Auckland Live Staff Spotlight: Angela Gourdie

Auckland Live Staff Spotlight: Angela Gourdie

Group Marketing Manager, Angela Gourdie

Published: Thursday 10 October 2024

 

Auckland Live turned 10 earlier this year! As we mark a decade of bringing the city performing arts and events to create memories that last a lifetime, we will be highlighting the journeys of some of our amazing staff behind the curtain who make the magic happen.

This week, we meet Angela Gourdie.

Introduce yourself and what you do. 
Kia ora, I’m Ange and I am the Group Marketing Manager for Auckland Live, Auckland Conventions and Economic Development for Tātaki Auckland Unlimited

  

How did you become the Group Marketing Manager of Auckland Life? 
I originally started as a Marketing Executive in the Programming Team and had the opportunity to step up a few years later to the role of Marketing Manager where I ran all the major campaigns.  Over this time, I worked on every show at Auckland Live, ranging from international seasons such as Disney’s Aladdin – The Musical, The Book of Mormon, Nederlands Dans Theater through to working with local companies and artists.  Eventually, I took on the role of Head of Marketing and Ticketing for Auckland Live which evolved to include Auckland Conventions and more recently expanded to Economic Development.    

I’ve been at Auckland Live for a while (before it was even known as Auckland Live!) but the journey has been a continual learning curve. One of the most valuable things I have learned is the importance of being surrounded by an amazing team of people who are all committed to the mahi of Auckland Live, and to our audiences.   

  

Before Auckland Live, were you working in marketing for the performing arts? 
Not just marketing! I also did production work organising all the New Zealand Warriors’ pre-game entertainment for Inside Out Productions. However, I have mainly worked in the performing arts space doing marketing, ticketing and publicity for shows including Auckland Arts Festival, Black Grace Dance Company and numerous companies as a contractor doing marketing campaigns. 

I’ve done a bit of everything, and it’s great to be able to bring all the experience to my current position. 

  

What attributes do you think are important for a great Marketing Manager in the performing arts? 
The ability to be incredibly nimble, having a real appreciation and love of the arts, and audiences. It’s so important for any marketing person to have a real passion for what they do and see the value that the arts and culture bring to our communities. I’ve loved seeing the reaction of people who have been moved and changed through the power of the arts and being able to be a small part of that community is truly rewarding.   

 

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received in terms of your role? 
Trust your instincts, know your product, know your team and know the market. 

Build really personal relationships of trust with everyone. Allow an environment where people can trust you to give something a go, see where it lands and be okay with being in an unknown place. If you think something’s going wrong, trust that. Be prepared to review, pivot, and make decisions that can change the way things turnout.   

  

What would you say to someone who wants to get into marketing for the performing arts? 
Understand you must be a multi-tasker. You can’t just have one skill set, you need to be creative and have an eye for detail. Be prepared to be a constant learner, to change and develop.  Bring your passion, creativity, and ideas, but understand this world is very fast-paced environment with hard deadlines – the show must go on. Also, most of the time you’ll never meet a “star”, the only star you’ll meet is the one on your emoji keyboard!  

  

Do you have anything else that you’d like to add? 
Nobody achieves anything without the people around them. I haven’t gotten to where I am without people believing in me and having fantastic people supporting me from the wider whānau at Auckland Live and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited and beyond. 

Auckland Live is a very powerful, strong collective of people who value the arts and culture, and live performance.  We’re driven, we work really hard, love what we do, and care about each other.  More than anything we truly want to help people create memories that last a lifetime.   

Shows Angela is looking forward to


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