Onalytica's interview with WoW CEO Marija Butkovic
HOW DID YOU GET TO BECOME AN EXPERT IN YOUR KEY TOPICS?
Prior to working in the tech industry, I was a corporate lawyer and consultant for legal trade journals (I hold a Master of Laws degree from Faculty of Law, University of Rijeka, Croatia, and was also awarded a diploma from the Startup Institute in London). After moving to London in 2014 I decided not to continue my career in law, and focus on world of technology instead. I had to completely re-invent myself and spent whole year learning about marketing, social media, PR, as well as wearable and fashion technology. From 2014-2019 I was a co-founder of Kisha Smart Umbrella, world’s first smart umbrella, and also started Women of Wearables – first global organisation that supports and connects women and diverse groups in wearable tech, fashion tech, health tech and IoT. In less than three years WoW became a global movement with 20k+ members in 30+ countries. I also collaborate with startup incubators and accelerators in London and globally as mentor and advisor (topics include digital marketing, social media, PR, business and product launch and strategy, branding, etc.) and run workshops and focus groups on those topics.
WHAT TOPIC AREAS ARE YOU MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT?
Anything related to innovation and diversity – changing the status quo within the industry. I’m also very passionate about helping, educating and mentoring under represented groups, especially women, in tech and business. Also digital marketing, social media and PR – I love to teach other freelancers and businesses how to bootstrap their marketing on a budget, to achieve sustainable organic growth. My signature expert activity – digital marketing and social media workshops – are for small business owners and startups with an aim of improving brand awareness, equipping them with most important skills they need to run their own marketing and social media and / or getting more traffic and sales from their marketing efforts.
WHICH INFLUENCERS INFLUENCE YOU WITHIN THOSE KEY TOPICS?
I love Simone Giertz (inventor) and Iris Van Herpen (fashion tech designer).
OUTSIDE OF YOUR KEY TOPICS WHO ELSE INFLUENCES YOU ?
I love Iris Apfel (fashion) and Casey Neistat (YouTuber).
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR OFFLINE INFLUENCE?
Public speaking, blogging, education, organising events and networking, consulting with clients.
WHAT ARE YOUR PASSIONS OUTSIDE OF WORK?
Travelling, my 8 month old baby, reading books.
IF A BRAND WANTED TO WORK WITH YOU, WHAT OFFLINE / ONLINE ACTIVITIES WOULD YOU BE MOST INTERESTED IN?
I’d be interested in product innovation, speaking opportunities, podcasts, interviews, webinars, research/whitepaper, and twitter chats.
WHAT BRANDS HAVE YOU WORKED WITH
WIRED, London College of Fashion, Startup Weekend, Akamai, Seedcamp, AXA PPP, The Telegraph, Royal Academy of Engineering and many more.
WHICH NON-PAID ACTIVITIES WOULD YOU BE KEEN TO TAKE PART IN IF THE OPPORTUNITY RAISED YOUR PROFILE OR DELIVERED VALUE TO YOUR AUDIENCE?
I would be keen to provide a quote for content or news article, share / create a social post, or participate in a podcast, webinar or online chat (e.g. Twitter chat, Crowdchat).
WHAT WOULD BE THE BEST WAY FOR A BRAND TO CONTACT YOU?
Send me a message through my website, or connect with me on Twitter or LinkedIn.