Gabi Jeffery is a familiar face to Cake. A journalism/marketing student from Southern Cross University, she often spends her time badgering Katie and Mel for advice on the industry that is both new and exciting to her, among other things (no but really, we love her!). Gabi has now been given the opportunity to be Katie’s intern on the Lismore Come to the Heart project here at Cake, and we decided it would only be fair for you to get to know her that little bit more…

1. What keeps you motivated?

When it comes to study, it used to be barely anything. Yes, I’m afraid to say that I wasn’t a bookworm… until I decided to have a go at some marketing units. Finally, I felt like one of those enthusiastic -albeit slightly irritating- students who sat at the front of the class and poured questions to the class tutor week by week. My curiosity grew to love in a short space of time, until finally I’ve been fortunate enough to gain this internship and learn a great deal more. (Self-confessed nerd alert).

2. What is your favourite way to unwind?

Reading whatever is in front of me on a lazy rainy day, and I have to give credit to my energetic and happy-go-lucky pets who always manage to brighten any day.

3. What does a day at the internship consist of?

After finally finding a space in the Council Chambers ever-crowded car park, I often walk in and find Katie charging around the office -how she does this on a Monday at 9am, pre-caffeine boost and comfortably in heels I’ll never know- before catching me up on this weeks events and to-dos over a coffee. The morning is usually spent tagging along to some insightful meetings with various clients and taking notes, before somehow blurring into the afternoon, where I try to help out with upcoming promotions and events such as Mothers Day, Stocktake Weekend, Carols by Candlelight (stay tuned!).

4.What have been your biggest challenges and how have you overcome them?

Juggling full time uni, several jobs, an internship and a partridge in a pear tree will be a challenge… But an experience I am genuinely looking forward to.

5.What is your favourite aspect of marketing?

Working in fashion retail, I am a merchandising addict. Whether it’s online or bricks and mortar, I often find myself obsessing over a stores physical presence, especially if they are willing to create something that is refreshing and distinctive.

6. What is your favourite brand and why?

My first two choices (Sportsgirl and Gary Pepper Vintage) are in previous blogs so that makes this question a little difficult! There are too many to choose from, but a memorable brand would be Topshop. Going to Oxford St, London, for the first time was an experience within itself. I was jet-lagged and cranky, but still amazed by their clean, crisp window displays and ridiculous floor-size -something like 8,400 square metres and 5 floors- that made it more of a youthful department store then your average retailer. Each item placed in each section of the store had a reason to be there, and I found myself not even needing to style my own outfit, as the merchandising did it for me. If only their customer service was as dynamic as their merchandising!

7. What is your proudest achievement so far?

I’m still a rookie in this industry, and we all have to start somewhere don’t we? I am also a journalism student, so seeing my work published –anywhere- is a great feeling that I don’t think will ever fade. In fact, if you flick through Cake’s previous blogs you may find an article I wrote in regards to the current condition of our beloved retailers.

This opportunity to work with Katie and Mel will not be taken for granted, and I look forward to the learning of infinite new things and getting to know you all a little better. And don’t worry, I’ll dish out the dirt on Katie soon enough!

Thanks Gabi – Katie and I are very pleased to have you work on some really exciting projects for Katie’s Lismore Come to the Heart work as well as some great things coming up for Cake Marketing as a team! xx Mel

Share