Meet Three Box: Welcome Back, Alexia!
Guess who’s back?! We’re excited to share that our former intern, Alexia Johnson, has rejoined the Three Box team as a full-time associate!
Below, we took some time to chat about her professional experience in Austin since her internship ended in 2019 and discussed what she is looking forward to most as a Three Box associate. We also played a few rounds of “This or That: PR Edition” – read on for Alexia’s thoughts on B2B versus B2C, coffee versus tea, and more!
What have you been up to since your Three Box internship in 2019?
Alexia visits the Texas State Capitol in Austin for the first time.
Following my Three Box internship and graduation from the University of North Texas, I moved to Austin for my first full-time job in PR. I briefly worked at a technology-focused, B2B agency until the COVID-19 pandemic hit, after which I began offering freelance social media and PR services so that I could continue to develop my skills while assisting nonprofits and other businesses achieve their communications goals.
Throughout everything, I stayed in touch with my friends at Three Box, and when the opportunity arose to rejoin the team as a fellow in November 2020 (while working remotely from Austin), I jumped at the chance!
Although these many changes were certainly nerve-wrecking, the change of pace inspired me to grow personally and professionally.
What are you looking forward to the most in your role as an associate compared to your internship and fellowship?
As someone that’s so excited for most facets of the communications industry, I find it difficult to choose just one thing that I’m most excited about! A major goal of mine as an associate is to assist with more strategic planning. As a fellow and intern, I watched the team develop plans and assisted with implementation, but as an associate, I feel prepared to offer creative, thoughtful input during the strategic planning process.
What does it feel like to be back at Three Box?
It almost feels like a homecoming moment – a true, full-circle experience. Despite the virtual environment, coming back to the team felt so seamless, almost like no time had passed at all. I started my career in communications here and much of my success and knowledge can be attributed to my internship at Three Box, so I’m looking forward to putting my knowledge from my more recent experiences into practice with our clients.
Click here for Alexia’s top tips for staying creative.
Now that you have one full year of industry experience, let’s play “This or That: PR Edition!”
Alexia during her internship at Three Box in 2019.
Digital or traditional communications?
Digital marketing is my favorite, although I’ve always had a great appreciation for traditional PR tactics – especially for B2B brands. However, with almost every industry shifting to virtual platforms in response to the pandemic, digital methods have proved their worth and effectivity more than ever.
Handwritten or typed notes?
Handwritten notes, definitely! Maybe I’m just vain and love my handwriting, but jotting things down on paper makes them real to me and keeps me focused. I also feel like handwritten notes force you to highlight only the most important information because your hands can only move so fast.
Coffee or tea?
I’m a tea drinker all the way! Growing up in the Caribbean, tea was the panacea for all sicknesses, and we’d always have some sort of tea in the home. Tea also makes me feel like I’m being healthier and doesn’t give me the jitters like coffee does. However, coffee will always have a special place in my heart for those extra busy days and early mornings.
Creative writing or strategic planning?
This is such a hard one since I pride myself on living at the intersection of creativity and strategy. If I had to choose one, it would be strategic planning. I’m very detail-oriented and think through all the steps in processes, which helps when putting together for comprehensive plans for clients.
Zoom calls or in-person meetings?
When things are safer, I really prefer in-person meetings, because I feel like a great deal of communication is non-verbal. Many of these non-verbal queues are lost over Zoom. Despite this, I love the ease of Zoom calls – especially the ability to wear sweatpants. Definitely not stylish, but so comfortable!
B2B or B2C?
Working at a predominantly B2B agency was definitely a worthwhile experience, but B2C seems like the sweet spot for me. With B2C communications, you can use many B2B best practices but with added personality and flare. I also love speaking with consumers, as there’s more of an emotional connection with this audience type. I’m grateful that, at Three Box, I’ll get to experience working with both B2B and B2C clients!