Marketingmag.com.au chats to Cecelia Haddad – director of Marketing Elements Pty Ltd. If you would like to see a certain
marketer profiled, please email your suggestion to Sean Greaney on [email protected].

What do you do?

I am the director of Marketing Elements Pty Ltd.

What was your first job?

I was a personal secretary in a government department and terrible at it: I could never read my own shorthand! My first PR job was with Estee Lauder publicising men toiletries way before the invention of the ‘metro-sexual’.

What did you study?

Diplomas of Public Relations, Marketing and Journalism

Describe a typical day?

I’m usually at my laptop by 6am with a large plunger of coffee beside me, working ‘til 7.30am. Then I swing by to drop my daughter at daycare on the way to the office. At my desk usually no later than 9. Then it’s the usual meetings, phone calls, etc. I try to make one new contact a day or reconnect with someone I haven’t communicated with for some time. My work hours vary but I usually have dinner somewhere between 6 and 7 and am back at my laptop ‘til 8.30pm when I try to switch off with a good book.

What is on the agenda for the next year?

Growth and new technologies to explore.

What brand do you love the most? Dislike the most? Why?

I’m too fickle. I change my mind a lot (so much for brand loyalty) but consistency always gets my vote and arrogance doesn’t. There is no substitute for good customer service.

What do you believe has been the most significant moment in the history of marketing?

Too hard! I started out on electronic typewriters and telexes (what you say?). Equipment, technology, social interaction online – all of the above. It’s constantly evolving and that’s why it’s such a great industry to work in.

Where can people find you?

• Email: [email protected]
• Company website: www.marketingelements.com.au