CREDIT: JAMIE HARRISAN
Fanshawe grad Fil Lourenco was all smiles as he received his award for being named one of Marketing Magazine's Top 30 Under 30.

Fil Lourenco, a graduate from Fanshawe's Business Administration and Marketing program was named one of 2015's Top 30 Under 30 by Marketing Magazine.

“I was very surprised, very happy and elated. It was a very surreal experience,” he said.

Lourenco earned this recognition in part due to his work with a team from Catalyst Canada on a campaign for the Mazda 3.

Lourenco and his team developed a system that would show consumers advertisements for the Mazda 3 even when they searched for a competitor; they came up with a unique way to “steal traffic” away from them. They developed a way to bypass Google's restrictions by coming up with the idea to create a second microsite that they could link to.

The innovation earned the team a 2013 Media Innovation Award for search. The plan they developed was so successful that other companies have absorbed it into their own plans.

“It's flattering, it kind of lets you know that your idea was a good one because other people are now doing it. It lets you know that the innovation you did bring was widely accepted and was applied by either your competitors or your colleagues,” Lourenco said.

He said his education at Fanshawe was crucial in preparing him for his future in marketing.

“I wouldn't be where I am without [my education]. At Fanshawe I was introduced to the digital industry through my program. I was able to get internships, an internship that got me started in the industry,” Lourenco said. “It really helped me find my calling.”

Lourenco had some advice for current students who aspire to work in marketing.

“The number one thing is you have to come out really knowing your industry and learn as much as you can about it because school is not going to teach you everything. If you come out [of school] knowing more than everyone else it does help set you apart,” he said.

Lourenco recommends researching your chosen industry top to bottom, learning about trends, and having a strong foundation of knowledge. He said all these things would help students break into the marketing world.

Lourenco said he believes the recognition from Marketing Magazine will have a great impact on his career and his future in marketing.

“Search is such a niche industry within digital marketing so it's just amazing to be able to be on the list with all these other different types of agencies, creatives, media agencies, clients, that are on more of the traditional side of marketing,” he said.

The Fanshawe grad is modest in his success, pointing out that he could not have done it without the support of others.

“I've been lucky enough to work with great teams and great people and be put in the opportunity to excel in my field.” Lourenco said. “Awards help elevate the work that I've done,”