Keri Hammond
Posted by Communications2 on Jul. 20, 2022 / Member Spotlight / Subscribe 0
Name: Keri Hammond, FSMPS, CPSM
Company: MARKETLINK
Title: Owner/Principal
Board Role: Director of Communications
How long have you worked at your company?
I co-founded MARKETLINK 20 years ago
How would you describe your role/job?
I have the best job in the world. As a consultant I get to dabble in every marketing task imaginable. My day-to-day activities are diverse, I get to experience working with all disciplines. I get to work with clients all over the country. I get to work with all types of AEC professionals, from interns to firm owners and everyone in-between.
What are the rewards of your job?
There are so many rewards of my job. I think the #1 reward for me is when I get to teach others how to be successful in our industry. This can be anything from one-on-one training, speaking at conferences, mentoring phone calls, or during the process of working with someone on an on-going basis. I have so many professionals who have been my mentors and I hope I am paying it forward to others in our industry.
What are your challenges?
My biggest challenge is managing my time due to the diverse nature of project workload. Over the past few years, the MARKETLINK team has grown and the professionals that I work with have helped me tremendously. We have specialists in every skillset needed to provide value to our clients.
What has been your most meaningful project?
My most meaningful and memorable project was when I was a marketing assistant working for my father’s engineering company. The very first proposal I worked on led to the firm being selected to design the bobsled/luge run in Park City for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. That was a proposal and presentation experience I will never forget! It was the first time I had ever worked with a graphic designer to create custom marketing materials and I remember many late nights strategizing with the team members. It was during that process that I realized I really did like this technical industry.
How long have you been an SMPS member?
32 years. I love this organization.
What led you to serve on the Board?
As one of the founding members of the Chapter, I served on the board during its initial start up as the Student Liaison. Over the years, I have served on every committee, held every board position, and served as President twice.
How has SMPS membership helped you?
Without the education I have received from SMPS, I don’t know how I would have learned this technical industry. SMPS has provided me the opportunity to learn, network and serve in this industry.
What’s the best career advice you’ve received?
The best career advice I have received is to create my own opportunities to learn about the “product” I am “selling”. One of my mentors told me that I needed to be proactive and ask to attend project meetings, ask to tag along on site visits, take technical staff to lunch and ask them to explain their projects to me in terms that I can understand. These simple activities have provided me the most valuable education I have received during my career.
What’s the best career advice you’ve given?
I always tell marketing professionals that if they can interview technical staff members, interpret their dialogue into marketing “lingo” through professional writing, they will have a job in this industry forever.
What has contributed to your success?
I believe that being a member of SMPS and utilizing the network that I have created through colleagues has provided me the most opportunities for growth and success during my career.
What’s on your bucket list?
My bucket list torments me a little bit. One of my favorite pastimes is to sit on a beach or by a pool in the sun reading a book with a Diet Coke in hand. However, one of my top bucket list items is to see the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).
Something we don’t know about you?
My husband, brother-in-law, nephew, niece, and I were on Family Feud a few years ago. It was an amazing experience that I will never forget. And winning made it even better!
Guilty pleasure: what can you not live without?
Diet Coke, extra ice in my Stanley.
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