Yasmin Coutinho

Current Employer/Organisation Name

Playboy Enterprises

What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?

I have had a great career in the Creator Economy/Influencer Marketing space. Whilst working in this industry full time, following Exeter, I’ve also gotten an MSc from LSE, an MA from the University of Southern California and am now also completing an MBA in San Diego. I have currently been living in the USA (LA, NYC and Hawaii) for the last 4 years, where I’ve held senior roles in some of the world’s top agencies and brands including: Whalar, Vice, Refinery 29, Playboy. Currently, I am also building out a non-profit to protect the interest of digital creators called the Creators Guild of America.

Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?

I didn’t really choose this career, I just kind of fell into it! Whilst I was at Exeter, I was an on-campus brand ambassador employed by a marketing agency based in London. As soon as I graduated, this marketing agency asked if I wanted an entry-level role with them in London, and I took the opportunity without hesitation! Starting my career working in marketing meant I learned about different areas of marketing/advertising and quickly realised I loved the work social media creators were suddenly doing for brands… something that quickly got coined “influencer marketing”. I started working at one of the UK’s first “influencer marketing” agencies called Whalar, and after a few years with them I got transferred to their LA office to help develop their brand new talent management divison. From there, I became a talent manager and started a fruitful career in the USA working with social media creators, brands etc.

Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?

I was a Senior Student Ambassador (i love Karl and that whole team!) a Study Abroad Representative, I did drama with Shotgun Theatre and was part of the Exeter Women’s Football Club and went on tour with them etc.

Were you part of the Exeter Student Ambassador Scheme at any point during your studies?

Yes

What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?

Without a doubt, the highlight was going to study abroad! In my 3rd year, I went to study abroad at The University of Western Australia and that completely changed my life! It was the best year of my life and I’m so greatful Exeter provided me with that experience (which was made possible by doing a Flexible Combined Honors). I loved the programme so much that I still keep in touch with Tim Seelig who helped me throughout and even saw him in LA when he was visiting.

What did you enjoy most about studying here?

I loved the flexibility of my program (I could pick modules based on subjects I liked) so I did a breadth of subjects including: Psychology, Drama, Anthropology, Sociology…. a bit like liberal studies here in the USA! It was amazing! Additionally, I absolutely loved the Campus culture and think about the grounds often: including late nights at the Forum library, the events and living in Halls (I lived in Lafrowda!)

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

It was the only University in the UK that offered me a flexible degree programme AND to go study abroad. It was perfect for me since I am a polymath and didn’t just want to focus on one subject nor know what I wanted to do as a career.

What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?

Being confident, being open to networking at every single possible opportunity, travelling at any given moment to gain open-mindness and cultural dexterity, not being scared to work alongside CEOs/CMOs closely, always asking for help when needed and not being shy about that!

What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?

Be a yes person! To this day I say yes to everything (which honestly is tough at times) but it has opened so many doors for me…. Sometimes saying yes to something I doubted in, snowballed into another amazing opportunity and so on. Additionally, don’t be so fixated on an idea and plan – just go with the flow and if things change in course that is OK and the beauty of it all!

What are your plans for the future?

As per my answer above, I really don’t know! I’d like to do another 5 or so years here in the USA and then I’d like to move somewhere else again (maybe Asia or my favorite country, Australia). Next year, I’m launching my own podcast here in LA, and whilst that will be a passion project to begin with I hope it can bring some different work about. Right now I hold a Senior Director role and am exploring other leadership roles in marketing/creator economy. I want to continue hustling and making lots of money (the USA has been good for that) to give me financial freedom to pursue more traveling and passion projects.