Welcome back to our 'Spotlight' series where we shine the light on the Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism industries and their inspiring figures! Today, our guests are Virgin Hotels Edinburgh >>> Marketing Executive, Jack Baird and Hostess Abi - our Life of the Party.
If you thought that hotel work is limited to Front of House, Housekeeping and Chef roles, you thought wrong! Jack and Abi are here to show you why there’s so much more to it! Keep on reading to find out what it is. 😊
Jack Baird – Marketing Executive in Edinburgh
- Can you introduce yourself?
Hey, what’s happening? I’m Jack! I’m 23, I work as the Marketing Executive for Virgin Hotels Edinburgh. I grew up in Ayr, studied in Glasgow and have just recently made the move to Edinburgh which has been such a fun experience.
I’ve always had a massive interest in fashion and music from an early age. I found it really interesting how both could lean into each other to create unique collaborations – this is what led me to pursue a career in marketing. Aside from marketing, fashion, and music (gigs, festivals), I enjoy going to football matches, reading comics, and having a drink with friends on my weekends.
- Where did you start your career at?
After I left the City of Glasgow College and completed my Marketing course, I was offered a Business & Admin apprenticeship with the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce. I think this was the perfect place to begin my career. The role immersed me into the world of business and the community surrounding it, I made valuable connections and learned, from an operations perspective, how businesses small to large were managed. I was also allowed to take on more responsibility by putting my marketing skills to the test for the first time in a real working environment – this was invaluable to my professional development!
- What motivates you to wake up and go to work?
My goal has always been to be as successful as possible and to be the best at what I do. I want to be at the forefront of momentum, ideas, and success in my role. Most importantly, I want to have a fun time doing it and I genuinely do – I love my job at Virgin Hotels.
- What do you do in your current role?
My role is very diverse which I love! I’m always up to something different which makes things interesting.
- I create and schedule content for three social media accounts with large followings (Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, Commons Club, and Eve).
- I design on-brand digital and print marketing materials for external and internal circumstances (Event flyers, Magazine ads, Social Media assets)
- I work alongside the Regional Director of Marketing and contribute to the ideation and execution of quarterly action plans for Rooms and Food & Beverage.
- I work with Virgin Hotels’ brand PR agency to assist in the ideation and execution of our PR strategy.
- I create and schedule weekly and monthly email campaigns.
- I work alongside the Regional Director of Marketing in the creation, marketing, and coordination of on-site events.
- What would you do (career-wise) if you were not in this current job?
During the covid-19 pandemic and lockdown, I started my own marketing agency with my friend Ross from college. We set up to help start-ups and small businesses boost their digital visibility, generate leads, increase profits, and stamp authority within their service/product market early on from the get-go. If I wasn’t in this current job, I think I would most likely take Special Sauce full-time.
Han Solo from Star Wars, obviously.
- What advice would you give your younger self?
One thing I was always very conscious of was that I didn’t have a degree and that I wouldn’t be as successful without one. The one bit of advice I would give myself now is just to keep pushing on, working hard and not pay too much attention to how others are progressing in their careers. Everyone has a different path and there is no right or wrong way to success or your dream job, although I do believe that if you’re willing to put the hard work, time and effort into your professional and personal development and try things that will make you stand just that bit more than anyone else (in my case, it was starting my business), that you will end up exactly where you should be.
- How do you see the hospitality industry going further/changing?
I think there are many key trends floating around now which are going to continue to affect our industry. For example, health & well-being, sustainability, smart technology (AI) and influencer marketing are all examples of trends that will continue to develop and change the way hotels not only operate but communicate with their guests too.
- Why should people consider working in the hospitality/Tourism sector?
For me, I get to be creative which I love. There’s always a new event, service, or experience that we are developing at Virgin Hotels which gives me the scope to think up new ways of making things enjoyable and work well for our guests - when it pays off, I find it really rewarding! Also, the industry is ever-changing and, this keeps things new and fresh all the time which means you’ll always be learning and developing. In my opinion, I think the best part of working in this industry is just how sociable it is, I always find it fun to meet new connections at events!
Abi Weigold - TheHostess – our Life of the Party in Edinburgh.
- Can you introduce yourself?
Hey loves! Abi The Hostess here aka The Life Of The Party! I’m the social butterfly of Virgin Hotels, an empowered woman that wears many hats.
- Where did you start your career at?
My career with Virgin started with Virgin Voyages. I was headline vocalist and host of the shop where the persona Abi The Hostess was born. Virgin was a breath of fresh air to the cruise line, causing positive disruption to a traditional industry. I loved that the role gave me a lot of creative freedom and the ethics of celebrating your authentic self. I have now joined Virgin Hotels to ensure our guests are feeling that Virgin unique experience.
- What motivates you to wake up and go to work?
Each day is different, high paced and I love having an impact on our guests experience.
- What do you do in your current role?
As The Hostess, I work with many different departments. Each day I’ll help with VIP reservations, entertainment management, events organisation, creating content for marketing, performing and hosting our guests. Each day is varied and busy.
- What would you do (career-wise) if you were not in this current job?
As a child my answer was always a ‘nun’! Although this was much inspired from the film Sister Act. Now, I only ask that I have some creative freedom and make a difference to someone’s day by creating a memory or great connection.
My brother. He is the most intelligent and talented person I know. Yet, he is grounded, passionate about his friends and family whilst being motivated in his work that is based on fresh ideas and creativity.
- What advice would you give your younger self?
Be kind, Be honest, Be confident.
- How do you see the hospitality industry going further/changing?
Anyone can create a beautiful hotel. What makes a difference is thinking about our guests journey, how can we make a real connection, how can we surprise and delight, how can we create small moments that delight our guests and keep us unique.
- Why should people consider working in the hospitality/Tourism sector?
If you are a people person, this industry is where your personality can thrive.
- Tell us three things about you that no-one knows?
I have a Binney Award – Bravest person in the UK.
I used to be underconfident, self conscious and couldn’t host a BBQ! But then I took control to change my life.
When at home I love to unwind with Jurassic Park & Scrabble – wild…