- Are there endless supplies of free DVDs in the office?
There are and it's great - but it is still better to see the films in the cinema.
- What are the other perks of the job?
We get to travel to LA and see films before anyone else, meet some of the most interesting people around and attend awards ceremonies including the Brits, Baftas and Cannes. And we have lots of fun bringing movies to life in our marketing activity.
- How do you come up with new marketing ideas?
We have a semi-formal process that is a combination of approaches. We consider a film's assets, themes and characteristics and then crystallise them down to a marketing platform that is used to underpin all channels and ideas. Vizeum, our communications planning agency, is heavily involved as early as possible.
- How would you describe the marketing team?
Dynamic, vibrant and constantly challenging how things are done.
- What is the main marketing challenge you face?
How to flout conventional wisdom. The good news is that Fox is on the front foot when it comes to putting the consumer at the heart of its marketing, rather than the product, which is the industry norm.
- Does the marketing team socialise outside of office hours?
We do, so frequently that one of my marketing managers has been offered a residency in Club 49, another lives in a pub and The Soho Hotel has become an extension of our office.
- What are the hours like?
It's 24/7, but in a good way - there is always so much going on that it becomes your life.
- What's it like for training and career progression?
While it is hard to get in, once you do, if you work hard and prove yourself, the opportunities are endless. Fox has a very low staff turnover.
- Are there any downsides?
The team's performance is measured ultimately by the box-office returns, so Friday nights are tense.
- Is there anything else particularly interesting about your office?
Marilyn Monroe once got changed in the second-floor boardroom.
FACT FILE
- Fox has about 105 employees, of whom three are marketing managers and three promotional managers. 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment employs about six marketing managers.
- Ian George is managing director; Elizabeth Kesses is marketing director.
- 20th Century Fox Film Corporation is based at 31 Soho Square, London W1V 6AP.