Q&A With Natalie Kuss, VP/Account Services at The Halo Group
Meet Natalie Kuss, VP/Account Services at The Halo Group
Q. How did you get into this business?
A. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to be “when I grew up” (i.e. when I graduated high school) and somehow came across an advertising course. So I studied that, loved it, and knew this was the right career path for me.
Q. If you didn’t work in the marketing world, what would you be doing?
A. I had ideas of law or psychology at high school. Or acting! Random choices, and none of which I would be any good at!
Q. Why did you decide to go into marketing/PR/creative/etc?
A. Account Services allows me to mix my love of consumer behavior, talking to people, working in teams, talking, strategic thinking, and MORE talking. It also means that I am a part of the creative process. I don’t have a creative bone in my body so am in awe of the amazing and talented people who have to think of brilliant ideas everyday!
Q. What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
A. I’ve never had to have a filling (I still don’t like dentists though).
Q. What’s one thing you have to keep stocked in your fridge?
A. Cheese. It’s perfect for any meal, really.
Q. What excites you?
A. Traveling. There’s so much to be seen and different cultures to experience.
Q. What’s your weirdest habit, superstition etc.?
A. I eat things in even numbers. Take cookies for example, if I have one then I really have to have 2, 4, or 6…
Q. Have you ever lived outside of the US?
A. All of my life until now. I’m from the land “down under” where everything can kill you (I’m sure you’ve heard of drop bears… *wink*). I’m from Melbourne, Australia (no, not Sydney).
Q. What’s your favorite sports team?
A. I haven’t picked my New York sports teams to support yet. I’m open for recommendations and also bribes to follow your team. Hit me up with your suggestions & bribes 😉
Q. What’s one thing you can’t live without?
A. My friends.
Q. What’s your favorite book?
A. As a kid I read Superfudge by Judy Blume at least 100 times.
Q. What was your first job?
A. Babysitting. I lasted one day. As soon as I left I told my Mum I was never doing that again. I think I was around 10 years old.
Q. If you could have one superpower, what would you choose?
A. Teleportation, so I could get home to Australia for events and back here quickly without having to endure the 23-hour flight!
Q. What are you into right now?
A. Yoga–I’m trying desperately to master “crow pose.” It’s not as easy as it looks.
Q. If you could invite any three people in history to dinner, who would they be?
A. Walt Disney, Steve Jobs, Whitney Houston
Q. What advice do you have for a client when working with their agency?
A. We are all on the same team. Transparency and open communication is key–and that goes both ways. Everybody is doing the best they can to get the best results.
Q. Why would a client love you or maybe just want to work with you?
A. It’s imperative to bring fun to the workplace. There’s nothing better than a good laugh and a bit of banter in between the stress of all the work. I saw a good quote on Facebook that sums it up: “People do business with people because they choose to, not because they have to. We can always find others doing the same thing or selling the same product, it’s the personal connection that makes the difference” (anon).
Q. Do you have a pet?
A. I have a shar-pei x staffy (I think you refer to staffy’s as pit bulls). Her name is Tilly. She’s back home in Australia living with my Mum. Thanks, Mum! 🙂
