Annemarie Cross is a brand and communication strategist from Communicate Your Brand. She’s often referred to as “The Podcasting Queen” due to her expertise and involvement in podcasting, since 2008.
Combining her love of technology, and in particular – podcasting technologies – Annemarie has built a business, a global client base and support team by harnessing the power of social media and cutting-edge online technologies, and now empowers other businesses to do the same. Annemarie, her husband Garry and children Danielle, Mathew and Nicole, have lived in the Casey area for the last 29 years.
Describe a typical work week:
Typically, I spend time mapping out quarterly brand and digital brand and communication strategies for clients; coach and mentor clients in their digital and podcasting marketing strategies; record, mix and promote podcast content; write copy; right through to overseeing visibility strategies for my podcast network clients. As you can see, a lot of my work is in the digital marketing space – which is an area I love.
What are your impressions of the Casey Cardinia region from a business perspective?
The rapid growth across both the Casey and Cardinia regions is very exciting for businesses as people moving to the area leads to increased business opportunities.
I think of real importance for businesses in the Casey and Cardinia area is to ensure they join a local network, and the Casey Cardinia Business Group (CCBG) to avoid falling into the trap of working in isolation. Being connected with other like-minded people and businesses is important, as it not only enables you to establish strong collegial relationships, but also opportunities for mutually beneficial collaborations.
Biggest career success to date:
One of the most recent things I’m very excited about is being recognised for my online activity by Microsoft Australia and invited to become one of their Brand Ambassadors and VIP Influencers.
With their support means that I’ll be able to impact and make a difference in the lives of many more people than I could possibly do on my own. It could not have come at a better time, especially with the upcoming launch of the Health and Wellness Podcast Network, my latest project.
What has been your biggest career failure to date?
A business venture that dissolved after nearly two years of hard work to establish our name, product offering, happy clients and a promising pipeline of business.
What did you learn from that experience?
Set clear boundaries, expectations and guidelines for everyone involved. Sadly, we didn’t document clear guidelines in one key area of the business, which when looking back, I can see was the beginning of the end.
If you had to invite five people to a business luncheon, who would they be and why?
The following women all have qualities that I aspire to:
Oprah Winfrey and Beyonc
Arianna Huffington: her innovation and determination to disrupt tradition within her industry, which has seen the creation of her online media empire – Huffington Post.
Emma Isaacs – CEO of Business Chicks: her passion, drive and determination, which has enabled her to grow Business Chicks into the largest community for women in Australia.
The fifth person would be my mother. She is 97 this month and has played an incredibly influential role in my life. I would not be the woman I am today, were it not for her unconditional love and support.
How do you relax away from work?
Getting out into the forest with my camera. I’ve only just discovered my passion for photography and any opportunity I can get out and capture wildlife, landscapes or sunsets – I’m there.
Tell us something most people wouldn’t know about you?
My first business venture was at the age of 10. It was back in New Zealand, when we’d just moved to a small farm and I wanted a horse.
My parents instilled in me from a young age that if I wanted something, I needed to work for it. So, my first entrepreneur pursuit was to catch and sell tadpoles (from my neighbour’s pond) from a stall I’d set up the end of our driveway. 1c for small tadpoles and 2c for the larger ones. Needless to say my supplies ran out quickly, however it was the start of my entrepreneurial pursuits!
What is your business mantra?
“It’s all good!”
I truly believe there is a solution to every issue, and when we have the right mindset – especially in the midst of a crisis, we WILL find a way through.
