Taking fresh ideas to market every day
Theresho Selesho loves his job as an experiential marketing director because it gives him the opportunity to influence popular culture through allowing consumers to experience a company’s brand. He tells Margaret Harris that one day, when he slows down, h
What does your job involve?
I am an experiential marketing director at Geometry Global. My job involves developing and executing national consumer and customer marketing programmes. I communicate each day with clients and internal teams — operations, creative and production — and work closely with account management to develop and implement marketing plans and grow our clients’ brand awareness and businesses. What do you do on an average work day?
I start my morning at the office by going through my to-do list, numbered according to priority, and then move on to a status meeting with my team to discuss the various projects we are working on. I try not to prioritise answering e-mails at the beginning of my day, because one tends to get caught up with mails instead of getting actual work done. I set aside a specific time for e-mails and find that my days are more productive this way. The rest of my day is filled with various meetings with clients, suppliers and my team. What drew you to this career?
The simple fact that I have the opportunity to influence popular culture and people’s behaviour. I am also inspired by creativity, innovation, art, the general progress of humanity and adding colour to people’s lives. Yes, I am a bit of a corporate hippie!
What did you study and how does it help you to do your job?
I have a B Admin degree in international relations, which included politics, marketing and economics. International relations, simply explained, is about how diverse people interact and coexist with each other in an environment where they can develop and flourish. This was a good foundation in understanding how the world of business and politics work globally, which also complements the passion I have for people and their development and the celebration of diversity through understanding each other. What did you want to be when you were a child?
I wanted to become a computer engineer because I have always loved computers and technology in general. What have you found most difficult about the work you do?
The most difficult thing about my job is making sure that I keep a balance and do not get too caught up in the projects I am working on and then begin to neglect my other sources of support — family, my health, spirituality or friends. What would you change about your work if you could?
Nothing. What would you do if you couldn't do this?
I would be a farmer. Most of my childhood years were spent at my grandparents’ farm watering the fields, feeding the livestock, riding on the tractor and delivering fresh produce to the local hospital and market, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I am looking forward to doing it again when I start slowing down.
What qualities do you need to do your job?
The ability to prioritise; to juggle multiple projects and clients; strong programme execution and client service skills; and being able to work well under pressure while working with very diverse teams. Also, being curious and having fun. What advice would you give to someone keen to follow in your footsteps?
Study and read — be a consumer of information and knowledge.
Be a sponge and be willing to learn from everyone you come in contact with. Be curious and ask questions. You must be willing to learn how each department works — from finance and human resources to creative and events management — to appreciate the media and creative business.
Find various mentors with different strengths who can share their creative, business, spiritual and general life lessons with you.
Surround yourself with a network of people who love and support you and work in fields that are different from yours.
I find that this challenges my thinking and refines the way I approach work, projects and my everyday life in general.