How We Make Our MARK – A Day in the Life featuring Samantha Pucci

Get to know us … even better! Each month we sit down with one of our talented members to take a glimpse into their day-to-day lives, their experiences, passions, advice and personalities!

If you missed any of our previous issues of How We Make Our Mark, check them out here!

This month, we caught up with Account Manager Sam Pucci. Let’s jump into it!

2024 is here! What are you looking forward to in the new year?

"One of my biggest goals for the new year is to stay organized both professionally and personally, as 2024 will be a busy year. I plan to be readily prepared for all upcoming project deadlines for work, as well as for some personal milestone events on the horizon that include being a bridesmaid at my cousin’s wedding!”

What new skills did you acquire this year?

“I gained experience with several different platforms through client projects, such as Classy for Fundraising, various email platforms and Canva for social media. I also found myself in situations where I had the opportunity to strengthen my problem-solving and quick-thinking skills, which helped me increase my dependability and reliability as a client partner and team member.”

How long have you been at OTM and what is your favorite part of this company?

“I’ve been at OTM for over three years, starting as an intern back in the summer of 2020. My favorite part of this company is the collaborative and supportive environment. The teamwork and talent of this group of women is unmatched.”

What does your weekly morning routine look like?

“I’m more of a night owl than a morning person. So, I tend to take it slow when I wake up, which is not at the crack of dawn! I’ll pour myself a cup of coffee, or lemon water to rehydrate, and then leisurely scroll on my phone. If I have time, I’ll get in a chapter of a book I’m reading. If not, it’s straight to work from there!”

Sam’s leisurely morning cup of coffee

What does your typical workday look like? What type of clients do you work with?

“My clients span from non-profit organizations, like hospital foundations and private schools, to for-profit organizations like restaurants and other service businesses. This allows for a variety of work throughout the week, which always requires fresh and creative thinking.

My typical workday starts with reviewing my daily agenda and assessing upcoming dates for the remainder of the week and month ahead. Most of my day consists of communicating with my clients and design team regarding ongoing projects. I’ll manage various stages of a project such as planning, creating timelines, preparing estimates, writing copy, reviewing edits, brainstorming creative elements for a campaign – the list goes on!”

What are your favorite types of projects to work on?

“So much of my work provides creative freedom and the opportunity to deliver content ideas, copywriting and design concepts to our clients. It’s rewarding to collaborate with our team and brainstorm new ideas that make our clients’ projects the best they can be.”

In your opinion, what is one of the most important skills for an account manager to have?

“Time management. As an account manager, you juggle multiple projects and client accounts simultaneously. You need to be aware of how much time is needed of yourself, your team and your clients during each stage of the process. So, to be able to prioritize your tasks efficiently to meet competing deadlines is essential to success.”

What is the most challenging part of your role?

“Handling the unexpected. I am responsible for planning a project’s scope of work from conception to completion and all the spaces in between. However, all the organization, forethought and planning in the world does not guarantee against curve balls that sometimes come your way despite the best plan. That’s where you need the ability to think on your feet. You must be adaptable and able to pivot on the fly to keep a project on track. This, I feel, comes with practice and experience. When a successful plan b comes to fruition, it’s a great achievement!”

When you’re not at work, where can we find you?

“I like to stay busy! When I shut my laptop, I have a plan in place for how I’m going to spend the rest of my evening. Sometimes, it’s just a relaxing evening to myself or reading a captivating book on the couch. Other times, it’s going out with my boyfriend, seeing friends or trying new things! One way I like to explore new things is by cooking a fresh recipe I never made before.”

Sam traveling with her friends

What do you enjoy cooking, chef?

“I’m Italian so I enjoy making cultural dishes. The most recent recipe I whipped up was sausage stuffed mushrooms – delish.

My whole family enjoys cooking. It is a passion shared between generations and is something I learned to love at an early age. I look forward to bringing this appreciation of cooking into my own home one day where I’ll host lots of dinner parties!”

Homemade stuffed mushrooms
Hand prepared Antipasto charcuterie board for a get together

Do you have any closing advice for someone in marketing?

“Be open to learning new things. Education doesn’t end after college. Continue to learn and grow your skill set through certification courses. Never stop asking questions and build strong relationships with your peers.”

BONUS! Rapid-fire questions with Sam
Sam and her boyfriend Jarred at one of the three weddings she attended in 2023.
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