Meet the team: Katie

Discover the individuals behind SampsonMay and their experiences through our ‘Meet the Team’ series. Katie Smith is our superstar Senior Account Director who manages key client relationships, develops new opportunities and continues to evolve our agency offer across brand and comms.

What was your background before joining S—M?

After doing an Art and Design Foundation Diploma, I studied Product Design at Ravensbourne University, and after a short summer internship I knew I wanted to work in design but not necessarily as a designer. I joined the Graduate Programme at Major Players, recruiting for brand and design agencies (specifically Client Services and Junior Designers) and it was here that my creative world opened up!

After a brief detour in recruitment, I joined a small design and comms agency as an Account Manager – there were only 10 people in the agency, and only two account handlers so I was running projects from the very outset – we worked on a lot of environmental branding which was really exciting. Since then, I’ve been more focused on the strategic side of account handling, guiding and advising our clients through whatever project we’re helping them with.

What excites you about your role?

We’re helping our clients tackle more and more complex brand, communication and digital challenges. I find this really exciting – solving difficult challenges and really understanding a client’s business and objectives is what captured my imagination about a career in Account Management. Our digital offer is also growing and I’m excited to see the work that the team will be doing.

“Helping clients tackle more and more complex brand, communication and digital challenges. I find this really exciting – solving difficult challenges and really understanding a client’s business and objectives”

What’s your passion outside of work?

I’ve never met a craft I didn’t like, but my biggest passion is sewing and I’ve made a lot of my own clothes. I also bought a house with a garden, which has resulted in a new passion for gardening and a rather necessary interest in DIY – I much prefer the gardening! I’ve been growing fruit, vegetables and flowers (with varying success…) since we moved in a couple of years ago.

What’s your favourite destination for a quick city break?

Anywhere in Europe really, but I really love UK cities – Liverpool and Edinburgh are my favourites. They both felt like such welcoming, vibrant and creative cities. In Liverpool I’d recommend the Museum of Liverpool, and a river tour on their famous Dazzle Ferry. In Edinburgh I’d recommend climbing the steps to the roof of St. Giles cathedral and then to the Devils Advocate for whisky from their incredibly extensive menu!

Which is your ‘go-to’ album if you’d been asked to put something on in the studio?

I’m not sure my secret love of early 2000’s pop-punk and metal would go down so well so I’d probably say some early Destiny’s Child – The Writing’s On The Wall – that one is a real crowd pleaser. Or Self Esteem Prioritise Pleasure – I just love her style and attitude. But, if we needed to really concentrate then something like Max Richter Voices or Grand Brothers Dilation. Sorry I know you said only one but music is too good!

*Some of Katie's favourite tracks make up part of our StudioMix playlist on Spotify below.

What’s your favourite piece of art (or book) and why?

My favourite book, or at least the one I end up recommending the most, is actually a series called Rivers of London. They’re light hearted and easy to read, which is why I love them. They centre around an officer in the Metropolitan Police; who, after an encounter with a ghost, is recruited to a small division of the Met Police who specialise in supernatural and magical crimes. It’s like a grown up Harry Potter, with lots of little London legends, urban myths and facts.

An area of London you love to visit to get inspiration?

Crystal Palace – my little home triangle is full of artists, furniture makers, antiques dealers and musicians that just walking along the high street feels inspiring! It also has such a rich creative history. The Crystal Palace itself was cutting edge, the Victorian dinosaurs show real imagination(!) and the Rusty Laptop music stage is hosting musicians once again – which we can often hear from our house! Plus, there’s a pub every 100 meters or so, and most of us have our best ideas there.