A life in the spotlight

When I was younger, I dreamt of being the next Steven Spielberg. My fascination with films was endless and I imagined a future spent behind the camera. I even pictured my life as a movie. If I found myself walking home alone in the dark, I’d envision myself as the lead in a horror film.

I’d imagine how I’d frame the scene - the shots of my footsteps echoing, the camera angles, the moment the character nervously glanced over their shoulder. And of course, the suspenseful soundtrack to tie it all together! This passion led me to study Film Studies at the University of Hull, where I experienced three of the best years of my life.

During my time at university, we analysed classic Disney films, unravelled the brilliance of Hitchcock and studied all about mise-en-scène, lighting and stage direction. The experience shaped my appreciation for storytelling, creativity and the power of visual communication - skills that would later form the foundation of my career.

The move to marketing

Like many graduates, I wasn’t sure what to do after university. The film industry seemed exciting but felt too competitive and overcrowded with other hopeful Spielbergs. I wanted a career that combined my passion for film with something that wouldn’t mean living off instant noodles forever.

In a bid to delay adulthood and cling onto my uni days a little longer, I decided to do a Master’s in Marketing and Advertising. It turned out to be a decision that opened up opportunities I hadn’t even thought of before.

During my Master’s, I was introduced to the world of business and advertising - from the 7Ps of marketing, to consumer behaviour and branding strategies. This broadened my perspective and sparked a new passion: understanding how businesses speak to their audiences and drive results through marketing campaigns.

After finishing my studies, I worked in various industries, including packaging and resin bound surfacing. While these roles honed my skills, it wasn’t until I discovered paid advertising that I truly felt at home. Setting up campaigns on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Google and LinkedIn was thrilling.

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of watching people interact with your ads - whether they’re clicking, buying or even just noticing them. Analysing metrics became an obsession, tweaking things to get better results felt like solving a puzzle and testing new ideas kept things fresh.