In October, we welcomed Sophie Dance, a student from the University of Liverpool, onto the team for an internship.
In September, our MD Nicola gave a guest lecture at the uni as part of ULMS Extra, which is a programme of extra-curricular events and activities exclusively for Management School students. During these sessions, students are invited to enhance their employability skills and make connections with alumni and employers.
Nicola’s session gave insight into what it’s like to work in a creative agency and what employers tend to look for when recruiting. During the session, students had the opportunity to win a 2- week work placement to experience life at an agency. After seeing Sophie’s enthusiasm, we knew she would be a great fit with the Poke team.
Since starting her work placement, Sophie has gotten stuck in many aspects of agency life, including the creative strategy processes, client relationships, copywriting, content creation, and account management.
We caught up with Sophie to hear about her time at Poke:
What are you currently studying at university?
I’m currently studying for an undergraduate degree in Marketing (BA) and am set to graduate in June 2025.
What has been the highlight of your 2 weeks’ work experience at Poke?
Presenting ideas for Poke’s 4th birthday post and seeing everyone’s thought process.
What was it like working with the Poke team?
Working with the Poke team has been incredibly rewarding. The environment is both creative and collaborative—ideas are always bouncing around, and everyone has the freedom to explore and expand on them. They’ve done a great job of creating an environment that fosters creativity without judgement and their humour keeps the day enjoyable.
What have you learned about working in an agency?
Working in an agency has shown me the incredible value of teamwork. You can start with one idea, but as each different team member contributes, the idea builds and builds into something so exciting. This collective creativity is definitely one of the most rewarding aspects of agency life.
Is there anything about agency life that you would like to pursue more of?
Absolutely. I love the variety of projects and opportunities to experiment with different industries. It’s fun to be able to switch between a formal, strategic concept for one client and a more playful, creative approach for another, each with their own unique goals and audiences. This constant variety keeps the work challenging and engaging which I’ll definitely chase throughout my career.
Favourite lunch spot while working on Old Hall Street?
Probably Mangetout. The best tuna melt.
What about the marketing industry interests you the most?
What interests me most about the marketing industry is the blend of creativity and strategy it offers. I have always been both creative and analytical, and marketing allows me to tap into both of these sides. There’s a real freedom- endless opportunities to disrupt, explore, and learn. I love the ability to shape how messages can come across, both visually and emotionally, and the power to connect brands with people in a way that truly resonates.
We have loved having Sophie join us, she has been a real asset to the team. We’re looking forward to seeing what she goes on to do next!
