Advancetrack catches up with Ashlea McElhone, who is looking to leverage her previous time working with us to supercharge our engagement with the accounting community.
What is your current role and responsibilities?
I’ve joined as marketing manager. We have a bunch of amazing people working with Advancetrack to drive awareness of the brand and engage with our communities; but our MD Vipul has been managing this all himself while building and maintaining a business. This as you will know is nearly impossible unless you work 24 hours a day.
My role is to take some of the pressure off of him, and help plan, brief, organise and move things forward when it comes to all things marketing.
What is your background?
Straight after school, I spent eight months in the UK during my gap year, and three months in Wisconsin, US, as a counsellor at a summer camp, teaching 5 - 13 year olds how to do archery, waterskiing and tennis. So I have some experience of two of Advancetrack’s geographies!
When back in Cape Town, I studied PR which I soon realised wasn’t for me. I then moved into project management, which I feel right at home with.
I’ve worked for a variety of different companies in different industries but have grown to love marketing. My favourite thing is seeing a company step into its own, making bold choices, be brave and human, and show (not just tell) how what it offers supports their audience. A company that really lives out its values is the best.
How did you get the role? How have the first few months gone?
Vipul was one of my clients when I worked for a marketing agency a few years ago. He reached out to me towards the end of 2024 to see if I was interested in joining the team. I was looking for something new so the timing worked out.
The first first few months have gone great. It’s so nice starting a new role where you already know most of the team, the service offering and the brand, but have something to offer that will hopefully improve its message and reach.
What does success in your role, and for Advancetrack, look like?
I have a list of things! They are interconnected of course, but it’s always good to break things down to specifics:
· Support the Advancetrack team in working cohesively towards the same goal.
· Build brand awareness and recognition.
· Support the growth of a following in Australia and New Zealand.
· Support company growth.
· Give Vipul time back to focus on the things he’s great at!
