Starting a new role always comes with a mix of excitement and uncertainty.
You walk in with a set of experiences, ideas, and perspectives, yet the first few weeks often feel like being dropped into the deep end of a pool—and thats even when you are just switching from one agency to another.
But this is more than a new job. Suddenly immersed in a whole new environment, adjusting to new currents, and figuring out how to wlak on land, not just swim in a new ocean.
My transition from Howatson+Company to becoming Chief Marketing Officer at Mumba Cloud has been no exception, and it has been an exhilarating shift in more ways than I anticipated.
Fresh Eyes
The biggest and most immediate change has been the sheer volume of new things to absorb.
For me, I can’t read and learn. My ‘real learning’ begins when I step outside the comfort zone, and have actual stuff to deliver, that forces me to figure out. Try, fail, adapt, try again.
Moving into this industry, and this new role has certainly reinforced that.
Moving from an agency world steeped in brand-building and broad-reach storytelling to the hyper-focused world of bottom-funnel B2B marketing has been quite the shift. Profound. Refreshing.
In brand advertising, success often feels abstract—awareness, consideration, brand perception attributes, or dare I say it ‘shifting culture’ (a particular bugbear of mine, agencies actually delude themselves into thinking they do that, change the world.
Here, at Mumba Cloud, it’s about tangible business outcomes, mostly revolving around, near or quite literally make a fucking sale. Now, if not sooner.
An eye-opening change in perspective. It’s not just about selling a feeling, a vision, an attitude (yuck)—it’s about deeply understanding a product, the problems it solves, and how to articulate its value in a way that makes people take action. And rather than being overwhelming, I’ve found it exhilarating. There’s something incredibly satisfying about working with a clear, measurable line between marketing efforts and business growth. It’s challenged me to rethink what effective marketing really means, and that challenge has been an energizing one.
A Small, Very Likeable Team
One of the most pleasing things about Mumba Cloud has been the team.
Every company talks about having a great team, people are the difference, blah blah blah. On some layers it’s true, ad agencies are really just HR constructs - here’s a whole bunch of people you can rent by the hour, for an agreed fee. A lot of people in ad agencies found this unpleasant to be pointed out - you’re not in the ‘creativity’ business, you’re in the staffing business. You’re renting out the humans.
Back on topic. There’s a difference between corporate rhetoric and genuine culture. From day one, I’ve felt surrounded by interesting, nice, sharp and collaborative people who like what they do. But everyone just gets on and does stuff.
Anthony, our Founder, has a calm, quiet manner that belies his relentless grind. His belief in the product and excitement about solving real problems for frontline workers and HR leaders. He’s been building for ten years, he knows his shit and I’m going to rely on him for his knowledge and deep expertise.
I’m reunited with old and very dear friend Gavin, our CEO. He’s focused on one thing; sales. He cuts through complexity and makes the whole growth challenge a simple, beautiful game of maths.
Beyond leadership, the broader team has been equally impressive. Sales, product, tech, marketing, a sense of shared mission, and a culture of getting things done.
Becoming a Full-Stack Marketer
Another major shift has been stepping fully into the role of a ‘full-stack’ marketer. In previous roles, I’ve worn different hats—sometimes focused on creative and design, other times on brand or campaign strategy. Here, I find myself deeply involved in everything: creative direction, strategic positioning, demand generation, sales enablement, and analytics. Writing brochure copy. Updating the LinkedIn profile page.
I thought I could multi-task, but I’ve learnt I never needed to. Remind me to take a few lessons on prioritisation.
It’s easy to focus on the things you already know, but this role has required me to flex new muscles and refine old ones. There’s no ‘brand team’ or ‘performance team’—it’s all connected. Everything is about customer journeys, business impact, and finding the right ways to tell stories that not only resonate but convert. It’s both daunting and deeply rewarding.
Looking Ahead
The weeks ahead will no doubt bring new challenges and lessons, but if these first few weeks have shown me anything, it’s that I’m exactly where I need to be. The shift from agency to tech, from broad-reach advertising to bottom-funnel B2B marketing, from working on brands to being fully embedded in a business—it’s been a massive change, but one that I’ve embraced wholeheartedly.
The excitement I feel isn’t just about the newness of the role. It’s about the potential. The potential to shape something meaningful. The potential to build a marketing engine that not only drives growth but creates lasting impact. The potential to keep learning, evolving, and pushing myself in ways I hadn’t before.
I came into this role knowing it would be different. I didn’t expect it to be this invigorating.
And I can’t wait to see what comes next.
