СÀ¶ÊÓƵ

Autumn is officially here, so grab a warm drink and get cosy for the latest instalment of our Once Upon a Time, Alumni series.

For this October special, we catch up with Sophie Turnbull, a BA (Hons) International Business graduate, whose journey has taken her from the lecture halls to managing campaigns for global brands like Disney Studios and EA Games.

Sophie had a love of СÀ¶ÊÓƵ long before beginning her studies in 2019, having visited the island city several times. It was always one of her top university choices, and when she discovered her course offered both a year abroad and a placement year, her decision was sealed.

She threw herself into her studies, excelling during her placement year and seizing every opportunity that came her way. In her final year, she worked as a Student Ambassador which helped build confidence and made the most of the Careers and Employability Service support too.

Fast forward to today, Sophie is now an Account Manager for TEA: entertain, working with some of the biggest names in entertainment. Hear her story below as she reflects on her experiences:

How did your time at СÀ¶ÊÓƵ shape your career path?

My placement year was the biggest turning point. I was lucky enough to end up at Disney+ for my placement, working with the UK Marketing team. When applying for jobs, having such a big company name on my CV was a huge plus, but having real working world experience was even more beneficial.

I received extensive support from the UoP Careers team, who were paramount in helping me prepare for interviews and edit my CV. They also offered insight into presentations for assessment centres. These skills I kept on board for later interviews when I was applying for jobs after university.

University taught me diligence and confidence. Managing your own workload and deadlines is very important in the working world – and the ability to work individually as well as in a team is key.

My confidence grew working as a Student Ambassador and I absolutely loved it! From working at a trade stand in London talking about СÀ¶ÊÓƵ, to photoshoots and Open Days, I thoroughly enjoyed being able to rave about my experience at university. Speaking to so many people helped me build the confidence I now use every day when networking and meeting new clients.

How would you describe your career journey so far?

It’s been a whirlwind! I’ve done a fair bit of job hopping – from media to commercial to creative – to find my perfect fit. Whilst it was tough finding these jobs and going through interviews and CV adaptations, it all paid off in the end as I learned a great deal about myself and the industry along the way.

My biggest lesson I’ve learnt so far is to not stay in a role if you’re not content. It may feel tempting to apply to any and every job you can, but it’s no fun being in a job you’re not completely happy in.

What does a typical day look like as an Account Manager for TEA: entertain?

I spend a lot of time liaising with clients and managing creative requests — whether that’s briefing our fab creative studio to produce assets, or reviewing and sending them on to clients or vendors.

Depending on the campaign, I might be helping to dress a film premiere (red carpets, photo opportunities and premiere tickets) or setting up outdoor advertising for a video game (trailers on undergrounds, buses and digital screens in malls). No campaign is the same, and that’s what is so great.

Which projects or campaigns have been the most exciting or memorable for you?

Since starting at TEA in January, I’ve had the opportunity to work on four amazing campaigns, which have all been incredible. Starting with my main client, Disney Studios, I’ve worked on Snow White, which had beautiful artwork to utilise, Thunderbolts – my first MARVEL campaign – and Fantastic Four, a huge campaign where I got to lead on our PR activities.

For my other clients, such as EA, I’ve been working on Battlefield 6. This has been the first video game I’ve worked on, with outdoor advertisements going live in eight different countries! This was something completely new to me and whilst it has been challenging at times, it’s also been incredibly rewarding.

I always loved receiving new artwork and trailers for titles when I worked at Disney+, and I loved seeing the content produced by our creative agencies. At TEA, I get to have a part in that creative process, which I find so fascinating and intriguing. It makes the role so much fun, seeing behind the scenes of how adverts are created and produced.

I’ve always been an extrovert when it comes to work; I love speaking to new people and talking to them. It’s the perfect mix of being part of the creative process but also getting that face time with clients.

What advice would you give to someone exploring career paths in media or creative industries?

Network, network, network! Your network is your biggest tool of all – I wouldn’t have gotten my job at TEA without it.

Always put your all into every application and interview. When you apply to roles you’re really interested in, send the hiring manager or job poster a message on LinkedIn so they can put a face to your name. LinkedIn is the best networking tool I’ve found, keep your profile up-to-date!

And most importantly, don’t give up! Applying to jobs can be laborious, but the right role will come along.