Meet The Team | Digital Media & Marketing Manager, Lauren

Lauren joined the Refresh NI team as Digital Media & Marketing Manger in October 2024 and manages all things social media and marketing at Refresh NI. Read on to learn more about Lauren.

So Lauren, tell us a bit about your education and career so far.

”My background is quite unconventional for a Marketing Manager. I started off studying Film Studies and Production at Queen’s University Belfast. I really enjoyed the course but once I had graduated, I wanted to try out something completely different. Like film, marketing held aspects of creativity so I decided to pursue my Masters degree in Digital Marketing at the University of Ulster. Once I started the degree I fell in love with marketing and started to gain experience early on with my degree placement. Before graduating I started working part-time as a digital marketing assistant for a small business and went full-time once I had graduated. The job centred on making content for social media pages and websites centred on Irish tourism, world travel, good news and Irish comedy so it was very diverse. After about a year, I was promoted to Digital Marketing Executive and got the opportunity to train and manage other Digital Marketing Assistants, so it was very full circle. I ended up working there for 2 years and really fell in love with making content and all the different facets of social media and marketing. During my time there I gained lots of experience in marketing different products and different types of content to a wide range of demographics, however I really wanted to focus on marketing a single brand. That’s when I found Refresh. Joining Refresh has given me the chance to use all of my previous experience in different ways to help convey the company’s brand story, broadcast our successes, promote the business and offers, and create online resources for potential customers. I have only been here a few months and I feel like I have learned so much from working here.”

Why did you decide to join Refresh?

”I was really passionate about the ethos, aims and mission of the business and was really interested in getting involved in the energy efficiency and sustainability sector. The company culture also looked brilliant and made me want to get to know more about Refresh NI. The role itself also interested me because I knew that I would get to use my creativity and diverse social media and marketing knowledge to promote business. When I met the team, they were so lovely and that made me want to join Refresh even more.”

Tell us about a typical day in your role as Digital Media & Marketing Manager at Refresh.

”On a normal day, I would start off by reading and answering any emails in my inbox. I then check our social media profiles for engagement and post performance, and reply to any comments or questions from customers. I also check the Refresh NI Google business profile and Trustpilot pages to see if we have any service reviews to reply to. Then, I would usually plan the content for the next few weeks and go on to create and schedule the posts, videos and stories according to that plan. With the rest of my time, I would work on other marketing projects and write blog posts for the Refresh NI website.”

If you were in charge of the next staff event, what would we be doing?

”I think that a pub quiz would be a really good staff-do idea. Maybe some food and drinks before or after too.”

What was your first job?

”I worked as a waitress in a restaurant and takeaway for my first job, back when I was in secondary school.”

If you weren’t a Digital Media & Marketing Manager, what would you be?

”I would probably be pursuing video editing or making art full-time as I do both of those things in my spare time.”

What is your favourite way to spend a weekend off work?

”I really love a chill weekend, so probably just going to different markets in Belfast or seeing some live music would be my choice.”

You’re getting a takeaway, what are you ordering?

”I’d go for a Boojum. You can’t beat a Boojum.”

If you had to listen to just one song for the rest of your life what would it be?

”My favourite song usually changes by the week but I would probably pick ‘Fisherman’s Blues’ by The Waterboys or ‘Love Love Love’ by Big Thief.”

What is your favourite holiday you have ever been on?

”I went to Egypt once with my family and it was really great.”

What is your favourite TV series?

”That’s a tough one, but I’d probably choose Arrested Development.”

Do you have any quirky hobbies or talents?

“I love making art, video editing and embroidering.”

If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be?

“I would love to be able to speak another language fluently, so I’d probably pick that.”

If you had a superpower, what would it be and why?

“Probably teleportation, because I can’t drive and that would be very handy.”

Thank you, Lauren!

We hope you enjoyed getting to know Lauren a little better! Let us know who else from the Refresh NI team you would like to get to know next!

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In the meantine, check out our other meet the team articles below. Each month we introduce a new staff member, so you can get to know all of the friendly faces that make up Team Refresh.