Hope Norman

Director of Client Engagement

Hope

#idefinitelywokeuplikethis

What do you do?

Problem solving is at the core of my job. As a Client Engagement Director, I manage a diverse portfolio of accounts, working to ensure research plans are crafted to fit each unique objective. Once projects kick-off, I stay close to the work, supporting our team and pivoting when necessary. But don't be surprised if you find me moderating a session or two because you can never really take the research out of the girl. 

What's your background?

My “second” mom growing up worked in market research, so I went to groups at a young age giving my opinion about the next Barbie and M&M color. In English class, that’d be called foreshadowing. To me, it was just straight up awesome.

Fast forward a bit, and I thought I was going to be a political journalist. But when 2008 really hit, I realized I needed to get a job right out of college and didn’t want to end up starting a career in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere. So I switched universities and majors to Marketing and Journalism at Miami University. There, I was able to utilize my passion for words in a business-friendly format.

Long story short, I interned at SEEK during the early stages of the digital research methodology creation. I was able to help shape it as it began to take place before switching gears and careers to work at Barefoot Proximity in digital advertising. After a year, I missed hearing the consumer voice, a job opened back up at SEEK, and voila. 

After growing our digital capabilities, I switched to focus on in-person research and have spent time on the road meeting consumers from Los Angeles to London to Mumbai and everywhere in between. I’ve worked in almost every sector, but have expertise in CPG, Food & Bev, Wine & Spirits and Technology.

Favorites?

Favorite Milk Substitute: Macadamia Nut

Favorite Houseplant: My Tineke Ficus (we've seen some things together)

Favorite Quarantine Activity: Gardening, excluding weeding

Favorite Solo-Dance Party Song: Good Time Girl by Sofi Tukker & Charlie Barker

Favorite Memory: Seeing the Moai on Easter Island 

Favorite Instagram Accounts: @livefromsnacktime @catsdoingthings or @kaaviajames

Favorite Song to Play in High School Orchestra: Hallelujah Chorus (I'll pay you $5 if you can correctly guess what instrument I played)

Something you’ve found inspiring?

“I got hot sauce in my bag, swag” - Beyoncé