TEQUILA\ GRADUATES

Jack Hussey

2008 Graduate Profile

Background
Throughout my degree in Economics at the University of Nottingham, I was a little worried about what I’d do next, in the ‘real world’. I knew I wanted to work in a creative environment but thought that my degree might limit my options. I quickly realised that this was not the case at all and threw myself into a number of internships, including a stint at a specialist digital agency as part of the IPA Digital Summer School. The TEQUILA\ graduate scheme promised to be the ideal way to kick start a career in marketing and advertising, offering great training and support as well as the opportunity to work across a range of exciting disciplines and brands. All of this slap bang in the middle of Soho. Bonus!

Lowlight
Without doubt the epic hangover that followed the Christmas party…although dressing up as a motley crew of shepherds with my team was great fun.

Highlight
Hard to pick just one – the bar, the location, the pool league, working on a range of global brands, contributing to pitches and the friendliness of everybody here all spring to mind!

Topher Jones

2008 Graduate Profile

Background
Born and bred in Birmingham, I favoured arts subjects at school and always wanted to work in a creative environment. I went on to study Architecture at Uni and most people expected a career as an architect to follow but, always keen to break the conventions, I decided the time was right for a change. After a year working in promotions and marketing, including a few months ‘client-side’ I knew agency life was where I belonged. TEQUILA\ has a great reputation and as soon as I spotted their graduate scheme my mind was made up, that was the job for me.

What you have thought so far
A year ago I was reading what last year’s grads had to say on this very site. Six months ago I started working with them and discovered it was all true. Now they’re all good friends and I’m writing my own bio. It’s hard to believe. The past 6 months really have been amazing - I’ve learnt so much and met so many great people in such a short space of time. The training provided and the supportive working environment have meant I haven’t felt out of my depth, despite working on loads of new things.

Lowlight
Finding out the other two grads would both be guys.

Highlight
Meeting and working with loads of great people, especially Lloyd, the highlight of my life.

Alison Bates

2007 Graduate Profile

Background
With a degree in Pharmacology the thought of Marketing as a career had not really crossed my mind. I went straight from graduating to working for the Liverpool Cancer Trials Unit and although it was really interesting I became very restless. I started searching the internet in hope of finding some inspiration and came across the TEQUILA\ grad microsite. The grads who had achieved a place on the grad scheme a year prior to me reassuringly came from a variety of backgrounds which encouraged me to apply and the rest is history.

What you have thought so far
We had a brilliant intensive training programme which gave us a great insight to the whole agency and combined with the work bar allowed us to settle in really quickly! The TEQUILA\ philosophy is very much work hard play hard and the people are great.

Lowlight
Being beaten by Tim Bonnet in the Inter-Agency 5km race.

Highlight
Working client side for the British Heart Foundation – this was great experience and a real challenge. Dressing up as an elf at the Xmas party with the other grads.

Katriina Harvey

2007 Graduate Profile

Background
Having graduated from Aston University with a degree in Marketing, it seemed a natural step to look towards the world of advertising. I wanted a hands on job where no two days were the same and TEQUILA\ definitely provides that!

What you have thought so far
Spending the first 4 months of the scheme in training proved to be invaluable. Knowing the theory of marketing is all well and good in a class room, but nothing can prepare you for what to expect of the role like the training we received. This made settling into the role of an account exec much easier when knowing what happens and who does what, in the rest of the company.

Lowlight
My obsession for shopping plus being so close to Oxford Street often equals spending far too much money during my lunch break!

Highlight
The people, the training scheme, the bar, the location, the parties, and the work we produce – I could go on... There has not been one day (not even after the Xmas party) when I have not had a good day in the office. Even if you have a hard day ahead, it is still always so much fun at TEQUILA\

Andy Peppiatt

Account Executive to Group Account Director
Andy joined the Agency in 2002 as an eager Account Executive with a years experience under his belt. In the seven years since has progressed through ranks of Account Management having soaked up the diversity of TEQUILA\’s disciplines. Andy has worked on advertising, CRM and digital marketing programmes for the likes of Canon, Barclays, Reuters and 118. Nowadays Andy is responsible for the relationship with luxury hotel brand Kempinski and leading digital and integrated business development initiatives - often on network clients.

Highlights
Far too many to mention in this tiny space. But the ones that stick out are working with Canon to promote their sponsorship of London, Paris and Milan fashion weeks. Developing a Facebook app targeting students for National Express. An appearance at an agency party as an oompa-loompa. Oh and meeting my wife at TEQUILA\.

Lowlights
Whilst away on honeymoon, receiving a copy of an article that had ‘appeared’ in Marketing Direct’s ‘Valentines Special’ on our marriage. Thanks Tim.