Why China?
I was fortunate enough to have been offered a once in a lifetime opportunity at the age of 20. Nervous, sure, but I knew that I could adjust to a new environment just like I have been my entire life.
Before my internship at Mailman Group and Loop, I had a preconceived notion that all Chinese businesses were super uptight. I was worried that I was going to come to work each day with a list of tasks to do, with no guidance, and told to get the tasks done by days end. Safe to say, I was pleasantly surprised.
Immediately when I walked through the doors at Mailman I was welcomed in as family. I felt like I was already working there for years, and was well informed about what Mailman and Loop were all about right from the start. I wanted to learn the backbone of how business was done in China, specifically in the field of marketing. Both working for Mailman and Loop gave me the opportunity to see behind the scenes to how a successful marketing company and startup operates in Shanghai.
Mailman, what I learned:
I have been a fan of the NBA for all my life. I was intrigued to come to Mailman and combine my knowledge of the NBA, and mesh it with the demands of the Chinese market. Analyzing the similarities in the most popular players and teams in China compared to the United States, showed me how you must adjust your digital marketing approach according to that particular market.
Favorite thing I did:
I wrote an article on Zhou Qi, combining a pre-draft analysis of Qi and his potential impact in China and the NBA. This gave me a lot of insight on how important the presence Qi can have if he reaches his full potential.
Loop, what I learned :
I learned how to truly engage an audience on social media. I learned to trendjack and reach an audience I never felt I would be able to ever reach. Working for Loop I was able to manage multiple social media channels and combine my prior social media knowledge with other global approaches.
Favorite thing I did?:
I would have to say visiting all the co-working spaces Loop partners with. It was interesting researching the different spaces, but to be able to physically see the locations and see what I was working on back at the office was indeed going towards something special.
The Goodbye
These 2 months flew by. It felt like just yesterday I was boarding my flight in Chicago. I can’t thank Mailman and Loop enough for taking me in, and treating me like family. I had great mentors from Mailman such as Tom Elsden and Dave Patnaik from Loop who took me under their wing and taught me the ins and outs of the business. I look forward to staying in touch with everyone and am beyond grateful for the experience.