Amy has been a Digital Solutions Director in Cincinnati for 2 years. While working in the Fusion Digital Leadership team, Amy strategizes to solve client challenges and create effective digital experiences.
Q: What does a typical workday look like for you?
A: My typical workday is heavily collaborative. I work with clients to outline strategies and tactical next steps, and then work with our cross-discipline team to develop comprehensive approaches to client challenges. I’ve probably made more PowerPoint slides than any single human should – but I enjoy it! I also set aside time to be heads-down and write content like user guides, requirements, documents, and measurement plans.
Q: What did you do prior to joining Fusion? How does your previous experience help you in your role now?
A: I started my career as a lowly MarTech specialist, managing e-commerce websites, and helping with digital merchandising. After bouncing around a couple of places, I grew my career at a digital advertising agency, working with a Fortune 10 company on website migrations and redesigns.
Over the course of my time in advertising, I migrated over 50 websites in over a dozen different languages. I was fortunate to not only help with large-scale migrations, but also to guide clients in their day-to-day digital and omnichannel campaigns.
A key element of how I engage with clients is understanding how marketing teams leverage and optimize their technology stacks to generate leads, and ultimately, revenue. My previous experience has also gone a long way in emphasizing, both through success and failure, the importance of understanding both the customer and the overall goals of the business.
Q: What is a memorable client project you were proud of?
A: I’ve only been at Fusion a short time compared to some, but I’ve had the opportunity to participate in a variety of projects. We just worked with a regional insurance company to implement an intranet site. It was extremely fun and offered unique challenges and use cases. We leveraged Sitecore JSS to develop a React.js-driven site that was also fully editable using Sitecore’s CMS features. I was incredibly impressed by what the team was able to accomplish, and I think we gave the client a highly useable, adaptable platform.
Q: Are you part of any Fusion groups or initiatives?
A: One of my favorite groups in Fusion is the activities committee for our Cincinnati office – we were able to arrange a lot of fun virtual events during the pandemic that kept our culture strong and let me get to know a lot of folks that I otherwise wouldn’t have worked with day-to-day!
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in this field?
A: I happily fell into Digital Marketing thanks to a mentor who was willing to take a chance with me. I was fresh out of college during a recession, equipped with an English Literature degree, and ready to tackle just about anything. I found that the combination of technology, strategy, and communication was right up my alley and I never turned back!
Q: When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up, and why?
A: I think there was definitely a time where I wanted to be a cat – the “why” is probably not something worth thinking too hard about. In all seriousness – I deeply admired my teachers growing up and thought for some time I may go down that path. Ultimately, my interests took me to other places. Regardless, teaching is certainly something I admire, and in some ways even incorporate in my current role.
Q: What impact do you want to make on our client’s businesses?
A: I want clients to understand the “why” of what they do – what it means for both their customers and their bottom line. Ultimately, I believe that better digital experiences mean better outcomes for the folks using the products – from financial services, to retail, and even healthcare.
Q: What advice would you give people entering this field?
A: Be ready to adapt and compromise. Consulting sometimes means listening before advising. You need to check your assumptions at the door and be ready to learn from the clients (and other team members) you’re working with.
Q: Do you have any mentors at Fusion:
A: Kristin Raikes is a key role model – her emotional intelligence, clarity of vision, and approach to her work is certainly something I would hope to one day replicate!
Q: What do you do for fun outside of work?
A: I’m a pretty traditional “nerd” – I love a good board game, video game, movie about superheroes, or book about wizards and witches. I hope to transfer my love of nerdy pop culture to my 9-month-old boy, who is certainly the most fun part of my life these days!
Q: What are your favorite can’t-miss sights in Cincinnati?
A: I love taking friends and guests to Washington Park in downtown Cincinnati, followed by a quick trip to Taft’s brewpub (which is in a beautifully renovated church) or one of many local eateries. A trip on the streetcar may be necessary, depending on how much “fun” we’re in for!
Q: What are the top books or podcasts you’d recommend?
A: “Today in Digital Marketing” is a quick daily podcast that I love listening to while I get ready, eat lunch, or after I close my laptop for the day. In a rapidly changing landscape, it’s a fantastic tool to stay tapped into the major changes in the industry (including algorithms and feature updates of top platforms) even when not actively “at work.”