A Grade 9’s View into a Marketing Agency

Hello, I’m Gus. I am 14 and the son of Creative Director Shane Turner. I am spending the day at Hughes&Co, learning about what a marketing agency does for "Take Your Kid to Work Day."

In the vast world of advertising, marketing and graphic design, there are many important roles that are key in creating compelling advertisements and campaigns. The three of the roles that I interviewed today are Account Managers, Strategists, and Graphic Designers. Each of these jobs play an important role in a brand's vision to be effectively communicated to consumers.

Account Managers

Account Managers act as a cross between the clients and the creative team. The Account Manager that I spoke to was John, he said “I communicate with clients to tell the designers what the clients want”. Account Managers are in charge of maintaining relationships with clients, managing expectations, and ensuring that projects are completed within the set budget and time. Account managers handle communication, keep the team well organized, and troubleshoot any challenges that may arise during the creative process. They ensure that the project continues to be aligned with the client’s goals and needs, while also managing resources and timelines.

Strategists

Strategists, on the other hand, will focus on the "bigger picture." I spoke to Hughes&Co’s Strategy Director, Carly, she said “I am in charge of market research and marketing strategy at Hughes&Co”. Strategists will research and analyze trends in the market, audience behaviors, and competitor strategies to develop a clear and actionable plan. A strategist’s role is to align creative efforts with business goals, ensuring that campaigns and websites are not just aesthetically pleasing but are also effective in achieving the clients desired outcomes. They provide direction and help define the messaging that will resonate the most with a brand’s targeted audience.

Graphic Designers

Graphic Designers serve as the creative force behind visual communication. The graphic designer that I spoke to was Chad, he said "I draw circles hahah, I make social graphics for clients, web design work when needed and create animations for various uses". Graphic Designers will take ideas such as concepts, and messages and change them into visual experiences that will resonate with the clients intended audience. From logos and websites to social media graphics, graphic designers use their expertise in color theory, and layout to create visually appealing designs that align with a brand's identity. Their goal is to make information digestible and engaging, while maintaining consistency across all platforms.

Every day these roles work together: The Account Managers ensure everything transitions smoothly from start to finish, overseeing the entire process. The Strategists then align the designs with the clients' business goals, ensuring that the vision is not only creative but also effective. Finally, the Graphic Designers bring the clients' visions to life, transforming concepts into visual realities. Each role will play an important part in delivering a successful design and marketing campaign.