Get to know Chloé, our new Director of Timelines!

Have you met our “new Holly?” If you haven’t had the pleasure of doing so (and even if you have), you’re sure to love this fun and insightful interview with T&S Online Marketing’s new project manager, Chloé Gee.

Q: The basics: What/where/why did you study in college? I heard someone told you that you can get paid to sit on Facebook all day, and you were like “Yes, please sign me up.”

A: Ha! Yeah. So I was originally a photography major at the University of Central Oklahoma, but my mom really didn’t want me to be a starving artist (she was a professional photographer for more than 20 years), so I switched to studying public relations. I was always a talented writer, and I thought that it would be a good fit for me.

Then, UCO got rid of the PR program for a more integrated marketing curriculum called strategic communications (known as strat comm for short). It was a great marketing/advertising/public relations hybrid. I realized that it would give me a broader skill set, so I switched to strat comm with a minor in leadership.

Once I started delving into my classes, I really fell in love with all aspects of communication. I took a digital and social communication class that was focused on social media and realized that I could turn one of my favorite pastimes into a career. That path has certainly morphed into much more than just sitting on Facebook all day. I’m very passionate about digital strategy.

Q: Cool! Will you tell me a bit about your prior experience before becoming a Pixel Pusher?

A: I have two and a half years of agency experience working at a full-service public relations and marketing firm in downtown Oklahoma City. We worked with businesses and organizations of all sizes and types. It gave me a great foundation and taught me a lot about all kinds of industries I would have otherwise known nothing about.

I wore a plethora of different hats in my previous role. I created everything from digital copy for social media, newsletters, blogs, and websites to press releases, talking points, radio advertisements, strategic plans, and much more. I also did location photography for clients, planned fun events, designed graphics for print and web, filmed and edited videos, and an array of other tasks.

Q: Nice! And how did you end up here?

A: It was fate! I have served on the board for the International Association of Business Communicators for several years now, and I met the magical Pretty Cool Boss Man, Tim Priebe, after he came to a meeting and joined our board. Actually, at first he didn’t think I’d be a good fit for the culture, but then when I was outed for being a pretty big nerd at our annual retreat, he changed his mind.

Q: What is one thing that people might be surprised to know about you?

A: Well, I think I just spoiled the big surprise but yes, it’s true… I’m a big nerd. I play a lot of video games and am obsessed with Game of Thrones/Harry Potter/Lord of the Rings, etc. One time I went to Best Buy to purchase a new Xbox game. The kid who was ringing me up seriously looked at me and said, “Sooooo, is this for your boyfriend or your brother?” I laughed out loud and was like, “No, my dude, this is for me. I’m going to pwn dragons all night!”

So yeah, it’s totally possible for girly girls to also kick butt in video games. I’m also obligated to tell you that I used to play a lot of World of Warcraft, and I am not ashamed. And by play I mean I was a guild leader and orchestrated five- to 40-person raids.

Q: I don’t know what any of that means, but that’s cool! Okay, last question! What’s something you’re passionate about?

A: Personally, I’m super passionate about my family and spending time with them. My parents have made so many sacrifices to help give me this beautiful life, so I work hard each day to try and make them more proud of me than the day before. I know, it’s super sappy but very true. I love you, Mom and Dad!

Professionally, I’m very passionate about fulfilling my client’s marketing goals and objectives. I love coming to work every day and being able to use my expertise to help other people grow their business and, in turn, their dreams.

Have more questions for Chloé? Ask her in the comments below!