Meet Brandy Pan, Marketing Specialist at the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). She didn’t think she would do anything except marketing. However, her path wasn’t exactly a straight line.
Brandy Pan
Marketing Specialist
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
From the beginning of her career, Brandy Pan didn’t think she would do anything except marketing. However, her path wasn’t exactly a straight line. She was a business major in her second year at George Mason University when she quickly realized that the only classes that she really liked were the principles of marketing and consumer marketing. It was marketing’s combination of art and science, right and left-brain that matched Brandy’s creative, strategic, but “I also like numbers” mindset.
Despite the early calling, Brandy’s first job was in business development in B2B telemarketing, B2B “cold call” marketing, as Brandy fondly describes it. What a sales person might find as a standard part of their job, Brandy found a grinding existence. It further reinforced her interest in marketing, and she gradually shifted into marketing management roles where she developed and implemented marketing strategies, including live events, lead gen programs and webinars. Happy at last!
In addition to the hospitality industry, Brandi has spent time honing her craft in non-profits and associations. One of her most favorite brands is Doubletree hotels which really focused on the front-end customer experience. And who doesn’t know their brand signature, the chocolate chip cookie?
What attracted you to the marketing profession? What keeps you inspired?
I am passionate about marketing strategy and promoting products and services. I love that marketing is always evolving, but the fundamentals of success stay the same. Even though we are living in a very different world than when I started in the late ’90;s, the stuff that I learned in college is all utilized a lot. The channels may change, but the fundamentals of success stay the same; I have found that if you step outside the stuff that works and you get into what’s trending, it doesn’t always last. You’d think that direct mail is dead, but the strategies that use to work, still work.
I’m now in a marketing role in a healthcare organization that uses a lot of everything that I’ve done, including marketing plans, content marketing, copywriting, management, events for thousands of attendees and evergreen events, to name a few.
I stay inspired by the fluidity of marketing, but also by the stability of it. On the surface, it looks like social media changed everything, but you still need to think about the audience, the CTA and the offer.
How long have you been a mentor with the Marketing Mentors Network? What made you decide to join?
I’ve been a mentor since 2018. I love it. I love people, I love marketing, I like helping others, which is perfect for mentoring. It’s an opportunity to share my 20+ years of experience across many industries.
I’ve done year-long programs, and I like the length of the Marketing Mentors Network because it gives you an opportunity to go deeper, to build a relationship. I like to catch up with people.
What have you learned from your time in the program? What is your favorite part about being a mentor?
I’ve learned that collaboration is key to growth. There is always someone who can learn from you and your experiences. The best advice is given with a caring heart.
I feel good about helping others grow, and I enjoy giving back for all the help I’ve gotten along the way. I am also learning from collaboration with other mentors in the program.
What would you say to others who are considering becoming a mentor?
It’s a great way to grow, and if you genuinely want to help others grow, it’s a win-win.
What advice do you have for up-and-coming marketers in your field?
Be open and authentic about your needs, so you get the most out of your time with your mentor. The more detailed your questions are, the better the answers will be for your specific situation. Also, there are no dumb questions. Seriously, ask away. That’s the only way you will find out the answers to those questions. A mentor is a “safe place.”