Liftoff Employee Spotlight: Judy Connolly, Marketing Manager in London, UK
Judy Connolly joined Liftoff’s Marketing team in London over two years ago. Since then, Judy has led and executed numerous Marketing efforts across EMEA. More recently, she is growing her skills by adapting to virtual marketing events like the Mobile Heroes Lunch Club. You can catch Judy enjoying a nice morning run or a refreshing swim outside London on her days relaxing.
Tell us a little about yourself and how you ended up at Liftoff?
I would describe myself as a wanderer. After university, I studied Journalism and Drama and worked at a radio station in Dublin; however, I was eager for some adventure and interested in being a travel writer. I decided to give up my radio career and spent my summer working in Central America. Needless to say, when the summer ended, I did not return to Ireland. Instead, I fell in love with Wellington, New Zealand, and stayed for five years working on the marketing team at phil&teds and Mountain Buggy (fancy baby stroller companies). I later moved to Melbourne to work at a digital marketing agency before slowly making my way back to Europe with my trusty old backpack and a souvenir I picked up along the way (my husband, Tim). I’ve now been living in London and working in AdTech for nearly five years. I was lucky enough to cross paths with our VP of International, Phil Gontier, who proposed I apply for a new role opening up at Liftoff—and the rest is history!
How has Liftoff helped you in your career development?
I was first hired at Liftoff to execute and manage all our event marketing efforts in EMEA, which I had previously done at AdColony. In the last year, my role has expanded to become a more rounded marketing manager—and with the absence of in-person events, this change could not have come at a better time. Nowadays, you will find me running webinars, working behind the scenes on our Mobile Heroes Lunch Clubs, and developing new initiatives to keep our clients and prospects engaged. Being a part of Liftoff’s Marketing team has allowed me to broaden my skills and take chances.
What’s the coolest thing about your job?
Traveling the world and meeting new people is the coolest – and I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss it. I was lucky enough to run events in some beautiful places, including Saint Petersburg, Berlin, Tel Aviv, Barcelona, Paris, Portugal, and Moscow. Of course, my favorite would have to be organizing our Mobile Heroes Summit in Lake Como!
Can you share what self-care habits help you be the best version of yourself?
Since COVID, mental health has been of rising importance. I’ve made a routine for myself that includes morning runs on the Regents Canal and the occasional cold water swims outside London. Swimming in cold water teaches me resilience and to breathe through the challenges that life throws my way.
Where is your favorite place to eat?
My favorite place to eat is on a street called Jalan Alor in Kuala Lumpur. You can spend a whole evening stopping at hawker stalls – just eating your way down the road. It is a vibrant cultural mash-up of deliciousness!
What’s your favorite quote?
“When a person can no longer laugh at himself, it is time for others to laugh at him.”