Each week, Music Week profiles the brightest new talents in the business. This week, Island's senior digital marketing manager Faye Williams, tells her story...
How did you break into the industry?
After graduating with a degree in Business and PR, I worked for a start-up in Liverpool where I learned fundamental digital marketing skills. I then decided that I wanted to move to London to pursue my passion and work in music. I got a call from a recruiting agency about a job at Warner Music who saw my profile on LinkedIn. I went to London that weekend to interview in a Carluccio’s with the head of department. Four weeks later I was working as a digital marketing coordinator for Warner Music. That was six years ago, and I’ve now been at Island for almost four years.
What’s your proudest achievement so far?
We’ve created a private Instagram community (@islandco.lab), a space where we can post opportunities for creatives to collaborate with us. It has become a mini-community and has led to some amazing opportunities. Recently, we worked with The Mayor Of London to help launch his London Needs You Alive campaign, which aims to combat knife crime. This opportunity came through photographer Filmawi Efrem, who we met through Co:Lab. We were also nominated for a Major Players award after using our network to create a special moment for Fekky’s album release.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love working with people who have passion and creative spirit. I have met so many interesting and inspiring people, and hope that we can continue to contribute to culture. Bringing people together to create something special for our artists and seeing a campaign come to fruition is so rewarding. Island has a very special vibe that you can feel as soon as you walk in. It’s the perfect environment to try new ideas and break boundaries.
What’s the biggest challenge?
Working with artists is really unique. Unlike running digital strategy for a brand; we’re working with real people who have their own visions and tastes. We try to build relationships with our artists so that we can come up with innovative ideas specific to them, and so they can trust us to see them through. ?
What advice would you give to those looking to break into the biz?
Don’t wait to get hired. The best way to demonstrate your skills is to show that you have been working in the industry already, even if it’s just in your spare time.
What’s your greatest ambition?
I’d like to continue to meet and work with different people, try new things and make a difference for the artists we work with, the industry and the city.
FAYE'S RECOMMENDED TRACK
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