We are delighted to bring you a Member Interview with Ali Oliver, Co-Founder, Shaka Social
What’s your golden rule?
Everything is made up, nobody is in charge and there are no rules. I have this as a sticker on my laptop to remind me everyday.
Who has been your biggest influence?
My dad. He taught me the value of never giving up when things get tough, which has come in handy when launching an agency.
What is your most hated business expression?
This might be unpopular but anything to do OKR's (I still don't know how they differ from KPI's)
What’s the smartest business idea you’ve ever had?
Launching Shaka Social (maybe the most stressful idea too!).
We felt there was a huge opportunity to help brands create engaging content and drive growth on social. There are so many brands that struggle to genuinely connect with their audience and the benefits when you get it right are huge. We wanted to provide an all-in-one solution that genuinely worked and so far we've partnered with global brands like Skyscanner, Red Bull and Whyte & Mackay.
Which leader do you admire most and why?
I'm a big fan of Timm Chiusano (you should definitely check out him out on TikTok). He reminds me that while we're all striving to be more efficient, more productive and generally just better at everything all the time at breakneck speed - it's important to recognise the small moments and appreciate life for what it is - a bit crazy and kind of weird.
What is on your mind the most right now as a marketing leader?
What the next big social media platform is going to be.
Why is being part of The Marketing Society important for your career?
Being part of a network of likeminded and ambitious people is an invaluable resource for anyone. It's easy to get stuck in a bubble, so The Marketing Society is a great way to meet new people and expand your network in a way that feels authentic and genuine.
Why does marketing matter to you?
For me marketing is an amazing blend between instinctive creativity and data-driven analysis. The ability to come up with a crazy creative idea and see it deliver measurable impact is really special and it's something that feels quite unique to marketing.
Tell us something that’s not on your CV
I've played Rugby League for Scotland against Australia. We unfortunately lost but it was an amazing (and slightly humbling) experience to play against some of the best players in the world.
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