Marketing Star Of The Week: Staci Corbett, Sr. Marketing Manager

Staci Corbett @Fusion Connect:
I'm actually a mathematician that fell into marketing by chance. My first job out of college was in newspaper advertising, solely obtained via recommendation from a professor. From there, I transitioned into marketing ops and campaign management. These experiences were invaluable in teaching me the backend setup of all the pretty things that face-to-face marketing teams developed.

I then spent a number of years on the agency side of marketing which is unique in itself. Working at an agency is essentially three jobs in one! You have internal metrics, client metrics, and sales metrics to consider simultaneously. This work introduced me to marketing in the tech industry and really shaped the work that I do today. Most recently, I've been focused on channel marketing within telecom.

Staci Corbett @Fusion Connect:
For me, marketing is telling stories based on data. As a numbers girl, I love looking at the data and then making decisions on the next campaign to launch or the next product to highlight. Any time that I can draw in my love of numbers, I do. Marketing allows me to marry my analytical and creative sides.

Staci Corbett @Fusion Connect:
I'm a channel and partner marketing specialist. I love to establish and grow relationships and strategic alliances and determine ways to make both brands grow. My affinity for channel and partner marketing came from my marketing agency work. I was tasked with establishing and growing relationships with some of the world's largest computer hardware and software manufacturers. It was there that I recognized the power of partnership and the ways that brands can achieve mutually beneficial goals.

Staci Corbett @Fusion Connect:
Specifically in the channel, measuring ROI is difficult. Marketing in the channel is centered a lot around relationship building. It's hard to put a number on or attach ROI to the relationship development process. As such, getting buy-in, both internally and externally, is slow because - as we know - numbers talk.

Staci Corbett @Fusion Connect:
Both personally and professionally, I learned that people (and businesses) work better, harder, and more freely when they have perceived freedom and the technology tools to achieve success – but the lack of face-to-face human interaction is tangible. On a personal level, my kids largely taught themselves during the early parts of the pandemic. They found online resources and digital tutorials to augment their online learning environments, and THEY THRIVED! Professionally, I've never worked harder but learned that the lack of physical interaction weighed on my emotional health. We've all had to pivot and find ways to stay engaged with people even when we can't physically touch them.

Staci Corbett @Fusion Connect:
I like to think of myself as a collaborative marketer. I see myself as a member of the sales team as much as I see myself as a member of the marketing team. I seek input from my sales leaders, facilitate regular update calls with them, and integrate them into data review and decision-making.

Staci Corbett @Fusion Connect:
I love podcasts! I have 10 marketing-focused podcasts in rotation at any given time. I also love to check out the various releases from The Channel Company and Channel Futures online to keep myself up to date on all things channel. UC Today is also a great resource for news about unified communications.

Staci Corbett @Fusion Connect:
There's always time. I decided to have kids young. Some decide to delay starting families to get a head start on their careers. Either way is right. There is always time to achieve your goals.

Staci Corbett @Fusion Connect:
I love a brain game! I play word games and Sudoku. They keep me sharp and help me remember that there is always another play.

Staci Corbett @Fusion Connect:
Working. When I'm not working, I'm working! I'm working with the PTA or at a school to tutor math...I'm always working on something. I do love my Peloton and hope to get back to running in 2023.