. Indeed, the democratization of fashion is upon us.
― Confucius
It’s the passions and talents we have that keep us motivated
as industry professionals to become successful. What fuels me is anchored in
the creative pursuits of individuals in the fashion industry, from designers to
writers to trendsetters.
As cliché as this will sound, fashion IS my passion. I find
it infinitely interesting to delve into the creative process of designing
wearable works of art. This is mostly seen in the haute couture runways of
Paris but even in the pret-a-porter of American designers, it is astounding to
see how an idea gets translated into fashion. Reading about what passions and
ideas fuels designers in their creative process in turn feeds my desire to know
all I can about the industry. "A
good designer will not mimic a trend, but use it to create something new. The
best designers start trends" ( Page 122). However, this is just a segment of the industry
in which is much more vast than the average person tends to think about. The
average person cannot afford designer clothing so we turn to mass market labels
to provide us with the latest trends at the fraction of the price of runway
designs. It can be just as rewarding to discover the process of designing for
mass market labels such as Zara or H&M, from sourcing to manufacturing. The idea that most inspires me is the melding of the two worlds in fashion, designer labels collaborating with mass market labels. This idea has been coined “the Democratization of Fashion”. There used to be a time where only the wealthy could afford high designer labels and it was inaccessible to the middle class person (unless you explored the black market of counterfeits, of course). Since the downturn of the economy, the business of fashion has changed. In my eyes, for the better. Designers are flocking to retailers like Target and H&M to collaborate on one-off collections available to the masses who admire their designs but could previously never afford to purchase anything. Everyone from Marc Jacobs to Mr. Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld himself, are joining hands with retailers to expose their brand to a new market. “Brands that provide enjoyment will stand out in the future. It is a differentiator and a way to get noticed” (Page 136). This makes the consumer excited to shop and becomes a win win for everyone involved.
Last but certainly not least, I enjoy writing. It becomes a release for me, a catharsis of sorts, when I am not able to express myself so eloquently in speech. I have quite the imagination so I love creative writing and when I can couple that with my “passion for fashion”, it is when I truly shine. I enjoy writing about my experiences in the fashion industry, what it is like working for a fashion start up, and where I see the industry going. “The ‘human factor’ talks about how brands and individuals are now seeking to connect at a different level with more audience participation and truthful engagement” (Page 214). I like to infuse my writing with wit and poignant observations which I believe connects with readers on a basic human level, as author Melissa Davis points out. I encourage my readers to explore further for themselves what they deem to be the truth and in turn inspire someone else with their findings. It becomes a collaboration of sorts further allowing people of different backgrounds and social status to dialogue about issues that affect us. Indeed, the democratization of fashion is upon us.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)