New Year, New Role, New Blog

Fun fact — from 2010 to 2014 I used to have a blog on Tumblr. It was totally my 15 minutes of fame in the internet.

Back then, life looked very different.

I was working in a chartered accounting firm full time as a cadet accountant whilst studying an Accounting degree. The blog was my ability to share my life with the world in my version of a diary. Somehow, by the end of 2014 I had almost 27,000 followers from around the world who I shared my lows and highs with. I loved the blog but as I was finishing up that chapter of my life, it felt right to close the blog too.

Whilst life looks very different now, the desire to share and engage with like-minded people never left and here I am, almost 9 years later, ready to start typing again.

Since then, I’ve ditched the accounting tools for a career in Product Marketing, having worked in roles across all elements of the discipline in both B2B and B2C portfolios, on products like Telstra TV, Apple Music, Foxtel Now, Telstra Smart Home and Telstra Business. In between, I’ve had roles in strategy and planning, and co-owned a business, Brainy Box, too.

Most recently, I built the Product Marketing function at Whispir, establishing core pillars across the discipline and built an incredible team of Product Marketers.

This week, I start my new role as the Director of Product Marketing at Zipline.io where I get to do it all again. I’m filled with all the feels — from excitement, to nervousness, to overwhelm but mostly gratitude. I love Product Marketing and I know what it feels like to be doing something your hearts not in, so I count myself lucky to find something that I enjoy the hard parts of too.

As I reflected on the journey so far, the itch to share rose again and here I am, biting the bullet. The intention of this space is to document and share this new journey and reflect on the experiences I’ve had in my 8 years as a Product Marketer.

So, what will you see here?

✅ Practical advice on navigating the complexities of Product Marketing for PMMs of all levels, from those contemplating a career in the field to a seasoned veteran wanting a new perspective

✅ Building a Product Marketing strategy, function and team — the nitty gritty of what this means, the highs and the many lows of dealing with process, people and politics

✅ Leadership advice as I try and figure it out by doing

✅ Advice on how to work with PMMs to unlock the unique value we bring to organisations

If this sounds like your jam, would love to have you along for the ride!

The next post will be about the 5 mistakes I’ve made as a Product Marketer and how you can avoid them — or at least swerve!

Stay tuned & see you soon,

AJ