Emily

SENIOR COPYWRITER

What's on your iPod?

Whatever you want. My iPod holds everything from Otis Redding to George Strait to Guns 'n Roses. If it sounds good, I like it.

What's your most unusual or impressive skill?

I have an uncanny ability to solve Wheel of Fortune puzzles. I have also won awards in hula hoop competitions in multiple states.

What are your favorite books?

I'm right in the middle of the last Harry Potter. The books take you in and keep you going until the very last page.

What made you choose to work at Nestlé Purina?

Knowing that I could work with people who are as passionate about pets as I am was my first draw to working for Nestlé Purina. Yet it was also the chance to work in an environment that encouraged personal growth and provided infinite opportunities that really made me want to be a part of the company.

What motivates you to continue working at Nestlé Purina?

I am motivated to continue working at Nestlé Purina because I know I can keep learning and growing every day. Everyone here encourages you to go further and work harder in order to see you succeed. (Plus, my dog would disown me if I told him he couldn’t come to work with me anymore…)

What has been the most advantageous opportunity provided to you at Nestlé Purina?

I haven’t been with Nestlé Purina for very long, but I’ve already had the chance to work beyond my designated brand and even influence products that haven’t reached the market yet. I work with clients every day and know that my knowledge is important to the development of our brands.

What has been the most rewarding thing about working at Nestlé Purina?

The most rewarding part of working at Nestlé Purina is knowing what I’m doing is such an important part of people’s lives. Everyone is passionate about their pets; I’m part of a company that gives people a multitude of ways to show it.

Describe your greatest experience with Nestlé Purina.

I had only been with Nestlé Purina for about a week when it was time for PetCare Pride Day. I was so impressed with the devotion seen towards volunteering at the APA, building dog beds and cat condos and just playing with the pets for adoption. When a check was given to the APA at the end of the day, and one of their employees was too overwhelmed with joy to thank everyone for contribution, I knew I was working for a great company.

What do you wish you would have known about Nestlé Purina while you were searching for a job?

When I was looking for a job, I wish I knew what CheckMark was like as an ad agency. A lot of people think ad agencies are just about being cool and trendy. CheckMark has that and much more. The people here love what they do. They aren’t overworked, but they do great work. The environment is fun, yet professional. It’s a great place for anyone who loves to be creative, but also have the chance to grow and succeed at the same time.

What is the most gratifying component about your current role?

I know my boss has complete faith in me. He’s there when I need him, but I know he wants me to own my work and feel confident in what I’m doing, too.

What exciting projects have you worked on?

I do everything Pro Plan®. From packaging design, to Yahoo! Banner ads, to Rally to Rescue™ events. It’s exciting to work on such a great brand. I’ve worked on developing concepts for the Target ARF children’s books, which are designed for children to read to pets as a means of gaining confidence in their reading abilities. I love writing, and doing it to benefit kids has been a great experience.

I went on focus groups to listen to consumers'  thoughts on what could be the next new Nestlé Purina PetCare product. Though they’re still far from being created, it was great to hear what big ideas may influence pet care in the future.

What has Nestlé Purina done to help you develop professionally or personally?

I haven’t been with Nestlé Purina for very long, but I already feel a good foundation forming in my career. Plus, I am proud of where I work and I think it shows in my personal life, too. Just this morning a friend emailed me to find out if she’s feeding her dog the right brand of food. It felt good that I’m already a trusted resource for pet care.

How has Nestlé Purina supported your work-life balance?

Since I don’t have my own family yet, bringing my dog to work is important when it comes to work-life balance. It makes me happy to know he isn’t always sitting at home, waiting for me to come back 8 hours after I leave. Instead he gets to join me in the office, visit with all of his canine friends, provide some inspiration and keep me company throughout the day.

What is your favorite thing to do when you are not working?

Other than spending a lot of time spoiling my pets, I love to travel. I tend to get teased for being out of town every weekend. Most of my trips aren’t too exotic, but just heading to Chicago, going on a float trip or taking a quick trip to Mexico keeps me refreshed and ready to go when it’s time to head back to work on Monday!

When you're out on the town, where are we most likely to run into you?

I tend to spend a lot of time close to home. When with friends, you can expect to see me at Hacienda snacking on chips and salsa or up at PJ's in Kirkwood, just hanging out and having fun. If I'm not there, there's a pretty good chance I'm up at Target, stocking up on whatever fun items I need for the week!