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The Final Entry Deadline is January 24th, 2025   ENTER NOW

Juror Spotlight

Değer Dündar Altınbayrak, Managing Partner & COO, Enüstkat Interactive

Değer Dündar Altınbayrak is a marketing and brand communication professional with 25 years of experience. She began her career working in marketing and corporate branding teams, managing international event marketing operations in various regions worldwide. Since 2010, she has been the Managing Partner & COO of Enüstkat Interactive (euk.), a digital advertising agency recognized with international awards. The agency focuses on digital marketing, video production, UI/UX design, social media management, and creating technology-based marketing experiences. Değer has worked extensively in building and growing brands, focusing on communication strategies, brand awareness, and business development. She has mentored startups and developing businesses, providing guidance on strategic growth, digital marketing and user experience. She is actively involved in projects aimed at fostering inclusivity and diversity, particularly in advancing women’s roles in technology and marketing.

What was your first job?
My first job was as a sales representative at an international bookstore during my university years. This role gave me my first insights into customer relations and the art of understanding customer needs in real time. I learned the importance of crafting concise and effective pitches within the brief moments of customer interaction. I can relate today that this experience taught me that the essence of brand communication and marketing lies in creating memorable moments that resonate with the audience and build a lasting connection to the brand. Most importantly, I discovered that the emotional impression left on a customer after each interaction plays a crucial role in shaping their perception of the brand. At the end of the day, it’s all about creating the authentic perception and understanding for the brand, because that’s what truly sticks.

What led you to your current work?
I began my career in corporate marketing communications, which provided me with a strong foundation in strategic messaging and brand development. Over time, my work in this area sparked a deep interest in creative projects and innovative storytelling. This combination of experience and passion ultimately led me to pursue a partnership in an advertising agency, where I focus on leveraging new technologies and bold ideas to create impactful connections between brands and audiences.

What’s one thing you wish you knew when you first started your career?
One thing I wish I knew when I first started my career is that failure is not the end but an important part of growth. I’ve learned that mistakes are valuable lessons in disguise and embracing them helps you improve and move forward. I would also tell my younger self to actively seek out mentors—people who can guide you, challenge you, and inspire you to grow. I wish I had understood the importance of investing time in self-education early on. When you’re young, the time you dedicate to learning and broadening your skill set pays off exponentially in the long run. Now, I make it a point to mentor young team members and help widen their perspectives. I believe in guiding them to discover their unique talents and strengths, empowering them to grow both personally and professionally.

What’s your dream project?
Supporting women to excel and lead in traditionally male-dominated sectors is something I feel strongly about, and I believe initiatives like this can drive meaningful change in workplaces and communities alike. My dream project would be a corporate social responsibility initiative powered by a global brands consortium, focused on empowering young girls in business and education. I believe creating programs that provide resources and opportunities for women to thrive is a strong way of empowering the next generation to reach their full potential. Throughout my career, I have observed that any program that is meticulously strategized and sustained over the long term always proves to be a significant contribution to society.

The Marketing and Communications landscape is evolving and new positions are being created. Are you currently hiring any new roles?
The MarComm job landscape is indeed evolving rapidly, driven by advancements in technology, especially AI, and the ever-changing dynamics of media consumption. Recently, we’ve been focusing on hiring roles that address these shifts, particularly in areas like AI content strategy, new media expertise, and data analytics. AI is transforming how we create and manage content, so we’re looking for talent that can not only utilize AI tools effectively but also bring a strategic perspective to integrating these technologies into our workflows. Understanding emerging media platforms and formats is equally critical as audiences diversify across digital channels, requiring innovative approaches to storytelling and engagement. Additionally, data analysis has become a cornerstone of decision-making in MarComm. Hiring professionals who can extract insights from complex datasets allows us to refine our strategies and ensure our campaigns are both impactful and measurable. These roles are key to staying ahead in an industry that demands agility, creativity, and precision.

What’s your favorite way of finding and connecting to new talent?
My favorite way of finding and connecting with new talent is through a mix of fostering engagement and staying attuned to industry trends. Internships play a crucial role, providing opportunities for young professionals to demonstrate their skills and potential while gaining practical experience. I share our agency’s work on various platforms and actively ask for feedback or comments. This sparks meaningful conversations with experienced talent and helps identify individuals who bring fresh perspectives and a genuine passion for the craft. Furthermore, I actively follow emerging talents on social media. It’s a great way to discover individuals who are pushing boundaries, experimenting with new ideas, and showcasing their creativity in real-time. Above all, we are looking for bravery and uniqueness—people who are unafraid to challenge conventions and stand out with their innovative thinking. I am always excited to connect with forward-thinking, bold, and passionate professionals.

 

Don’t forget – The Final Entry Deadline is coming up quickly on January 24th, 2025. Enter your best work and get it in front of global leaders like Değer.

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