#BehindtheSelfie with... Luke Goller, managing partner at Arc Interactive
1. Where do you live, work and play?
I live in Morningside, work in Sandton and hang out anywhere around Joburg.
2. What’s your claim to fame?
I can outlast anyone at our company socials.
3. Describe your career so far.
I worked in traditional agencies on above-the-line campaigns and TVCs, about 9 years ago I made the full move into digital, and started focusing on the emerging mobile app space in 2012. I was a little early on that I think, as not many brands were ready to commit to apps yet.
4. Tell us a few of your favourite things.
Without a doubt, my kids and my family – I love being the “cool” uncle to my nephews.
I also love video games. It’s my ultimate escape and unwind time. It allows time for me to do a lot of reflection, and it’s also the only time I can sit still for more than 30 minutes.
Another lesser-known fact about me is that I’m a total documentary nerd. However, one documentary is usually split up into 15- to 30-minute intervals, because of my aforementioned inability to sit still for very long.
5. What do you love about your industry?
People. We have such a great mix of talent, with such incredible skill across our teams here.
6. Describe your average workday, if such a thing exists.
Every day is pretty different, which I’m very thankful for. I love interacting with people – I’m rarely at my desk. Typically, I’m catching up with someone in the agency, or meeting with a team for a quick update and to offer guidance on projects they’re working on. I do quite a few client presentations, which I really still enjoy.
7. What are the tools of your trade?
Definitely the internet. I still jump in here-and-there on UX and UI projects, because my love for it means I don’t think I could ever completely remove myself from that process. Love Sketch. Love Zeplin.
8. Who is getting it right in your industry?
Joe Public Connect’s stuff is always pretty cool, they’re really good at getting things right because they clearly consider each aspect of the project. Most recently, while judging entries for an award show, their work was some of the most enjoyable to judge because it’s of a pretty high calibre.
9. List a few pain points the industry can improve on.
Representation – I’d like to see more women and people of colour in senior, decision-making roles in the industry. There can also be more youth representation in these spaces.Arc is a small digital marketing agency based in Sandton that’s proudly 80% female, and made up of majority youth.
10. What are you working on right now?
Our new website and new brand identity. I’m also currently looking into different tech for personalised content at scale – automated stuff.
While our clients have ranged from brands within the health and beauty industry, to financial service providers and the airline industry. We’re more specifically focussed in the NGO and CSI space.
For example, fitting to discuss in December, there’s Choma, an innovative project by HIVSA with the sole purpose of engaging with young South African girls, in order to educate and guide the youth on the prevention of HIV.
Choma prides itself on being a safe space and providing education around sexual reproductive health.
This gives the project longevity beyond a day by giving users access to CV templates, career interest tests, and more.
11. Tell us some of the buzzwords floating around in your industry at the moment, and some of the catchphrases you utter yourself.
AI; cognitive services; personalised content – this one I also use, because I think it’s pretty cool; and automation.
12. Where and when do you have your best ideas?
The best ideas could be anywhere. Lately, when I’m driving to work in an Uber, or typically after I’ve actually had a good night’s sleep.
13. What’s your secret talent/party trick?
I arrive late really well.
14. Are you a technophobe or a technophile?
Easy – technophile.
15. What would we find if we scrolled through your phone?
Uber, UberEats, Whatsapp, Reddit, Discord, and kids asking me for money – my own kids, that is.
16. What advice would you give to newbies hoping to crack into the industry?
You need to be pretty tough. Be humble, be good at what you do, work hard and the rest will pretty much fall into place. Oh, and what you’re not good at, work on getting better at.
Simple as that. Goller says his username on Discord and Steam is “Shrek2© on DVD Now”. You can also join his Steam Group, ‘‘Lord Gaben’s Poetry Club’, and don’t forget to follow him on LinkedIn and Instagram; as well as Arc Interactive on their LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram feeds for the latest updates.
*Interviewed by Leigh Andrews.
About Leigh Andrews
Leigh Andrews AKA the #MilkshakeQueen, is former Editor-in-Chief: Marketing & Media at Bizcommunity.com, with a passion for issues of diversity, inclusion and equality, and of course, gourmet food and drinks! She can be reached on Twitter at @Leigh_Andrews.
