A Glimpse into the Creative World: My Day with Notch's Content & Brand Studio

It was a typical morning in my Digital Marketing Seminar class, part of the Marketing Management course at George Brown College. Like many of our classes, it was conducted virtually, but the energy in the room that day was different. We were all excited because we had a special session lined up with Lindsey and Hannah, two experts from Notch, a creative content and brand studio that I had only heard great things about. Notch wasn’t just another agency churning out social media posts—they were known for their diverse work across multiple platforms, from TV broadcasts to live event coverage. I knew this was going to be an insightful session, and it didn’t disappoint.

Meeting Lindsey and Hannah: Behind the Scenes of Notch

We met Lindsey and Hannah through our screens, and they immediately captivated us with their passion for storytelling and creativity. As they began to speak about Notch, I quickly realized that their work wasn’t limited to just social content or one specific medium. Notch handles everything—from television broadcasts to website design, live event coverage, and print ads. Their team, made up of just producers and graphic designers, operates across many types of media, which was a revelation to me. It wasn’t just about creating content—it was about delivering a seamless experience for the audience, no matter where they were consuming it. Lindsey and Hannah walked us through their process of working with clients, guiding them from the initial creative concept to post-production. What stood out was how involved they were in every single step, ensuring that every detail was executed perfectly, whether for a social media campaign or a live event. They shared stories of working under pressure during live event broadcasts, where everything needs to run like clockwork. It was clear that being adaptable and quick on your feet were essential skills in their world—something that made me reflect on how important it is to stay flexible in our fast-paced industry. Adding to the inspiration, Hannah Elston shared her own career journey, illustrating how she pivoted from writing to production, highlighting her adaptability and willingness to embrace new challenges in the ever-evolving media landscape. Her story is a testament to the power of following your passion and remaining open to new opportunities, showing us that career paths can take unexpected yet rewarding turns.

Pitching Initiatives for Haribo: Our Case Study Activity

But the day wasn’t just about listening. After Lindsey and Hannah's presentation, we were assigned a case study activity focused on Haribo, the famous gummy candy brand. The task was to pitch creative initiatives for Haribo’s product launch, and my group wasted no time brainstorming ideas.

We split our pitch into three phases: pre-launch, during the event, and post-launch. For the pre-launch phase, we decided to create teasers that would build anticipation, including AR (augmented reality) activations where users could engage with Haribo in a fun and interactive way before the product even hit the shelves. We envisioned this as a playful and engaging way to connect with the audience, giving them a sneak peek of what was to come.

During the launch, we pitched an exciting influencer collaboration. Our idea? Haribo-themed alcohol recipes, where influencers could create unique cocktails using Haribo gummies. We felt this would resonate with a younger audience who loves trying out new and quirky ideas, and the recipes could easily go viral on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. The idea was not only playful but also had the potential to reach a broad audience across different social media channels.

Finally, for the post-launch phase, we suggested creating a highlight reel that captured the best moments from the launch event—something visually striking that could be shared across Haribo’s digital platforms. This would keep the momentum going and allow audiences who missed the live event to catch up on the action.

Lessons Learned and Personal Reflection

This entire experience—both the presentation from Lindsey and Hannah and the Haribo case study—gave me a lot to think about. From Lindsey and Hannah, I learned just how critical it is to be adaptable and open to new challenges. Notch’s ability to pivot between projects, manage multiple platforms, and deliver high-quality content consistently made me realize the importance of being versatile in the marketing and content creation space.

Collaboration also stood out to me. Seeing how Notch’s small but specialized team worked so well together, despite the challenges that come with juggling various media, was something I deeply admired. It made me reflect on how important it is to be a good team player, whether working in a small team or managing bigger projects. I’ve always enjoyed working in groups, but this reinforced how critical effective communication and teamwork are in delivering successful campaigns.

The Haribo case study activity was particularly eye-opening. It allowed me to stretch my creative muscles and work through the complexities of a real-world marketing challenge. Coming up with innovative ideas for pre-launch teasers, AR activation, influencer collaborations, and post-launch highlights was both fun and rewarding. More importantly, it taught me how vital it is to think beyond just one phase of a campaign. A successful marketing initiative isn’t just about the launch; it’s about the build-up and the follow-through, too.

Impact on My Career Path

This seminar made me rethink my own career trajectory in marketing. Before, I was mainly focused on digital marketing and content creation, but now I’m seeing the value of expanding my skill set into different media forms, just like Notch. From live events to influencer collaborations and interactive digital experiences, the landscape of marketing is broad and evolving rapidly. If I want to make a significant impact in this industry, I need to be able to move seamlessly between these different forms of content.

I also realized how important it is to stay curious and open to learning new things. Lindsey and Hannah’s stories of live event production and the precision it requires sparked something in me. It’s one thing to create content, but another to execute it flawlessly in high-pressure situations. That’s something I want to be able to do.

In conclusion, the Digital Marketing Seminar at George Brown College, with Lindsey and Hannah from Notch, was an incredibly enriching experience. It gave me a clearer understanding of the vast opportunities within the content and marketing industry and reaffirmed the importance of versatility, collaboration, and creativity in shaping successful marketing campaigns. As I move forward in my career, I’m excited to apply these lessons and continue growing in this dynamic field