Fellows Interview with Kate Mackie

We are delighted to bring you a Fellows Interview with Kate Mackie Global GTM Lead - BMC, Partner, EY.

The Marketing Society Fellowship is our highest and most prestigious accolade awarded to outstanding marketing leaders who have achieved significant success in the markets they’ve worked in and made an active contribution to The Marketing Society and our industry more broadly.

What is your golden rule?

Be kind, not nice.

Who has been your biggest influence?

My parents. My Dad was an economist who worked at the MoD whilst my Mum was a zoologist who campaigned for CND and led charities focused on enabling peace. It made for very interesting dining room conversations.

What is your most hated business expression?

Blue sky thinking. Push the envelope. Think outside the box…any trite buzzwordy phrase that really has little substance. Rather than all of the pushing and thinking it would be better for us to be curious and understand difference!

What’s the smartest business idea you’ve ever had?

I am very grateful to have married a teacher. My husband makes our home life work so I can concentrate on my work passions.

Which leader do you admire most and why?

There are so many … Jacinda Ahern with her empathetic yet decisive style of leadership during a crisis came to mind first!

What keeps you up at night as a marketing leader?

How do we professionalise marketing… so that we can be valued as much as other vocations? However my super power is to be able to sleep anywhere so I am not awake for long.

Why is being part of The Marketing Society important for your career?

It enables me to connect across the industry, stay ahead of the trends and give back to our profession. Plus it is a lot of fun!

Why does marketing matter to you?

It is one of the most exciting functions to work in that touches all facets of a firm. As someone who is a balance of both right and left brain thinking I love the possibility of marrying art and science… and am hugely passionate about customer experience.

What does the word impact mean to you when it comes to marketing?

Creating connections with customers, informing and educating the market and driving business performance. Marketing also has a huge responsibility to drive demand for products and services that put people and planet first.

Tell us something that’s not on your CV

I love adventures. Each year we try and do something different as a family that takes us off the beaten track.

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Published on 10 February 2025