Account Manager @ OLIVER Agency with Alia Khadem
Alia and Blair discuss how client service is essential “connective tissue” in an advertising agency, the fun of crafting a good creative brief; and, the important questions to answer to better position yourself in the job search.
About Alia Khadem
Alia Khadem worked in banking for almost 9 years in the Middle East & Africa, before deciding to make a career change to get into advertising. She immigrated to Canada to start her advertising career on the agency side in client service. In her year one, Alia’s been working as an Account Manager at OLIVER Agency where she leads campaigns for Manulife’s Insurance, Bank, and Real Estate businesses.
She graduated from the Advertising Account Management postgraduate program at Sheridan College in Toronto where she continues to give back to her marketing communication community, through volunteer work on mentoring students and newcomers starting their career in advertising.
The Highlights and Hottest Takes 🔥
How Alia Got the Job
Alia went to Sheridan College with a clear intention to get into advertising client service. She immediately started reaching out to people in advertising in the Toronto area on LinkedIn. One of them was the country manager at OLIVER Agency:
“I had an interview with them in two days and one week later I was hired.”
Mistake Made
Not ready to get hired. She failed in two processes for advertising strategist jobs at Google because she “wasn’t ready. “Yes, I was curious. Yes, I was trying. But I was doing something wrong. I was doing the same thing over and it wasn’t working.” She didn’t position herself properly for the job description.
Lesson Learned
Listen. You’re learning the most when you’re an active listener.
Pro Tip
Be a storyteller. Take any opportunity to practice your storytelling–blog article, post on social network, craft a creative brief, craft your resume, make a “pitch” to a client, writing your introduction letter. Telling a story delivers a stronger message and makes you stand out.
Segments
Alia's Year 1ne @ OLIVER Agency
1:12 | Introduction
2:45 | Outlining the unique operating model of OLIVER Agency
9:40 | The full-service and global reach of the agency
10:40 | Typical day/week of an account manager in advertising
18:45 | Deciding to go from banking to advertising industry
22:00 | What's on your mind in marketing right now?
Getting to Day 1ne: The Job Search
25:50 | Deciding on client service vs. creative/design in advertising
28:00 | Failing in two job processes at Google
30:00 | Getting the job at OLIVER Agency
32:00 | Positioning yourself in the job search
38:00 | Important questions to ask yourself
Things I've Learned in Year 1ne
41:45 | Lesson learned to "Listen"
42:30 | Pro-tip to "Be kind"
44:15 | Pro-tip on practicing your storytelling
46:05 | Lesson learned on understanding your internal audience
49:55 | Pro-tip on trusting the process
51:50 | Wrap-up
Re(Sources)
- Connect with our guest Alia Khadem: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter
- Brands/organizations: OLIVER Agency | Manulife | Sheridan College | Ogilvy | JWT (now Wunderman Thompson)
- Connect with The Year 1ne’s host Blair Smith: LinkedIn
Credits
- Created and Produced by Blair Smith
- Hosted by Blair Smith
- Mixed and Mastered by Ray Harripaul
Sponsor(s)
N/A for this episode...Interested in being a sponsor of The Year 1ne's Show? Drop us a line via email 😀
Alia Khadem
Account Manager
Alia is a native bilingual (EN/FR) with 10+ years of account management and business development experience. After working in banking for almost 9 years in the MEA, she immigrated to Canada in 2019 to pursue her passion for advertising. Alia started her career on the agency side by leading Manulife’s Insurance, Bank, and Real Estate. As a way to give back to her marketing community, she focuses her volunteer work on mentoring students and newcomers starting their career in the industry, by empowering their marketing leadership.
