Top Hat Founder Speaks at Pitt’s AMA Regional Conference
The University of Pittsburgh hosted its third annual American Marketing Association (AMA) Regional Conference on February 11, 2017.
Our founder—Ben Butler, APR—had the opportunity to speak on the Panel of Professionals to kick off Pitt’s AMA Regional Conference.
He yacked alongside a rockstar cast including Tim McLaughlin (president, 321Blink), Dave Kwasnick (former partner, Gatesman), Shane Scanlon (VP of Small Business Sales, ADP), amongst others.
In line with the conference’s “Find Your Niche” theme, professionals discussed their individual areas of expertise and what it’s like to work in those areas. Ben spoke to the communications industry specifically and stumbled into discussing boutique-startup agency life as well.
Some of his top tips for anyone looking to excel in the communications, boutique agency or startup spaces?
- Jobs with startups are hardly advertised. Establish a network of people tuned into the local area to hear about those opportunities.
- Communications is becoming less and less about segmented niches and more about integration. A well-rounded skill-set with ties to marketing, public relations, advertising, branding and website design is incredibly marketable.
- If you’re not looking for stress, or a high-paced environment, neither communications, agency or startup life is for you.