Kim May
Marketing Manager
Biography
Description of Role and Responsibilities:
I manage the Marketing Department at itSMF and my main role is the promotion of itSMF to increase membership and awareness. When I first joined the itSMF back in 2003 I knew the job would be exciting and varied and certainly each day is never the same.
I head up the marketing team that are responsible for the day-to-day communications that drive the itSMF brand to our members and to the outside world. This involves the development and management of all corporate literature, electronic newsletters, website, PR and brand awareness. I work closely with all departments within the itSMF as Membership, Publications and Events are all our customers.
I also get involved with the itSMF Conference. Working very closely with the Events Manager and her team I promote the event, coming up with the concept to fit the theme set by the Events ESC and then producing the brochures that support the show, design and manage the itSMF Stand, and co-ordinate the itSMF Service Management Awards. Planning the marketing for conference starts in January and each year is different; all have their very own challenges. Here's to the next 10 conferences!
I also sit on the Services ESC and the Marketing ESC. One comes up with the ideas and the other plans the promotion and introduction into the membership. Marketing is a process of planning, being creative, knowing your market and moving efficiently and quickly. To make my role easier it is good to hear from our members as to what they like and what they don't like. It's this feedback that gives us the ability to offer the members the services and benefits they want.
Average Day:
There is never an average day, which makes my role so very interesting. There is always some different challenge that needs to be faced, whether the development of corporate literature to the promotion of all our events. I would be responding to email, writing brochures or developing new marketing campaigns.
What do you enjoy most?
There is not just one thing I enjoy the most. Obviously if I said budgets you would all laugh! Seriously, I enjoy the planning, creative and development of new concepts and ideas. It truly is amazing and I still get a buzz out of seeing something that you originally thought of becoming a reality. You soon forget the effort and long hours that have been put in when you see the product or service. Obviously, the stress is actually putting the business plan together and getting management buy-in! I wouldn't give it up for the world.
