🎓 In this mini-episode, we have an “office hours” style chat with Grant Packard, an Associate Professor & the Program Director of the Master of Marketing at the Schulich School of Business! We take a small trip down memory lane but spend most of the time picking his brain on the future of marketing.

More specifically - we chat about the rapidly evolving marketing world (thanks AI🤖) & hear his timeless tips on how to navigate it.

We also learn a bit more about the inspiring story on how he got his start in the industry & the lessons that came with it (hint: it involves driving an old truck to NYC, working at the first digital agency & late-night limos).

As a quick reminder - in addition to long-form interviews with our incredible guests, we’re releasing short-form content that will answer the most burning questions that we receive from students/new grads. Have any topics in mind? Send us a message: 4pspod@gmail.com.

🙌 We had a great time chatting with Christopher Henry who is a Sr. Product Marketing Manager at Google. What is Google, you might ask...

In all seriousness, Google requires no introduction because it’s so ubiquitous and if you’re like us - you’ve used one of their products/services countless times everyday (including right now). At Google, Chris helps to lead brand marketing on their blossoming hardware business in Canada. He primarily focuses on the Pixel, which is Google's range of phones, tablets, earbuds, smartwatches/trackers.

Chris has carved out a remarkable career at Google for the past 10 years having worked in marketing roles across Chromebook, Google Home, Youtube, Google.Org & Google Play Music. Prior to that he spent 3 years at Unilever and is a proud Queens alum.

Amongst other things - we chatted about his team acting like a challenger brand, how a passion for filmmaking has helped him, the importance of finding a leader that will champion you, what most people get wrong about marketing & a 💯 reasons that JP should switch to #TeamPixel🏃.

More specifically, Chris shared his thoughts on the following:

• What was your Marketing Moment? (7:48)
• What was it like taking a Film Option in addition to your commerce degree?(10:04)
• Can you give us a brief overview of your career in Marketing since you graduated? (11:15)
• Tell us more about what you’ve seen at Google in the ten years that you’ve been at the company. (12:22)
• How has your perception of Marketing evolved since you started at Google?(13:30)
• What was it about tech that made you want to make the switch into the industry? (15:00)
• What are the things you look at when you’re debating a career move? (16:57)
• What would you look for as your assessing whether the manager you’ll work for is a fit for you? (19:54)
• What resources or tips do you have for students to stay plugged in or to learn more about the industry? (22:02)
• Knowing what you know now, are there things that you look back on in your days in university that were most important or useful to your career today?(25:31)
• Why do you think the Google Pixel Canada team has been so successful in its brand building efforts? (28:17)
• How do you coordinate with other Google brand teams to align your objectives and ensure you’re building the Google Masterbrand? (31:50)
• What does the Marketing team look like at Google Canada? (35:26)
• How does Product Marketing at Google differ from other companies? (37:01)
• Do you have any cautionary advice for someone who is running towards big tech? (41:06)
• We put Chris in the Hot Seat🔥! (42:27)

🙌In this mini-episode - we shine a spotlight on the American Marketing Association’s Toronto Chapter! You’ll be pleasantly surprised to hear that the AMA has had roots in Toronto for almost 80 years & since then - have helped countless marketers build their careers. Whether it’s been through hosting events, sharing thought leadership or creating mentorship opportunities.

One of their flagship programs is the "Career Accelerator" where they thoughtfully pair young marketers with experienced mentors. To help learn more - we chatted with Craig Lund (VP of Leadership Excellence at the AMA) & Maggie Bolt (Program Director at the AMA). We chat through what makes this program special, the myths that exist around mentorship & share some powerful stories of how it can catapult your career.

We hope you give this a listen, check out their website & apply (it’s live now ⌛)!

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