Member Interview with Mia Esat

We are delighted to bring you a Member Interview with Mia Esat, Associate Director of Comms

What’s your golden rule?

Don’t confuse activity with impact. I’d rather deliver one piece of meaningful work that moves the needle than ten that simply fill a tracker.

Who has been your biggest influence?

My former Director Naomi Prior, who taught me that calm doesn’t mean passive. Watching her navigate chaos with clarity, empathy and strategy showed me that leadership is about presence, not noise.

What is your most hated business expression?

'Let’s circle back.' It’s usually code for “I’ve done nothing about it, and I need more time.

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

I built a company research framework that redefined how we pursue growth. Shifting new-business activity from reactive chasing to strategic intelligence. It combined data, behavioural insights and prioritisation logic to focus effort where it matters most. Beyond improving conversion rates, it has changed how the team thinks in terms of embedding curiosity, precision and confidence into the culture of prospecting.

Which leader do you admire most and why?

Angela Ahrendts. She brought emotional intelligence into corporate leadership and proved that brand and culture are inseparable. Her time at Burberry and Apple is a masterclass in leading with purpose and instinct.

What is on your mind the most right now as a marketing leader?

Keeping creative energy alive in a climate of constant pressure. The demand to deliver more with less has become the norm, but sustaining originality without burning people out - this is the real test of leadership.

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

It’s one of the few spaces that values honest conversation over self-promotion. I’m here to learn from peers in the industry who challenge the way things have always been done and contribute where I can.

Why does marketing matter to you?

It’s where logic meets emotion. I love the process of taking something complicated — a business, a product, even a problem and turning it into a story people actually care about. It’s not about spin or noise; it’s about finding the truth in what you’re saying and telling it in a way that connects. When it’s done well, marketing builds belief in the brand. And that’s what I’ve always found exciting about it.

Tell us something that’s not on your CV

I run a small NPO for rehoming Middle East's rescue cats in the UK. It started with one stray and somehow turned into a full operation! I’ve probably matched more cats to homes than Tinder has people. It’s chaotic, emotional and often hilarious, but it keeps me grounded and reminds me that empathy and instinct go a long way - in rescue and in work.