It’s no secret that exceptional work stems from the power of collaboration. So in addition to featuring notable young professionals and entrepreneurs every single day, we’ll be chatting to some of Canada’s best teams every Thursday to get an inside look at how they combine talents to stand out in their industry. Today we’re talking to the marketing team of Fairmont Hotels and Resorts Canada….
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WORK
Describe what you and your team focus on in less than 140 characters. Go.
We are so lucky we get to wear three very different hats every single day: Marketing, Communications and Public Relations for a luxury hotel. It’s a rare opportunity for one team to focus on three different departments and we love it.
What kick ass projects/programs have you been working on recently?
We have one of the best #views in The 6, we are the first hotel in the world to install a rooftop apiary, and our team’s latest project is to give our beautiful rooftop a complete revitalization. (Fun fact: Drake was scouting our rooftop for the cover of his #Views album). We have teamed up with one of Canada’s leading décor and lifestyle experts, Janette Ewen, for this exciting project.
Our rooftop is an important part of the hotel. We’ve partnered with Mill Street Brewery to brew a honey beer that is made using the ever-so-sweet honey harvested from the 350,000 bees that live on our rooftop.
That’s not all that’s buzzing; we’ve decided to bring back our annual summer event, #TWIFF. After three years of selling out in the Imperial Room, we are moving the party up to Concert Hall (the same space that was featured in Oscar-nominated Spotlight – and this year it’s going to be even BIGGER, BETTER and BOLDER with Champagne wishes and Caviar Dreams as our theme!
What are some of the benefits of working on a team?
We like to think of ourselves as the Fantastic Four – when our individual strengths, personalities and interests mesh together, we become the eighth wonder of the world. Sonya Singh is our Director of Marketing and Communications and tea expert; Jessica Bertolo is our Marketing Manager & Social Media expert; Broderick Horne is our Content Manager & Photographer, and Anita Kauldhar is our PR & Communications Coordinator, as well as the team’s solid foundation.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced?
Explaining to people in general what a marketing team actually does. The perception is that we spend all day eating pastries and mini sandwiches in our Royal Suite with bloggers (okay, maybe SOMETIMES), but we are constantly on the go driving and executing awesome and memorable campaigns for the hotel. We can’t help that our work lives look awesome on Instagram 😉
Do you have any advice for other young professionals working within a team?
Listen and welcome each other’s ideas.
“An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all” – Oscar Wilde
Does your team have a designated leader?
Our “Queen Tea” is Sonya. She infuses her strong leadership and communication skills that motivate each of us to exceed our goals and celebrate our personal and professional successes.
Within your organization are teams switched up every once in a while or do they maintain the same? What are some of the benefits and cons of that?
We have a succession plan in place for growth, so of course we switch it up. For example, Jessica started as an intern and worked her way up to the Marketing and Social Media Manager position in just two years. Benefits: new brains mean new ideas for exciting new campaigns.
Our team is so eclectic. We have a former journalist, a teacher, a dodge ball champion (so she says) and BMX rider, and that’s on top of all the other skills and traits we bring to the team.
What does the word collaboration mean to you?
In the wise words of Vanilla Ice…
What has been you and your teams favorite project/campaign/ initiative to work on and why?
Hosting the Queen’s 90th birthday, of course! How can you go wrong with an afternoon of scones, tea, and Prince William’s favourite chocolate biscuit cake for dessert? Did we mention we tend to eat a lot of our campaigns?
PLAY
Where is your teams favourite place to wine/ dine in your city and why?
Every day is Cinco de Mayo! We celebrate with tacos and margaritas at La Hacienda every month.
Do you and your team go out together? Where and why?
We are the true definition of the wolf pack from The Hangover. If we aren’t out for tacos, we are catching a game at Piper’s Pub.
What’s the best thing that has happened to you and your team recently?
We hosted Prince Harry during the Invictus Games Opening Ceremony.
Are there any other teams within your company or any company that you know of that are killing it?
MLSE Marketing is killing it! They are on point with their social media platforms about the Raptors. #WeTheNorth / #WeTheOther!
And finally, what does success look like to you and your team? Work, play, or otherwise…
Did you see our picture? That’s what success looks like 😉
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