Sarah Trethewy is the Brand Marketing Executive at Nikon Australia, where she oversees sponsorships & partnerships, PR, influencer management, creative and digital.
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1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?
Sure! I started my career in agency land, working at a global PR firm across various consumer lifestyle clients. I loved the pace of agency life but really wanted to understand the ins and outs of a business and brand.
That led me to my current role as Brand Marketing Executive at Nikon Australia where I oversee sponsorships + partnerships, PR, influencer management, creative and digital. No two days are ever the same and I love working with and profiling creatives from various genres.
2) What does a day in the life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?
My day usually begins with a 4.30am alarm for a 5.10am gym class. While it is early, this routine really helps clear my mind and sets me up for the day. I’m usually home by 6.15am, where I log on to have a quick skim of my emails.
I’m on the road by 8am and at my desk by 8.30am where I respond to any urgent emails and refresh my to-do list for the day. My days tend to be quite meeting heavy with agency partners, my team and photographers.
In between the emails and catch ups, I’m usually planning a new campaign, writing a brief or reviewing a proposal. I tend to leave the office around 5.30pm, and like ending the day cooking dinner with my partner.
3) Does your current role allow for flexible or remote working? If so, how does that fit into your life and routine?
We have a flexible working arrangement and are encouraged to work between the home office and office based on our weekly schedule.
There are often times where I work five days in the office, and then other weeks where I work two days from home. I love the flexibility and being able to have time for life admin.
4) What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?
I work in a field that I am very passionate about, so it’s hard not to totally live and breathe my career. I’ve accepted that life and work will never be in perfect balance as life is unpredictable!
There will always be periods of stressful deadlines at the office or chaotic life moments where you need to drop everything. As long as I can make time for myself, be present with loved ones and switch off when I need a break, I’m okay with that balance.
5) In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits to change your life?
I exercise a lot more than I ever used to. In March last year, I started walking 7km every morning with my partner before work (who happens to be a morning person).
After a few weeks, I was hooked and now I look forward to my alarm and seeing the sun rise each morning. There’s something so calming about being up before the rest of the world.
6) Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?
Shameless Podcast. Probably not the most original recommendation but I love their weekly in-conversation series, especially with Grace Tame and netballer Jo Weston.
7) Are there any products, gadgets or apps that you can’t live without?
My iPhone, Airpods, Garmin and the Bureau of Meteorology app (I’ve never been caught in the rain since).
8) If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?
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