WWN by Anggie Salazar Ep04: Denise Vitola
Hi Networkers! I'm Anggie, VP of Sales & Marketing at CROING l Creative Agency , a creative agency founded by Alejandra Salazar , and welcome to my newsletter, Women Who Network: Stories of Connection and Success.
I’m super excited to introduce our special guest today: Denise Vitola , She brings over two and a half decades of experience in the marketing industry, having worked with major brands like 宝洁 , 联合利华 , eBay , Puerto Rico Tourism Company , and 拜耳 . Her expertise extends across digital media and influencer marketing, and she is currently leveraging her skills at Linqia , an influencer marketing agency. Denise is passionate about empowering other women in the industry.
Why did we start this newsletter?
As I always say, networking has played a key role in my career, and I have found through many conversations that it is an area where many women still don't feel confident or need a little push to explore further.
At CROING, we are motivated to inspire and empower professional women to feel more confident in networking. By sharing stories and experiences, we can encourage more women to connect and grow together.
I’m confident that Denise’s story will motivate many women to embrace networking with more confidence. ??
Denise’s Dynamic Approach and Tips for Networking
I started our conversation by asking her: How has your networking approach evolved throughout your career?
Denise: I’ve been told many things throughout my life, and networking is one of the truest things you will hear in your career, and it still stands true to this day. It’s about who you know. It’s about the connections you can make, and you can’t be shy.
Get to know somebody first. Get to know and understand them, and when you reach out, have something to say that’s meaningful, so they will want to connect with you. Connections and networking are two-way streets.
I always say the mentor gets as much out of the mentee as they’re getting or giving. So, I started early and was able to land my first few jobs just through the people that I knew, just by those networking relationships that I built.
As if it were a dynamic class, Denise shared some really interesting networking tips at the beginning of our conversation:
Stories of Connection and Success: Denise Vitola’s edition
Anggie:?Can you share a moment in your career where networking played a crucial role?
Denise:?Certainly. I'll talk about when I got to Bayer. I’ve worked in agencies my entire career, and I love the fast-paced environment and creativity. But when I started my own independent marketing strategy consultancy, I was able to connect with a former P&G client of mine who at the time was the president of the Consumer Health Group at Bayer. Through networking and conversations, I was offered projects, and eventually, I was absorbed into the organization. When COVID happened, and it wasn’t a good time for small agencies, I ended up working at Bayer for five years. That was a relationship leveraged through networking.
Anggie:?That’s an incredible story. The pandemic indeed changed a lot about how we network. It became more convenient to meet via Zoom, and the world became smaller, allowing us to connect more easily across distances. How has this shift affected your networking experience?
Denise:?It really did change things. It showed us there are other ways of working, and the world can become smaller, connecting us in new ways. I enjoy face-to-face events, but I also appreciate the accessibility of video conferencing, which has expanded networking opportunities. It’s changed what work and networking look like, and I do most of my meetings via video now.
领英推荐
Hey! Take note of these Networking communities
Denise shares with us the communities she is part of for you to keep in mind.
Denise:? I like to be part of communities that have that entrepreneurial spirit going on.?Luminary?is a women's organization that I am part of, and it was founded by a former American Express executive, Cat Lucio. She's doing some incredible things, and they have space in New York City, but she has events all around the U.S. where she brings women together to help do exactly what we're talking about now—networking, how to lift them up, how to make connections so you can help each other as you're on this entrepreneurial journey or not. I enjoy Luminary.
I also enjoy?WIIM (Women in Influencer Marketing), another great organization. And again, it's one of those organizations that is founded by somebody who has incredible passion, is doing great things, and is bringing people and women together. I work in influencer marketing, so there are other creator networks and groups that I become a part of. It's just interesting how we just naturally continue to help each other in various ways.
Favorite events: Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity
When we kept talking about networking events, I asked her about her favorite ones and the answer was just what I expected.
Denise:?Yeah, so?Cannes?would have been one, but unfortunately, I had an illness in my family that kept me at home this year. But I did go the year prior, and I've been several years to Cannes. The reason I love it so much is not just for the rosé or the Aperol spritzes, and the fact that it's on the French Riviera with beautiful beaches, but truly, the best of the best people go there, and it is a networking event on steroids. I get to see so many people that I know and have met throughout my career. It's a great time to mix and mingle with those people and make new friendships.
As for events I’m looking forward to, I plan to go to?Brandweek in Phoenix, Arizona at the end of September. Again, that's a very tremendous event. It's a multi-day event, and I like that because you get your pace right. You know, when you go to an event, and it's like one or two days, it can feel like a whirlwind. But with multi-day events, you relax a bit more, and you have the opportunity to network and meet new people. So I'm looking forward to that event at the end of September.
Anggie:?I went to Cannes for the first time this year, and it was incredible for networking. But we were also advised by our great friend Gabriela Fenton to attend the speaking sessions, and we found them invaluable for learning and meeting new people. It's important to balance networking with taking advantage of what the event offers in terms of content.
Networking Advice: Be Authentic and Focus on Building Relationships
For women who are hesitant to network or don’t know where to start, Denise advises being authentic and focusing on building relationships rather than just trying to get something from someone. She encourages taking the first step, even if it feels intimidating.
Denise:?I would say, first of all, you have to just do it. I know it can be intimidating, especially if you’re not naturally outgoing or if you’re in a room full of people you don’t know, but you have to push through that discomfort. Start small—maybe with a LinkedIn message or by attending a virtual event where it’s easier to engage in conversations.
Denise: “Remember, networking isn’t just about getting something from someone else; it’s about building relationships. Go into it with the mindset of how you can help others, and you’ll find that people are more willing to help you in return.”
Denise also emphasized the importance of authenticity in networking. She believes that being yourself and letting your personality shine through in interactions helps in building meaningful connections. Denise advises not to be afraid to ask for help when needed, as networking is about support and mutual growth.
Denise advises not to be afraid to ask for help when needed, as networking is about support and mutual growth.
At CROING l Creative Agency , we echo this sentiment and have developed our Referral Program as a powerful networking and business tool. It’s a great way to connect, collaborate, and grow together.
Don’t forget your network is your net worth.
Stay tuned for more inspiring stories in our next edition of Women Who Network: Stories of Connection and Success.
If you want to be part of or propose someone for this space, please email me at [email protected].
Until next time, keep networking and growing!
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