Meet Glasgow’s BMOCs: Brand Managers On Campus

Free products from their favourite brands, which they are paid to promote. Bigger than BNOCs, you’ll probably already know who they are and have seen them around campus.

These are the students you want to be.

Hannah-Naomi Karim, Glasgow University Brand Manager for Boohoo

Who do you work for and how did you get involved with them?

I work for Boohoo, I got passed on the role by Liseli for the new campaign, its all run by Seed Marketing.

What does it entail?

It just means that i’m the face of Boohoo for Glasgow university, promoting them on campus, handing out trendtracker leaflets and codes. I’m in charge of the Glasgow uni Boohoo Instagram account where I post throughout the week letting people know about Boohoo’s current deals. I also give the person who I think is the best dressed on campus each week a £5 off voucher. For any students who like Boohoo make sure to get in touch with me for discount codes and follow the Glasgow uni Boohoo Instagram account for more deals.

How does it work alongside studies?

I’ve only just got the job, but since its campus and social media based its pretty easy to slot it in to my daily routine alongside uni.

What are the perks?

I get vouchers to use online.

Do you enjoy it?

So far I am enjoying it yeah, it’s a good way of getting involved in PR and fashion, two things I’m interested in.

What do you study?

I’m a third year Sociology student.

Ben Isaac, Glasgow University’s Brand Manager for Bacardi

How did you get involved with Bacardi?

I found the ad in summer online somewhere, under the heading “student job”. I think very few people applied and so I got it pretty easily.

What does it entail?

The job is quite easy going really. We have to post things on social media a few times a week and then also we get sent Bacardi bottles to take along to parties and socials around campus.

How does it work alongside studies?

The good thing about it is that you basically work your own hours. You choose what parties you can go to, plus they’re mostly in the evening so there’s no clashes with uni.

What are the perks?

We got these cards that were pre-loaded with money and we had to buy people Bacardi drinks on a night out. We also get a lot of redemption cards that count for free shots at bars. It’s a good way to meet people.

Do you enjoy it?

Yes I enjoy it, it’s an ideal job. But sometimes you have to go partying when you’re not actually up for it.

What do you study? I’m a third year Biotechnology student.

Stephen McNally, Glasgow University Brand Manager for Spotify

Who do you work for and how did you get involved with them?

I work for a young marketing company called Seed Marketing who works with loads of top brands such as Spotify, Budweiser and Amazon.

I started my role as a Spotify brand manager just over a year ago and heard about it through a friend.

What does it entail?

The role involves bringing Spotify into anything that students do at uni. Whether it be supporting house parties or offering up some great study playlists to get everyone through the exam period. Around the country there are 60 SBM’s at different universities.

We are pretty fortunate as we’ve been kitted out with some amazing kit which we can use to support parties, pre-drinks or any other events. It includes a massive set of speakers, giant balloons, a never ending supply of cups and even a ps4. All of this kit is available for use so if anyone wants to get a hold of the kit for a night be sure to give me a message and I’d be happy to help you out. We also regularly post  great student playlists on the Sound of Glasgow Uni Spotify profile so be sure to give it a follow!

How does it work alongside studies?

The job is great due to the flexibility associated with it. We are set a number of tasks to carry out and it is then up to us to complete them in the best way we find possible. Normally I spend about 7-9 hours a week working for the company but it varies depending on the week!

What are the perks?

Both companies work together to really give us some great stuff, not only do we get the party kits to use they also incentivise us with some really great prizes for those making an impact at their uni. The best SBM from last year even got two free tickets to Coachella.

Do you enjoy it?

Yes, I really do. I am incredibly lucky to have the job I do!

What do you study?

I’m a third year Economics student.

Is there anything happening on campus right now that students can look out for?

Yes. Right now I’m focusing on promoting the Spotify Spotify Sound-Clash Competition. This term Spotify are giving societies the chance to win a huge £10,000 mega-prize. To be in with a chance of winning, all societies need to do is enter a 30-plus song playlist on the Sound Clash website – spotify-soundclash.co.uk. The society who gets the most playlist followers will win an epic £5,000 cash and £5,000 worth of personalised threads from ASOS. The first five runners-up will win a sweet £2,000 package made up of £1,000 cash and £1,000 worth of personalised garms from ASOS.

Rory Wood, Brand Manager for Red Bull

Who do you work for and how did you get involved with them?

I work for Red Bull, I noticed their advertisement for the opportunity online and after submitting my application I had to go down to London for a series of interviews and the next thing I knew I got the job and got flown down to Birmingham to do training in a big stately home with another 37 students from other Unis around the UK.

What does it entail?

It’s quite wide- ranging really and ranges from checking shop stocks, bars and clubs to seeding cans to the biggest sports team and societies on campus to help give them an edge in their games and training.

Red Bull are really into the surprise and please element so I don’t have to stand on the street forcing unwanted leaflets or cans into people’s hands, usually the product seeding I do involves leaving a few cans in the gym lockers, on peoples bikes or on people’s library desks while they’re away grabbing books so people who find them are pleased to find a little energy boost whether they’re working out, studying. So if you’ve ever come back to your desk, bike to find a can of Red Bull with a little hanger on that was me.

If you’ve never had the pleasure of finding a complimentary can of Red Bull you should add the Glasgow Red Bull Snapchat: Bullman_Glasgow

I use this to give little hints of where people can find a free can of Red bull in the library to help them with their studies.

I also do event support which is based around using the many tools Red Bull has available to help make events on campus even better. From society/sports team events such as the recent Fifa Tournament to the coming Glasgow University Charity Fashion Show I can help you bring your event to life with anything from DJ Decks and funktion 1 speakers to huge wigwam tents and Red Bull bars so I’m a good person to hit up if you’re planning an event around Campus.

How does it work alongside studies?

I work in my own time logging my own hours in reports so it’s quite easy to fit around uni work, although it can get a little hectic when there’s a lot of events to support in one month.

What are the perks?

Probably getting to go to their events, Red Bull are always holding or supporting the best sports and music events and getting paid to go and help out at them is great.

Do you enjoy it?

Yes I do, it’s great working for a company with such a creative and ambivalent outlook they’re not too pushy about putting their branding in people’s faces and are always doing new innovative things.

It can also be quite rewarding when you give someone a can of Red Bull in the library and their visibly elated that you’ve given them an extra energy boost to help with their work, as also with event support, people are really pleased to have Red Bull support their event to make it even better.

Sometimes it can get a little stressful when I have essay deadlines and still need to get enough hours work for the month but I’m usually pretty organised so can avoid that happening.

What do you study?

I’m a third year History student. Obviously History doesn’t isn’t exactly related but I hope with the marketing and sales experience I’ve gained from Red Bull I can go into something in that field as I really enjoy it.

Is there anything happening on campus at the moment that Glasgow Students should look out for?

Red Bull are currently taking applicants of teams of 3 for a cross Europe competition in which you have to try and get from one side of Europe to another on using only Red Bull cans as currency, completing a number of different challenges (skiing, skydiving, paragliding and much more!) on the way. It’s a really great way to get a free trip across Europe with some friends and tick a few things of the bucket list on the way, I think one team even managed to convince a guy to let them in his private jet last year.

To apply you just have film a short 30 second clip of you and your 2 friends and submit it on the https://www.redbullcanyoumakeit.com page.

If you’re interested head over to https://www.redbullcanyoumakeit.com/ where you can find a videos of past contestants experiences and more information on how to get involved.

Sévy Thompson Brand Manager for Nike and Glasgow University

Who do you work for and how did you get involved with them?

I work as a brand ambassador for Nike and Glasgow University as they’re the kit providers for all the sports teams. I applied for the job online after chatting to one of last year’s brand ambassadors.

What does it entail?

My job is to be seen at different sporting events and open days and around campus wearing Glasgow Nike kit. I promote the brand on social media, attend photo shoots and come up with new ideas to keep Nike on everyone’s radar, along with three other BAs.

How does it work alongside studies?

The job is pretty flexible and manageable with my studies, occasionally there are events I have to attend but most of the time I can fit it around my classes and deadlines and I work with the Glasgow University Sports Association Marketing Director and the other BAs at times which work for us all.

What are the perks?

The perks are that I get an amazing range of Nike kit to wear to the gym and around campus, and I get to be the first to try out the new and limited edition clothes.

Do you enjoy it?

I’m really enjoying this job, It’s not too stressful or time consuming and we really mix up the different things we do and the events we are part of which keeps it interesting… I’m having great fun doing it and I have such a great wee team to work with.

What do you study?

I’m a third year Sociology student.