This story was co-written by Sloane Fistel.
It’s no secret that strong leadership is vital to a company’s success. However, it is also critical for employee engagement. In fact, 70 percent of employees who lack confidence in senior leadership are not engaged with their employer. That’s a problem when you consider that belief in senior leadership is the strongest engagement driver for employees.
Luckily, even with all our recent growth, our partners’ open door (or no door) policy has remained. And we wanted to take advantage of that perk to get to know rbb’s leaders on a more intimate level.
In this series, we will sit down with rbb’s partners to learn more about their backgrounds and career stories – and maybe a few other juicy details along the way.
Today, we put on our reporter caps for an exclusive interview with rbb’s EVP/Partner and master of all things consumer, Tina Elmowitz.
Read on for the inside scoop from a partner at one of the largest integrated communications agencies in the state of Florida.
How’d you get started in the industry?
Tina: I got started in PR by luck and stayed in it with hard work and perseverance. Shortly after graduating college, a PR job fell into my lap. I fell in love immediately and today the affair continues.
How’d you get started at rbb?
Tina: A reporter I worked with on a story shared the rbb account executive job listing with me. The rest is history, but that was the first of many lessons to always maintain relationships because you never who can open doors for you, and vice versa.
Can you share an uncomfortable or embarrassing experience from when you were first starting out?
Tina: The first event I managed for Ringling Bros. – over 20 years ago – was a community peanut recipe contest. As contestants stood ready to share their creations and media were ready to capture it all, the show’s headline performer pulled me aside to say that he was allergic to peanuts. While it ended up being a gag – perhaps my initiation into the Greatest Show on Earth – it taught me a great lesson in preparation. I’ve made my mistakes along the way, but I’ve always learned from them.
In business, what are you known for?
Tina: Ideas and creativity.
What’s new in your field of expertise since you started your career?
Tina: Everything! Integrated marketing is the biggest piece—we’re not limited to media relations anymore. We truly are able to make campaigns come to life.
rbb recently announced its newest Breakout Brand survey results. What’s the one thing business owners need to know to break out?
Tina: Listen to your customers. They will tell you exactly what they want and give you a road map for success.
What is your one piece of advice to a young professional entering the industry?
Tina: Take a finance course; it makes the world go ‘round. It’s important to understand how a balance sheet works and what it is telling you – it is very insightful.
If your name were an acronym, what would it stand for?
Tina: The Inner Ninja Awaits – because I love to tackle new challenges and come up with creative solutions.
What’s your greatest failure, and how did you overcome it?
Tina: I don’t tend to dwell on failures. However, you must have failures to have huge successes. Certainly, my failures have helped me grow.
Bookworm or TV addict? What’s your favorite book or TV show?
Tina: Bookworm. Favorite book: “The Count of Monte Cristo” – it’s the ultimate revenge story.
Shark diving, bungee jumping, or sky diving?
Tina: None of the above!
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Tina: To be more patient.
If you could trade lives with one person for an entire day who would it be?
Tina: Harry Potter.
Sweet or salty?
Tina: Salty.
If you could choose to be an age forever, what would it be and why?
Tina: I would choose my current age. As I’ve aged, I’ve gained more confidence and I’m happy with where I am now.
Where did you travel to most recently?
Tina: Nashville. (I highly recommend it.)
If you released the Genie from the bottle, what would your three wishes be?
Tina: A lifetime of good health, happiness and a magic inbox organizer for my email.
Sushi or Italian?
Tina: Italian – I can’t resist pizza.
If you could have an actor/actress play you in a movie about your life, who would it be?
Tina: Helen Hunt.
White or red wine?
Tina: Red.
We hope these 20 questions provided greater insight into the creative mind of Tina and gave you a sense of her fabulous, energetic personality that is so valuable to clients and employees at rbb. Stay tuned for the rest of our “rbb Behind the Scenes” series.
Have more questions for Tina? Comment them below and she will answer!