Today we’d like to introduce you to Zachary Walker.
Hi Zachary, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am an energetic marketer with a decade of experience in brand amplification and social media, including a strong background in brand strategy, working on several Fortune 200 companies. After graduating from the University of Missouri, I returned home to Chicago and started my professional career, doing some form of digital marketing since then. I’ve been fortunate to work on iconic brands Oscar Mayer, Clorox, Kingsford, Burt’s Bees, Triscuit, Fireball Whisky, and Kool-Aid to develop and execute digital and social media content strategies that have reached millions of consumers across the globe through organic and paid social, along with influencer marketing. I’ve also helped challenger brands like A2 Milk, and Merrick Pet Care, who have each worked to establish themselves in their respective categories.
My success with Oscar Mayer and Fireball Whisky afforded me the opportunities to speak at several business and networking events over the years, including Chicago Social Media Week (November 2017), the SocialRock Conference in Rockford, Illinois (May 2019) and more recently during a virtual panel hosted by the Cannabis Certification Council, and in October of 2022 when I spoke at the Cristo Rey Network national headquarters.
Fast forward to today, I now help lead social media and influencer marketing as the VP of Social media for the Motion Agency, a midsize advertising agency in Chicago with its roots in traditional PR where I support our SVP of content services across the majority of our accounts and manage junior to mid-level social media professionals. During my career, I’ve led or worked on social media for over 50 brands, many of which you can find at your local Schnucks or Hy-Vee.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Of course not, but based on where things have landed, I’m proud of where I’ve made it so far. Having worked in one of the more challenging and toxic industries (advertising) and working specifically on a marketing channel that requires an “always on” approach to the work (social media), I’ve probably seen or experienced every type of obstacle professionally. I’ve been fired from a role early in my career after working there for two years; I’ve been laid off near the start of the pandemic and have had my fair share of horrible bosses or leaders. But I always say that “every season serves its purpose.” And by that, I mean that every roadblock, challenge, and setback made me the person I am today. And in turn, this has led to the success I’ve had to date.
Thanks – What else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
For most of my career, I’ve been helping brands in multiple industries create social media content and partner with influencers to help achieve their business goals. I enjoy establishing practical strategies that my current and former clients can use to craft a compelling brand story, ensuring consistency across all media channels, and leveraging multiple social media platforms. Whether a seasoned business owner or a starter, you can unlock your brand’s true power and drive business success in today’s competitive marketplace by leveraging social media and influencer marketing. When thinking of my proudest work moments, my work on brand-level campaigns—including Oscar Mayer’s For The Love Of Hot Dogs campaign and jumpstarting Maven’s car-sharing programs in the U.S. and Canadian markets with the help of influencers—has given me extensive experience with leading and challenger brands in a variety of industry verticals.
Another proud moment of mine was my work with Fireball Whisky, which led to some record levels of performance in 2019, increasing overall sales by 6.5%, doubling their Year Over Year (YOY) Reach, and tripling their Year Over Year (YOY) Engagement across all major social media channels. We also partnered with influencers, like the lead singer of the Flaming Lips, Wayne Coyne, to building brand advocacy via experiential marketing at the Country Thunder music festival, Community Management, and much more. We even saw a 600% increase in overall social performance from the previous month, our 1st month using our agency’s Creative and Strategy.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?Definitely! Here is some good advice that has helped me grow my professional network:
- Start with your network.
- Look for people you know who are already in the field you want to be in or who have the skills and experience you want to learn. You can also ask your friends, family, and former colleagues for recommendations.
- Attend industry events.
This is a great way to meet new people and learn about opportunities in your field. You can also attend meetups, conferences, and training sessions. Be proactive. Don’t wait for someone to approach you. Reach out to people you admire and ask them if they would be willing to mentor you. Be prepared to sell yourself and explain why you would be a good mentee. Use online networking platforms. Many online platforms can help you connect with people in your field. LinkedIn and other sites like MeetUp or AngelList may work for you.
Pricing:
- I provide consulting to both small businesses and larger brands on an hourly, project and retainer basis.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.walkerzach.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wacharyzalker/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walkzach/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZamZaddi
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wacharyzalker/featured
Image Credits
Image 1: Christo Rey Network Image 2: Christo Rey Network Image 3: Fireball Whisky Image 4: My photo Image 5: SocialRock Conference Image 6: Social Media Week Image 7: Jim and Claire O’Bright (St. Louis Residents) Image 8: Business Insider
