We caught up with Faryal Ibersiene, awards executive at Festival of Media, for a chat on how she’s been finding her first few weeks as newest member of the team.

When you start a new role there’s lots of new information to take in can you try and sum up what it’s been like in three words?

Sure, everyone has been very welcoming, but if I had to narrow it down to three words they would be: engaging, fast-paced and collaborative.

Okay great, so you’re part of the awards team – can you tell me a bit more about what the awards team and what your role has consisted of so far?

I’m part of a team of three; there’s Louise, head of awards and Leah who works alongside as an another awards executive. They’ve both been fantastic at getting me up to speed and helping me get my head around all things Festival of Media. It’s an extremely varied role, spanning everything from interacting with the agencies, watching campaign videos and making sure all of judges are happy and have everything they need for online judging, right through to making sure the events themselves run smoothly. It might have been easier to tell you what the awards team don’t do!

There are so many awards programmes out there, what in your opinion sets Festival of Media apart from its competitors?

In a nutshell Festival of Media is a platform that showcases and celebrates the best work across media, marketing and advertising industries on a global scale. Winning a Festival of Media award is not only great PR, boosts team morale and raises the profile of campaigns. Helping you to reach new audiences and it’s a great way to set yourself apart from your competitors.

Are we right in thinking that the Global Awards in Milan will be your first event?

It will indeed. I can’t wait to go to Milan for so many reasons. I’m looking forward to connecting with the judges, putting faces to names of the people I’ve emailed, and of course networking. Also having seen photos of the venue, I have to say it does look spectacular.

We imagine it’s all been a bit of whirlwind, but do you have any highlights or standout moments from your first month working at Festival?

It might sound a bit cheesy, but the best thing has been getting to know everyone. It’s a small but close-knit team and everyone is passionate about what they do and making our portfolio of events the best they can possibly be. There’s a lovely family atmosphere.

Finally to finish up can you tell us a fun or little-known fact about yourself?

Of course. When I was on holiday in Thailand, I visited an elephant sanctuary where I got to bath an elephant. I was lucky enough to feed him, play with him and it didn’t take me long to figure out why everyone said he was so well suited to his name which was Hapi.