Interview with Emma Haber, Brand Strategist

Whilst Emma was born and bred in the UK to a Swedish mother and American father, her travels have since taken her to Los Angeles where she now resides in an idyllic cottage (which harkens back to her homeland) in Venice.

Emma – and her business partner Beth Brett – own and operate Blink Creative Group – a full-service communications enterprise focused on lifestyle and hospitality brands. When she’s not working, some places she can be found include the beach, visiting her favorite haunts along Abbot Kinney, Montana and Ocean Avenue in LA’s coveted Westside, horse riding in the hills and enjoying Indie movies and concerts.

Describe a typical day for you?
I tend to get awoken on the earlier side by my two sweet doggies. Following my morning dog walk and coffee, I start work by 8.30 a.m. and the day begins with some essential reading – my go-to newspapers, magazines and blogs – and catching up on emails.

Beyond this, it’s actually hard to describe a typical day as we work on all aspects of “communications” including branding, PR, marketing and events. Beth and I see ourselves as strategic storytellers for brands and our daily tasks range from overseeing the creation of web sites & logos, writing collateral, market research to ensure successful positioning, conceptualizing creative plans, organizing events, interacting with journalists to implement full-scale global public relations campaigns.

As a Libra, balance is important to me so I try and wrap up the work day by 6pm and disconnect as much as possible from technology. I make it a point to do something that’s enriching to me every evening from working out to taking a meditation class, seeing a concert or having a laid-back dinner with friends.

What do you feel are your biggest achievements?
My strong relationships with friends and family are definitely my greatest achievements. I love my family and am lucky enough to have a wonderful and diverse set of friends. Ultimately, human connection is the thing I value the most.
Additionally, I guess I should be proud of myself for sustaining 2 businesses over the years as I never set out to work for myself and it definitely gives me the freedom and flexibility to define my life as I choose to live it. My communications company also allows me the autonomy to work as a creative director for a variety of interesting clients from established brands to start ups embracing the entrepreneurial spirit.

What’s in your handbag?
I’ve been carrying some of my mum’s vintage handbags recently and they are on the smaller side, which helps discipline me to travel light! Some essentials include sunglasses, a bottle of coconut water and, as I’m slightly addicted to Victoria Secret lip-gloss, I usually have a couple on-hand.

What are your ambitions in life?
I would love to end up living on a farm somewhere in California so I can combine my love of animals and nature (something I crave from growing up in the English countryside). California has many beautiful rural areas, which remind me of where I grew up in Hertfordshire.  Ultimately, it’s important to me to be self-aware and content with who I am. An author I love, Henry Miller, summarizes it well:
“Everything we shut our eyes to, everything we run away from, everything we deny, denigrate, or despise, serves to defeat us in the end.”

Where do you see yourself in five years time?
It’s hard for me to say, I like to be open to different opportunities! In terms of work, I see myself having numerous businesses just not sure what shape they will take yet. Hopefully that farm in the countryside I love living in, in Venice so would be content to stay here. I’m always open to children and animals (!) too if the situation presents itself.

What advice would you give a brand strategist?
Always do your best, listen carefully, be honest and authentic (clients always appreciate that), communicate well and try not to take anything personally.  I’m still a firm believer in the power of the pen, so finely tuned writing skills are of utmost importance.

Finally, happiness is…
Happiness is definitely being present in any given moment…and, of course, meaningful relationships, good food, stimulating conversations, laughter and sunny California days!

Emma is up to lots of things including orchestrating global branding and marketing campaigns for a variety of hospitality and lifestyle brands including hotel group Joie De Vivre who recently debuted two Hawaii hotel properties www.joiedevivrehotels.com and launching an innovative new skincare concept called Skin Laundry in Los Angeles before it rolls out nationwide www.skinlaundry.com

Her company web site is www.blinkcreativegroup.com

Photograph ©Emma Haber.