Angelo Del Castillo is an Account Producer at creative marketing agency 35 Degrees North, where he is responsible for planning, designing and delivering events.
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1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?
I started as a graphic designer and shifted to live events in various roles ranging from sales, event planning to project management, mostly in corporate but have experience in theatrical events also. I started in New Zealand, then moved to Sydney to tackle the big smoke.
I’m now with 35 Degrees North – a leading creative marketing agency based in Sydney. Lately we have been designing and delivering everything digital due to the current climate. We’d love to eventually get back into live events also.
My role as an Account Producer entails being a bit of a “jack of all trades” which includes designing, planning, client and supplier relationship management.
2) What does a day in the life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?
Parallel to having a “jack of all trades” role also means each day is never the same. As an example, last Friday, I started my morning at the gym then checked messages and made some phone calls.
Then I was off to a client for a catch-up and finally headed to a studio to manage a virtual panel session between Singapore and India. Due to the time difference, our day ended up late and I have some weekend emails to clear. For agencies, it’s typical to have a diverse schedule.
3) Does your current role allow for flexible or remote working? If so, how does that fit into your life and routine?
Our work demands flexibility, we are always on different sites sometimes interstate or internationally (not currently of course).
I love the flexible routine. As a creative, there are times when you just hit a block and sometimes all it takes is changing the landscape or going for a workout to restart the brain. We also have international clients so it’s not unusual to be doing calls outside typical office hours.
4) What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?
Balance to me is whatever makes you content and doesn’t drive you mad. For me, it’s a two-way street and it’s critical to have your leaders buy in on the mantra. Communication and results are also key.
5) In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits to change your life?
Where to begin on this one? With COVID, I feel a lot of the routines got thrown out the window. One of the positive changes is we’ve been cooking at home a lot and the result is a healthier diet. Another one is not having to travel during rush hour traffic.
6) Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?
Professionally I’ve been following WGSN, a world leader in trends and change forecasting. Fitness-wise, I’ve been semi-obsessed following any science based podcasters such as Jeff Cavaliere or Jeremy Either. Not these silly Instagram influencers who are just trying to sell products.
7) Are there any products, gadgets or apps that you can’t live without?
Laptop and mobile phone, of course.
I’ve been loving cross platform apps such as Evernote, G-Suite and every other video calling app lately is a necessity.
8) If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?
Vasyl Lomachenko is an amazing inspiration. I tend to digest stories of elite sports folks due to the dedication, focus, fortitude physically and mentally to be at their level.
9) Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?
It’s been said before but I believe in the saying “work to live not live to work”.
A lot of people and industries are also being ravaged by COVID one way or another so it’s also a time of understanding, compassion and reflection. I hope we can all get through this soon as it’s hitting everyday folk the worst. If you are reading this, I truly wish you the best during these strange times.
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