Marketing Minds: Insights from Our Board
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How to Grow, Stand Out, and Stay Resilient in Marketing
As marketers, we often focus on the next campaign, the next promotion, or the next big opportunity, but long-term growth is built through consistency, curiosity, and resilience. We asked AMA Nashville’s Board of Directors to reflect on the lessons, habits, and mindsets that shaped their own careers and helped them navigate an ever-evolving industry. Their insights offer valuable guidance for emerging marketers looking to grow with confidence, stand out authentically, and build lasting success in the marketing world.
Here is the advice from the leaders of AMA Nashville:
Networking
“Network early and be genuine! The people you meet and connect with at the beginning of your career will be there for you now and 10 years from now.”
— Amanda Magusiak | VP-Elect of Membership, AMA Nashville
Move to a Multiplier
"Move from taking on a task to fully understanding how and why you are doing it...with the vision of not just deepening knowledge but moving from a tasker to a multiplier who can create strategy."
— Paula Cometto Milam | VP of Programming, AMA Nashville | Founder and Chief Strategist, TruStar Marketing
Relationships
"Looking back, my career was built more on relationships than on algorithms. Resilience in marketing is rarely a solo effort. It is about having a 'personal board of directors' you can call when a campaign fails or a budget gets slashed. Don't just network for jobs. Build a community of peers who challenge your thinking. In the long run, your network is the safety net that allows you to take the big risks required to do great work."
— Amanda Mazzo | VP-Elect of Communications, AMA Nashville | Creative Director & COO of Mazzo Media
Document Everything
"Always. Be. Documenting. Every time you complete a task, write down the process: what you did, what tools you used, what worked, and what you’d do differently. Marketing is won in the little increments; process, consistency, iteration. The earlier you start capturing your methods, the faster you’ll improve and the easier it becomes to repeat success without reinventing the wheel. Plus, you can take these everywhere you go to help make other organizations better and more efficient."
— James Hanson | Marketing in Sports & Entertainment Chair & Marketing in Technology Chair, AMA Nashville | Partner and COO at Current Marketing Solutions
Professional Development
"Invest in professional development. Marketing is evolving fast and you need to be in the know so that you can be the best at what you do."
— Jacqueline Hayes, MBA, PCM | President, AMA Nashville | Principal & Chief Marketing Strategist, Crayons & Marketers
Take Initiative But Protect Energy
"Don’t wait for permission to contribute ideas or take initiative on projects that excite you because growth often comes from stepping outside your comfort zone. And just as importantly, protect your energy along the way. Marketing can move fast, but building a sustainable career means knowing when to recharge so you can continue showing up."
— Abigail Hammer | VP of Communications, AMA Nashville | Marketing Program Manager, Grow with Google