The Marketing Intern at Lighthouse is a key member of our busy Marketing and Ticket Sales teams, providing valuable insights and experience in arts marketing in one of the UK’s largest arts centres.
It’s a six-month, paid internship that in many cases has led directly to full-time employment. As we wish our latest intern, Charly Danby every success in her new role, she took a moment to reflect on her time as, what one colleague described as “the glue that holds the whole operation together.”
Charly, how have you found your time at Lighthouse – was it anything like you expected it to be?
It has been an exciting and busy time! Reflecting back on my initial interview for the Intern job I remember there being a conversation about how crucial to the team the role is, but I don’t think it quite sunk in until I actually started. Being responsible for putting every single show on sale and sending emails to databases of thousands of people was slightly intimidating at first, but once I learned how to do it and practiced, it became easy.
I was also surprised at how many departments there are. This job has been great for getting to know everybody and learning about what they do, and it’s very satisfying when everyone comes together to produce a big project like the pantomime.
What are the main things you have learned in the role?
One of my favourite, but most time-consuming, tasks has been producing the main season brochure. I’ve learned a lot by working with the designer, print house, and distributors to turn the brochure from a lengthy Excel document into a tangible thing that magically arrives through people’s doors.
Before this job I didn’t know ‘paginate’ was a word, and now it has become one I use quite a lot! Despite whatever AI robot metaverse future we might be heading into the brochure remains one of our most effective methods of marketing.
What did your best day at work look like?
There’s been a lot of great days here, including Poole Pride, and working with Chris Jarvis on the pantomime trailer, but I think the most memorable day involved a shark costume!
On my second week in the job the team suggested that to promote The Shark Is Broken we should dress somebody up as a shark and do a photoshoot around Poole. The resulting photos were rather entertaining, and it was definite proof that the more humorous and creative ideas gain the most traction on social media.
Three words to describe the Marketing Intern’s role at Lighthouse?
Multitasking. Coordinating. Creating.
What advice would your share with your successor?
See as many shows as you can! Beyond just being a good night of entertainment it’s super useful to blend in with the customers and to put yourself in their shoes as it’ll help you understand how you can market to them. It’s so useful to know as much as you can about the shows and have an understanding of who the audience is.
How have the last six months changed your approach to work?
With this being my first office job and first marketing role, it’s been a whole new approach for me. I’ve enjoyed taking a collaborative approach with the team here, but also working with external promoters. It’s definitely a team effort to make sure everything gets done.
:: Main photo – Jayne Jackson Photography
That's Charly in there... no, really!
