What is your job title, and what does it mean?
My job title is Content Manager, which essentially means I brainstorm, write, edit, and optimize blog and SEO content on various subjects and platforms. In terms of our clients, companies will hire Flying Cork Media to write blog, social media, or website copy for them. This involves creating and adopting a cohesive voice, tone, and style for the brand while also remaining within industry-standard practices for various platforms.
What is your most memorable commercial/advertisement? Why?
There really are so many, but the most memorable one for me personally is Dumb Ways to Die, the safety PSA from Metro. It’s just a PSA about being safe near trains, but as a kid when this came out I thought it was so funny and catchy. My favorite current ad campaign has to be the Progressive “Becoming Your Parents” campaign. It’s rare that I laugh out loud that much from a commercial, but I also love ad campaigns that aren’t afraid to make fun of their target audience because they feel the furthest away from pandering.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
This is a basic answer… but the writing. Writing has always been my favorite thing to do ever since I was a kid, I always hoped I’d have a job where I get to write for a living like I do now. And I love learning too so the fact that my job combines writing and research is really amazing.
How has Flying Cork helped with your career development?
Prior to working with Flying Cork, my experience with writing and editing was purely in the book publishing industry. Working for Flying Cork has expanded my writing skillset by challenging me to learn and master new styles and formats of writing, editing, and marketing.
What is the best book you have ever read?
I’m an avid reader so that’s an impossible question. For sentimental reasons the Harry Potter series will always be a favorite of mine, it’s what originally got me interested in reading and writing. A few of my favorite authors are Shakespeare, Neil Gaiman, V.E. Schwab, Octavia Butler, Brian K. Vaughan, R.F. Kuang, Erin Morgenstern, Leigh Bardugo… stop me, I’ll just keep going. Don’t ask readers this question unless you want an annoying answer.
Favorite thing to do in Pittsburgh?
I love trying out different restaurants and dessert spots around the city, the Pittsburgh food scene is criminally underrated. Right now my favorite nice meal in the city is at Tako downtown, but I recently tried Pusadee’s Garden in Lawrenceville and I’m already trying to find an excuse to go back.
Dream vacation?
I want to travel everywhere, but my dream vacation would be a trip to Japan. I find the country, art, media, and culture to be so beautiful and fascinating, I would love to get the chance to experience it in person and continue to learn more about it. And Japanese food has always been my favorite food, but I’m also Greek so no one tell that to my Yiayia.
Favorite meal?
Speaking of Japanese food, my favorite meal for years has been chicken/steak hibachi and sushi. If you’re my Yiayia, my favorite food is definitely your Pastitsio.
If you could host a dinner with 3 celebrities, dead or alive, who would you pick?
I’d hate to waste this opportunity on all living celebrities, but I’m also a big Doctor Who fan so I’m almost legally required to use this question to bring together 3 of the past Doctors. Getting to see David Tennant, Matt Smith, and Peter Capaldi sit at a dinner table and talk about Doctor Who would easily be the highlight of my life.
What is a Cork Popping Moment you’ve experienced while working at Flying Cork?
One of my cork-popping moments at Flying Cork was receiving over 10,000 post engagements on a blog post I wrote for the Tomorrow’s World Today website. The post was about French artist Cyrielle Gulacsy, whose artwork is inspired by the study of physics. The artist even reached out on Instagram to thank us, which was really exciting!
