Professional Marketing Intern Review

- Driving category leadership and execution through the creation of compelling marketing activation plans and toolkits for internal and/or external audiences. - Providing actionable insight to the business using a wide range of business intelligence and industry sources (Sales out/Allegra/Customer specific insight) - Co-ordinating Marketing administration – including managing the Marketing Training calendar, Product Information library and leading our understanding of marketplace, industry and competitive intelligence - Example 12-week projects in addition to core responsibilities and with the support of marketing team: Market Intelligence – Determining the optimum price and promotional strategy for a new product launch Category Marketing – Creating a brand point-of-sale toolkit and supporting activation plan in trade media. Segment Marketing – Developing marketing activation plans to unlock growth with a Trade Customer. Digital Marketing – Devising a digital marketing campaign that drives lead generation and conversion

I have developed both soft and hard skills during my placement year. Most notably, I have developed my written and verbal communication skills through delivering presentations to both internal and external audiences. I have also had the opportunity to enhance my content creation skills after being given responsibility for JDEP's organic social content calendar for LinkedIn and Facebook. Furthermore, I have enhanced my data analysis skills through the delivery of monthly market review reports, using software such as SalesOut.

Yes, I was given real responsibility on my placement. For example, I was given the opportunity to lead my own 360 marketing campaign for Douwe Egberts. I was involved from developing the new assets, launching the digital campaign, creating a trade media plan and successfully listing the product in one of our key customers. This massively developed my project management, agency management and organisational skills. It was also a great opportunity to show my creativity and passion for the brand and campaign.

The support and guidance from the marketing team was great. Everyone in the team was always supportive and more than happy to help me when needed. They were not only supportive in day-to-day tasks but also had a genuine interest in my career and personal development. I would say the team struck the ideal balance between giving enough support, whilst also giving me real responsibility and autonomy at work. The wider intern cohort was also a great support to each other.

The company culture and general atmosphere was generally positive and inspiring. The culture feels quite relaxed and non-hierarchical. Everyone in the office is friendly and makes you feel comfortable, no matter their role or seniority. The company takes part in events outside of the office, such as Barcode Festival, Tough Mudder and other socials. This is a good way to get to know your team and colleagues outside of a work setting. Overall culture feels inclusive and supportive.

I wasn't sure what to expect from a year on placement but it exceeded my expectations. It not only developed me professionally, but also personally. I had the opportunity to be involved in lots of exciting projects and campaigns, network with my team and the wider business, and have fun along the way too. I really enjoyed my year at JDE and will keep in touch with my team and the other interns after my placement.

Yes

My advice to others applying to JDE would be to just be yourself throughout the application process. It is important to show your past experience, jobs, academic successes but I would say it's equally crucial to show your personality and any interests you have outside of work. The team want to find someone who is willing to work hard but is also easy to work with. I would also advise others to research the company well in order to understand its values, brands and company culture.