A Day In The Life Of Our Marketing Manager

Originally Digital Marketing Manager at The Grove, Jessica Marsh is now our Marketing Manager here at The Athenaeum. Usually found working on everything from brand partnerships to email campaigns, social media posts to the concept for the Christmas window display, it’s fair to say that no two days are ever the same! For the time being, Jessica’s remit also covers The Grove and The Runnymede on Thames, so prepare to take a peek at a day in the life of ‘marketing’…

7AM

Now, I could pretend that my day starts with a workout at 6am, but quite honestly, I’m revelling in the later-than-usual starts, and I tend to take it slow to ease myself into the day. After a cup of tea in bed, I have a quick scroll through the news to get myself up to speed.

8AM

A new addition to my schedule is my daily paper round for a couple of neighbours, who are shielding. Their papers of choice may not be my cup of tea, but delivering them and brightening their mornings really does bring a smile to my face.

9AM

Back at home, and once my four-legged colleagues have been prised away from my chair, I start my working day. The first task is to work on the marketing plans for all three hotels, which – as you’d expect – are changing fairly regularly. During this period of uncertainty, the thing that matters most is supporting those who need a helping hand, from regular guests searching for activities to keep their little ones busy, to key workers in need of emergency accommodation. As well as helping to dream them up, my role is to make sure that we’re communicating these initiatives with the right people at the right time.

11AM

With plans in place, I allocate some time to work on email campaigns. Click here to see todays.  

12PM

At all three hotels, we’re fortunate enough to have a whole host of wonderful brand partners, who – like us – are trying to do their bit. I reach out to McQueens to see if they’d like to work together on a giveaway for those in need of a pick-me-up and fortunately they agree. Click here for a chance to win!

1PM

During my lunch break, I try to close my laptop and spend some time outside. Today, I planted some sweet peas and mint, so fingers crossed the mint will still be going strong by Friday, when Mojitos are on the menu!

2PM

With a little more time on their hands than usual, our chefs are all busy crafting new dishes for the restaurant menus in preparation for their re-opening, whenever that may be. Of course, we want to share as many of these recipes as possible, but that means someone has the task of making and photographing those dishes. Cue my next task of the day…today it’s chocolate brownies. It’s a difficult job, but someone has to do it.

4PM

With a generous serving of warm chocolate brownie, I take a call from the General Manager at The Runnymede on Thames, who gives me an update on what the team have been doing so that I can create a blog post to keep guests up to date. Click here to read it.

5PM

Each day, I’m taking a break for an hour or so to listen to the daily briefing and to see if there have been any updates from our friends at other hotels, restaurants or spas.

6PM

To end the day, I usually take a couple of calls from other members of the lockdown teams, who have marketing requirements. Today, it’s the branding of the company’s PPE.

7PM

With blue skies, I treat myself to my one piece of daily exercise and head out to the woods beside my house for a long walk.