One year on: Our first 12 months at Ultimate

Ever wondered what it’s like to work at a brand and web agency in Manchester? To mark their one-year Ultiversary, we sat down with Nat (Senior Content Marketing Executive) and Beth (Account Manager) to chat about their experience of joining Ultimate, their favourite projects, and what life’s really like inside a fast-paced, people-first digital agency!

Can you both introduce yourselves?

Beth:

Hi, I’m Beth and I’m an Account Manager at Ultimate. I studied Event Management and Business Management at the University of Chester and have a background in branding, event management, and agency life. I’ve always been drawn to fast-paced environments where no two days are the same, which is why agency work feels like the perfect fit. Outside of work, I’m a keen hockey player and enjoy getting creative in the kitchen with a bit of baking.

Nat:

Hello, I’m Nat! I’m the Senior Content Marketing Executive here at Ultimate. I love anything creative – from writing, to design, and video – so you can see how I ended up in a role like this! My background is in media and politics, so I really enjoy the human side of communication and how rhetoric in marketing can be so powerful.

What does your day-to-day typically look like?

Beth:

A day in the life as an account manager starts with a big cup of coffee. From there, I’m usually juggling client relationships and acting as the link between our clients and internal teams, particularly across branding and website projects. I’m regularly briefing the creative and dev teams, helping to present work back to clients and (trying!!!) to make sure everything stays on track. Even though I work from home, the collaboration within our team is amazing – we stay really connected and supportive, which makes a big difference.

Nat:

My day also starts with a huge coffee! Sports Direct mug, anyone? I look after content – blogs, social posts, website copy and emails, both for Ultimate and for our clients. I also dip into account management for some of my favourite brands like Ilford. It’s a real mix, which is one of the things I enjoy most.

What attracted you to Ultimate originally? What were your first impressions?

Beth:

To be totally honest, it was the work-life balance that first caught my attention. Ultimate offered the chance to learn and grow professionally while still having time for a full life. When I looked into the agency, I was impressed by the quality of work, especially in branding and web, and I recognised a number of the clients – which really excited me. I also had a chance to meet the Client Services team before joining and we instantly clicked – everyone was so welcoming and genuine.

Nat:

From the website and socials, Ultimate looked like a really fresh, modern and vibrant place to work. I loved the clients they worked with, too. Ilford especially caught my eye as I have a passion for film photography – so it’s amazing I get to work with them now! My first impressions were that everyone seemed really talented, but also really down to earth, which proved true!

What’s been your favourite project so far?

Beth:

Eeek! 👀 I’m actually working on it right now! From the moment this client came onboard, I knew it would be a firm favourite. It’s a full rebrand and website design, along with some fun campaign work, for a truly brilliant cause. The client is incredibly passionate about what they do, which makes the whole process even more rewarding. Watch this space!

Nat:

Although tough and fast-paced, I felt immense satisfaction when we launched a new brand and website for Wanstor. This was my first time leading a website project, and the whole team really pitched in to help me get it over the line. I still jump on the Wanstor homepage just to have a giddy peek!

What’s your favourite part about your role?

Beth:

For me, there’s nothing better than presenting work to a client and seeing their face light up. Whether we’ve nailed the brief or pushed them out of their comfort zone (for good reason!), it’s so rewarding to hear how excited they are. While I’m not the one necessarily creating the work, I love being the person who gets to share that positive feedback with the team.

Nat:

I adore writing, so that’s probably my favourite part. I even write in my free time for fun! Persuasive rhetoric is something I’ve found really interesting ever since my Media and Politics MA. Whether it’s a politician trying to win voters, or a marketer trying to drive a sale, the language we use really does have the power to change minds. It’s like magic.

What do you like most about working at Ultimate?

Beth:

I really like the balance of being able to work from home, but also having the option to head into the Manchester office when it makes sense. The flexible hours are a big plus – I’m not much of a morning person, so being able to ease into the day (and get through a couple of coffees) works well for me. Even though we’re a remote agency, the support is always there when you need it.

Nat:

As well as getting to work on content – which I adore – I love the flexibility that Ultimate gives. Contrary to Beth, I’ve always been more of an early bird, so starting at 8am really helps my brain to be at its best. Working from home has made a huge difference in both my personal and professional life. It allows me to match my work to my own rhythm, which is such a game changer.

Future roles

We’re always happy to chat to talented people who share our values and passion for great work! Keep an eye on our careers page for future opportunities.