Meet The Team: Eric Wright and Amanda Clark

At The Martin Group, great ideas and results really are a group effort. They come from remarkably talented individuals that we form into equally remarkable teams. Meet Amanda Clark, Senior Brand Manager, and Eric Wright, Account Director, as these team members dive into their backgrounds, professional lives, and sports marketing takeaways, amongst other highlights.

What brought you into the world of marketing?

Amanda: When I was a little girl, I cut up magazines and laid them out in a composition notebook to form a new magazine with the articles and ads I wanted to feature. I thought I’d be a magazine editor someday, but realized that I have more of a business mind than a creative mind. An account service role is perfect for me because I’m involved in every aspect of marketing and advertising – from client service to design and copywriting to strategy to PR and social media. It’s like being an editor of a brand – taking all of the individual pieces and putting them together to create something great.

Eric: For me, it was the Super Bowl. I always loved the commercials as a kid, and as I got older and understood more about the purpose, I wanted to know what drove them. How were they made, why were they placed there, what made consumers attracted to them? I just found it all so intriguing.

What are you passionate about?

Amanda: I get a lot of personal satisfaction in the process of taking a project from an idea, to a well-formulated strategy, to a final product. I particularly love working with clients that improve the lives of their customers. Healthcare is a field that I’m drawn to. I have a lot of respect for those in the medical field and love contributing to their mission of helping others.

Eric: I love having the opportunity to see an end product in market and know that I had some part to play in the development of that campaign. I take great pride in lending insight and strategy to a plan and helping bring it to the consumer on behalf of the client. I am particularly drawn to sports marketing, and love having the opportunity to work with our clients in that space.

What’s playing on your Spotify right now or what’s always in heavy rotation?

Amanda: My Spotify rotation reflects the mood of the day. I like to match my tempo with the tempo of the music I’m listening to. Crazy day? I’m listening to The Used and Pearl Jam. Relaxed day? Bon Iver and O.A.R. are in the mix.

Eric: I am kind of all over the place. I will go from 90s alternative to old school hip-hop to modern country all depending on the mood I’m in. This time of year, it is a heavy Jimmy Buffett/Kenny Chesney influence – good outdoor fire beer vibes.

How do you spend your time outside of work?

Amanda: I graduated from grad school in May and feel like I have so much free time! I’m now in search of a hobby. While I figure that out, I’m spending a lot more time with family, friends, my boyfriend, and my dog. You can usually find me dining out at a restaurant or exploring a new city.

Eric: A lot of sports, outdoor activities, and travelling with my wife and kids. Baseball is big in our family, same with golf and skiing – things we can do to stay active together.

What’s your favorite part about working in the sports vertical?

Amanda: I’ve been working on the Under Armour account for a little over a year, and my favorite part of working in the sports vertical is making an impact on their larger, global objectives. I worked in sports medicine for over five years and was involved in some behind-the-scenes aspects of the sports industry. Being involved in the consumer-facing side has been very rewarding. Plus, Under Armour is such a cool brand! I’ve been a fan of theirs for years.

Eric: Being able to lend my passion for sport and the understanding that I have about both the sport itself and the fans that are often the target market. I really enjoy having the opportunity to help shape the campaigns for the things I love.

What are the biggest challenges about working in the sports vertical?

Amanda: As you can imagine, things move very quickly!

Eric: The ever-changing world of retail marketing and how closely it is tied to sports marketing. You have to consider so many variables in this world and one slight change causes a serious ripple effect; however, that is part of what makes it so intriguing as well.

Did you play any sports growing up?

Amanda: I was a cheerleader for 12 years through middle school, high school, and college. I also “ran track,” but really just did high jump and faked a cramp every time they made me run.

Eric: Golf, baseball, basketball, and mountain biking.

What’s the best career advice you’ve received?

Amanda: “The answer is always no unless you ask.”

Eric: “Good, fast, and cheap – you only get to pick two. Good and Fast is not Cheap, Good and Cheap is not Fast, and Cheap and Fast is not Good.”

Describe your perfect weekend.

Amanda: Slowly wake up at 9 a.m. in a posh hotel in London. Stroll around the city, grab a croissant and a coffee, get lost, have lunch and cocktails by the Thames. Then jump on a plane to Paris for dinner and live music – and more exploring the next day.

Eric: Golf, beach, beer, seafood, repeat.

What song do you know all of the lyrics to?

Amanda: “The Real Slim Shady” by Eminem

Eric: “Cheeseburger in Paradise” by Jimmy Buffett

What is your favorite guilty pleasure song?

Amanda: “Gloria” by Laura Branigan

Eric: Damn, that one is solid. But I will take your “Gloria” and raise you “Love on The Rocks” by Neil Diamond.

Who’s the closest sitcom character to your real life?

Amanda: 60% Monica Geller, 40% Jessica Day

Eric: Tim Taylor from Home Improvement