iFoster Futures

Neil Welsh, the Founder & CEO of Silverback Strategies, one of the hottest digital performance marketing firms in the US discusses his career and how he got there. 1:30 Trinity and Neil discuss what exactly a social and digital media marketing firm does. 2:20 Serita and Neil talk about how Silverback gets its data – does Silverback do research. Neil provides examples. 4:00 Trinity asks Neil to explain if the audience knows that all this data is being collected from them off the various social media platforms. 5:50 Trinity asks Neil what do you love most about your career? He expands on working with great people and a great team at Silverback. 6:12 Serita asks Neil about those days that are not great – and what do you not like about your job. He feels that success is defined by finding something you are passionate about and do it every day. 7:30 Serita and Neil talk about his early days, what helped him along his career path: successes and failures. Everything if life should be looked at as an experience. 9:15 Trinity asks Neil about how he decided that digital marketing was the path he wanted to take. 14:10 Trinity follows up with a question to Neil around targeted advertising to the consumer; getting the product in front of them when they are ready to purchase. 17:30 Serita probes a bit deeper asking how the ads follow her across various platforms – retargeting or remarketing. 19:00 Serita asks Neil about what skill sets do you need to do his job – what skills does he look for in people who work at Silverback. Understanding the role and fitting the right skills to match the role; tips for pursuing jobs. 24:00 Neil and Serita talk about overcoming daily challenges and barriers – how do you work through and or around them. Failure is part of the process. Neil, “…this is an essential lesson in life not just in your career.” Neil, “…this is an essential lesson in life not just in your career.” 26:40 Serita and Trinity wrap up the interview with Neil. 27:25 Neil shares a few last thoughts before departing. 28:10 Serita and Trinity close out the program.

Show Notes

In this episode, our hosts Serita Cox and Trinity Cuevas interview Neil Welsh, Founder & CEO of Silverback Strategies. The conversation covers:
  • Silverback as one of the hottest social and digital media marketing firms in the US.
  • What exactly a social and digital media marketing firm does.
  • How does Silverback get its data and performs research. 
  • Collecting data on people from the various social media platforms.
  • Neil expands on working with great people and a great team at Silverback.
  • Success is defined by finding something you are passionate about and do it every day.
  • Everything if life should be looked at as an experience.
  • Targeted advertising to the consumer; getting the product in front of them.
  • Neil shares what skill sets you need to do his job.
  • Final thoughts from Neil: failure is part of the process.

What is iFoster Futures?

iFoster Futures is a series of informal interviews designed to help youth in foster care explore a wide variety of career paths. Interviewees share insights on their career path, lessons and skills that can be achieved and career opportunities that can be pursued on that path.