With over 14 years’ experience working across multi-channel and multi-disciplinary marketing, Charlie’s career has been shaped by a consistent focus on how data can meaningfully improve customer experience. Joining Medialab marks a new chapter, bringing together that experience with a role centred on helping clients leverage that data in the right ways to transform their communication strategies with their customers.
This blog talks us through a typical day – from early mornings and team alignment to moments of focus and reset – at Medialab for our Head of Customer Data Strategy.
Pre-Morning
It’s an early start balancing two big life changes at once: a new role at Medialab and my son starting school on the very same day. Mornings are a fast-paced juggle of school bags, PE kit, lunches, last-minute questions and getting everyone out of the door on time (preferably with everything we need). Commute time is sacred reading time, usually fiction, a chance to switch gears before diving into data, strategy and conversations.
Morning
Most mornings start with catch-ups, aligning with teams across planning, data, activation and leadership to make sure priorities are clear and work is moving in the same direction. From there, my morning shifts to translating complex customer data challenges into clear, actionable thinking for clients. At Medialab, this means helping clients leverage data in the right ways to transform their communication strategy across all channels and touchpoints – it’s work that bridges strategy and execution. The day is then shaped by client calls and collaborative working sessions, aligning stakeholders, answering questions and keeping things moving.
Lunch
I always try to get outside, come rain or shine, for at least a 15-minute walk, a simple but valuable chance to clear my head and reset before the afternoon. Even a short break makes a big difference.
Afternoon
My afternoons are dedicated to deeper focus work: I work on shaping propositions, refining customer data strategies and building our long-term capability. Alongside this, there’s a constant balance between immediate delivery and the bigger picture of what we’re building at Medialab, with plenty of energy spent connecting dots across teams, disciplines and ideas.
Evening
The day winds down with school pick-up and a full switch back into family mode. If timing (and weather!) allows, that often means a walk by the river feeding the ducks with my son. We’re very lucky to live right by the water, and it’s a favourite way to slow the day down. Evenings are spent catching up on our days, fitting in any final work bits after time together as a family, with home life kept lively by two very naughty Bengal cats, Albus and Errol, who make sure things never get too quiet. It’s a chance to reset, gain perspective and be fully present before the next day begins.
If I wasn’t at Medialab
I’d be writing, spending my days creating stories and building worlds on the page. I am permanently surrounded by books, notebooks and half-finished ideas – so maybe one day I’ll compile them into something fit for publication!
Advice for someone getting into the industry
Be curious about people, behaviour and why things work the way they do. Don’t be afraid of complexity – learning how to simplify it is where the real skill lies. Build a broad foundation: understanding data, creativity, technology and people will always set you apart. And ask questions, seek mentors, and stay open to paths you didn’t originally plan.
