Sponsor Profile: MillerCoors

Brittney Bradshaw, '12, presents the next post in our sponsor profile series, this one on one of our Chicago neighbors - MillerCoors.

The tagline for the MillerCoors MBA internship reads, “Your career in beer starts here,” and that’s exactly what happened for Booth alum, Jeff Yoo. MillerCoors managed to woo Yoo, and if you’re passionate about marketing and a lover of beer, then you too could be wooed by the Chicago-based beer giant.

Jeff was a career switcher like a lot of Boothies pursuing careers in marketing. At Booth, he quickly uncovered a passion in learning what makes consumers tick, and he wanted to understand the psychology behind consumer decision making. But he also learned that not all marketing jobs are created equal. The beer industry is very different from the rest of its CPG kin. MillerCoors employees are truly passionate about their products, and that passion is second only to the passion expressed by MillerCoors’ loyal fans.

Before you make your way through the doors of the South Wacker headquarters, Yoo suggests considering what makes you tick as a marketer. MillerCoors offers Booth marketing students the opportunity to work in either brand management or insights. Jeff’s passion for what he describes as “pure marketing” led him towards a role in insights over brand, and he believes it’s important for Booth marketers to understand the difference. Insights at MillerCoors means uncovering the real reasons why consumers buy the beer they buy. In the insights group, you will spend your time focusing on research, problem solving, and discovery. Brand management roles really put you at the helm of decision making for your brand. As a brand manager, you will truly be the hub of the wheel.

According to Yoo, there are two types of marketers at Booth and at MillerCoors. If you’re a little bit of a geek – if you love data and numbers – insights is probably for you. If you’re a typical Type A – you want to be at the helm of a business – then brand management may be your calling. Jeff says that brand managers “have to drive the car.” But ask Henrik Christensen, Marketing Insights Manager at MillerCoors, and he’ll tell you that his group is responsible for “designing” that very car.

Jeff and his fellow alums are quite keen on keeping the Booth network alive at MillerCoors. So whether you’re geek, a driver, or just a real beer fanatic, a career at MillerCoors just might be brewing for you.

Sponsor Profile: American Express

The second piece in our series of sponsor profiles comes from American Express. The article below was written by Holly Guzman ('12)

American Express is a global services company, providing access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. This blog entry will provide you with a rich understanding of the company and how to best prepare for the recruiting process if you are interested in a marketing role at American Express. In order to gather this information, I have interviewed Booth alumna, Lindsay Loyd, who is currently serving as Director of Acquisition Strategy & Planning for Consumer Cards at American Express.

Lindsay Loyd joined American Express in 2007 after graduating from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She worked as a Manager, then a Senior Manager, on partnership marketing for the Global Commercial Card business. In August 2010, she was promoted to Director of Acquisition Strategy & Planning for the Consumer Card business. Prior to business school, she worked at Capital One as a data and financial analyst. Originally from the Pacific Northwest and a proud Washington State University alumna, she now lives in Hoboken NJ with her husband, Adam Berkowitz (also a Booth 2007 grad), and their 11 month old daughter, Marissa.

Holly Guzman: Why did you choose to work for American Express?

Lindsay Loyd:

- Great Brand. American Express has a reputation of delivering high quality services and it delivers on its brand promise.

-Location. NYC is a fun, diverse city.

- Great place for a marketing career. Marketing comes to life at American Express through the various projects you will work on. The things you work on go to market quickly. Also, you can get exposure to consumer marketing, B2B marketing, international marketing, partnership marketing, digital marketing, etc. all under the same roof.

HG: Please tell us about Leadership Express.

LL: Leadership Express is a year-long program for the incoming class of recent hires, who have just received their Master’s degrees. Leadership Express includes classes such as card economics, networking events, a speaker series featuring senior leaders, and leadership training sessions such as executive presence. The programming is spread out throughout the year. Leadership Express allows new hires to create a network of peers and leaders across various business units, which is critical when working at American Express, a highly collaborative company. A solid network will help you succeed in your current role and find your next role.

HG: What does success look like at American Express?

LL: You must be willing to embrace change and think strategically. Put yourself in the shoes of your manager and be proactive in meeting their needs. Stay up to date on what is going on in the company, the industry and in the world. Be transparent and be consistent in delivering results. Be able to influence and drive results through other people, especially via people in other groups who likely have different agendas. Find a way to make your objective a shared objective.

HG: How do leaders prepare you for your development?

LL: Mobility is a constant topic of conversation at American Express. Your manager will help you navigate your career by giving you ongoing feedback and helping you work on areas of development. Managers will give you projects focused on the skills that you need for the next position you are interested in at American Express. In addition, they will help you connect with peers and leaders for informational interviews in your target area of interest.

HG: Now that you are in a more senior position, how has your role changed?

LL: The focus is now more on leading the team and delegating. In my current role, I must have a vision and strategy, while also getting buy-in from my stakeholders. I must find a common objective to ensure results around my goals.

HG: What are some Booth resources that helped you prepare for your interview with American Express?

LL:

-Practice interviews, and lots of them! I practiced with friends (first years and second years), Career Advisors, at Winterview, in a mirror, and in my car while driving from Lakeview down to campus. Mock interviews are crucial.

-Marketing Group- The group hosts mock interviews where alumni and students will conduct a practice interview that will not impact your candidacy.

HG: What are some interview tips you received while at Booth?

LL:

- Know your top 3 ”stories” inside and out, and how you can adapt them to answer a wide variety of behavioral or fit questions. These stories should highlight how you influence people, strategic thinking and cross- functional skills. You never want to walk out of an interview without telling your 3 strongest stories!

- Speak to current employees, particularly recently alumni who have also interned at the company. Ask them specific questions that may help you understand what skills the company is looking for. That way you can highlight your transferrable skills.

- Try out some products to get first hand experience.

HG: For those interested in marketing, what are some classes you recommend?

LL:

- Middlebrooks, Developing New Products and Marketing of Services

- Data Driven Marketing

- Entrepreneurship classes such as Building the New Venture and New Venture Lab

Sponsor Profile: BCG

Over the next few weeks, we plan to bring you a series of profiles on Booth alums currently working for a number of our sponsors. Today, we'll kick things off with Lindsay Hagan ('10). Lindsay was a co-chair of the Marketing Group from April 2009-March 2010, and currently is currently a consultant with Boston Consulting Group. Lindsay took some time to fill out answer some questions about marketing, the Marketing Group, Booth, and herself. Thanks for Mary Xu ('12) for working with Lindsay to prepare this post.

Q: Why are you interested in Marketing?
Lindsay: I love that it requires a combination of highly analytical thinking and creativity. I was also a psych major in college, and I love studying consumer behavior.

Q: Favorite Marketing Group event?
L: Hard to pick just one! I've attended the conference three years in a row now, and it is always fantastic.

Q: Favorite Marketing Class?
L: Tie between Developing New Products and Services with Professor Middlebrooks and Pricing with Professor Dube - both highly recommended.

Q: What one piece of advice would you give to first-years?
L: There are always amazing Lunch and Learns, speakers, etc. (especially ones the Marketing Group brings in) - be sure to take advantage.

Q: What is your favorite product?
L: Westin Hotels (using product loosely here) - consistently good business travel experience (got to love the heavenly beds).

Q: What is your favorite brand?
L: Starbucks: where else could I get a suger-free cinnamon dolce soy latte (not to mention not be judged for ordering it)?

Q: Any hobbies outside of work (when you have "time")?
L: Trying new restaurants, running (marathons and half marathons), tennis

Q: Do you have any secret talents?
L: Word games (more of a secret obsession than talent).

Q: Best thing most people don't know about Chicago?
L: Northerly Island is great for running, biking, etc.

Q: Best and worst parts of living and working in the greater Chicago area?
L: Best: the food, cost of living, lake and summer. Worst: fact that every single bar in the city has a TV

Q: I'd like to sing a duet with...
L: I wouldn't put anyone through that pain.

Q: I always keep my ______ under lock and key.
L: Laptop

Q: ______is the bane of my existence.
L: The fact that Gilt Bar, across the street from me, is closed on Sundays

Q: Thing I love most about winter is...
L: Being warm inside when it's freezing outside.

Q: I really miss my ______ right now.
L: iPhone - had to give it up for a work Blackberry.

Q: The place I am dying to visit is...
L: Morocco

Q: The last thing I bought on sale was...
L: Loeffler Randall booties

Q: _____ is playing on my iPod right now.
L: Stereo Love by Edward