Work Experience Volunteering Say at Zen
What’s it like being in a room alone with 8 teenagers?
Anxious? Excited? Overwhelming? Yep… all of that — and more.
That’s exactly how I felt a few days ago when I walked into a room full of A-level students, ready to introduce them to the world of marketing.
Now, calling them “kids” feels wrong (and they’d probably eye-roll me into the next galaxy for that). These were sharp, curious teens from diverse backgrounds — some into computer science and coding, others exploring archaeology or dreaming of pharmaceutical careers. Basically, a room full of Gen Z magic.
Before the session, I did wonder…
Would that 7–8 year age gap really feel different? (Technically, I’m Gen Z too, but still.)
Turns out — yes, it’s very different.
In the best way.
They’re more self-aware, knowledgeable, and confident than I ever was at their age.
As I started walking them through the marketing universe — from what it is, to brand love, roles in the industry, skills, social media, and beyond — I quickly realised: They already knew a lot.
What stood out? Half of them don’t use social media at all.
The other half? Only TikTok. (No Instagram. No Snapchat. Definitely no Facebook.)
Brands, take note. Teens are not where you think they are.
We wrapped the session around 3 fun challenges — and this is where they absolutely shone:
-Challenge 1: Act like a user, review Zen’s online journey — what works, what doesn’t. (Yes, I totally used them as a focus group and gathered real insights)
-Challenge 2: Turn that insight into a big idea — from slogans to social posts and target audience breakdowns. Their creativity? Wild.
One group leaned into the gamer narrative with a “back-humped” gamer powered by strong broadband (with abs, no less).
Another used ChatGPT to shape a “peace of mind/ speed of light” campaign — tying in broadband with calm, light, and mental space.
One group brought in humour with “Study fast, stream faster” — because who just studies anymore? Stream your way to sanity! It was insightful to see how they naturally balanced what teens want and what parents need to hear. Smart, right?
-Challenge 3: They turned their hand-drawn ideas into AI-generated social posts. Prompting GPT, generating captions, visuals — the works. The results? Chef’s kiss.
And you know what?
By the end of it, I realised they taught me more than I taught them. They don’t want to be taught — they want to be challenged, and when you do that, they’ll surprise you every single time.
Teens are not just the future audience — they’re already influencing purchase decisions today.
So if you’re in marketing, broadband, tech — or just want to understand Gen Z+ better — maybe it’s time to pull up a chair, hand over the whiteboard, and just listen.
Guest Speaker at University of Manchester on a MSc Course
Full-circle moments like this are rare—and unforgettable.
Just a few days ago, as I walked through the doors of Alliance Manchester Business School Room 3.002, I couldn’t help but pause and think, “Oh wow, the roles are reversed!”
Just two years ago, I was in those very seats, wide-eyed, taking notes, and hoping to make my mark in digital marketing. Back then, teaching a class felt like a distant dream. If you’d told me that I’d be standing up here as a guest speaker, I would’ve laughed it off—not because I doubted myself, but because, out of my 100-person class, the idea of being chosen to return felt surreal.
Fast forward, and there I was, in front of 80 incredibly talented MSc Digital Marketing students, sharing industry insights on Market Research in the Digital Age and drawing from my experience as a Digital Executive at Zen Internet. I structured the session around key industry essentials:
-Digital Market Research Benefits
-Research Methods Framework
-Competitor Analysis
-Data-driven Decision Making
-Real-world applications and challenges
-Group Activity (loved the participation here)
-Q&A
But what struck me most? Seeing myself in their curious expressions, remembering what it felt like to have big questions about the future. Being on the other side, I knew exactly where they were coming from. I made it my goal to keep things real and relatable—and their feedback at the end made me hopeful that I’d made an impact.
Finally, I collected some data and insights from the session that might interest fellow industry experts looking for fresh insights on market research trends. Let me know if you’d like to connect over this.
Here’s to the next generation of digital marketers—may you all find your way, just as I found mine in those very seats!
BCorp Event at Greater Manchester
Did someone say volunteering? Count me in!
Giving back has always been important to me, so when I had the chance to volunteer at the Greater Manchester B Corp event, supporting local Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprises (VCSEs) I didn’t think twice. As part of Zen Internet, a proud B Corp, I got to use my skills to support a social enterprise—and it was a powerful reminder of why I love what I do.
Turns out March is B Corp Month, and this year’s theme—Generation B—highlights businesses driving meaningful change. And what better way to embody that than by sharing skills and expertise with organizations making a real impact?
I was matched with Elmae Consultancy – Jasmyne Croft, a brilliant organization providing therapeutic training and consultancy for parents, foster carers, children’s home staff, and social care professionals. They had a key question: How can they gauge demand for child psychology courses using social media, PR, and comms?
We explored everything from social listening and community engagement to market research and strategic partnerships. Whether it’s leveraging social media polls, collaborating with influencers, or analyzing Google Trends, the goal remains the same—understand what people need and tailor offerings accordingly.
It was inspiring to exchange ideas and see firsthand how collaboration fuels positive change. Huge shoutout to the Greater Manchester B Corp group for organizing this.
Intro 