Spotlight on the I-SCMA president, Susan Probert from Advance Local Media
Tell us little about your current role, how long you’ve been in the business, and positions you’ve held.
Feels like I have been in the business all my life. In January 2023, I will be in the business for 40 years. I started as an independent contractor delivering newspapers. Early on, I had the opportunity to become an assistant home delivery manager in Hackettstown, NJ and was promoted from there. First manager and then several years later was asked to take over the NJ North Division of Single Copy store and news rack sales. After five years in Single Copy, I become the Customer Service Manager in Newark, NJ. Truly, I hesitated to take this position as “back in the day” we called it the complaint department. The department was in-house and honestly, we did not put forth our strongest resources. So, anyone who knows me, knows I spoke to the circulation director and requested some changes before I accepted the position. Changes were made…position accepted! Okay, so long story short…Advance was restructured a few years ago and I was fortunate enough to land in a good position. I started in the Consumer Revenue division, first as the enterprise Customer Service Manager, then Retention Manager and now as Consumer Relations Director.
What aspect(s) of your role do you enjoy most?
Since the beginning, I enjoyed the challenge of the industry. Every day is different, and I cannot think of one time in 40 years when I have been bored. But what I enjoy the most is working with my team. They are the best in the business! They are dedicated to supporting each other, the needs of our customers and Advance. The team is completely remote, and their daily collaboration and team spirit is inspiring. There is no project too big or too small for this team. From a single phone call to creating hundreds of campaigns which support print and digital circulation. They do it all, while fostering an environment of employee development, professionalism, and mutual respect. And they make it a fun place to work!
What do you find to be the most challenging in this business?
Never enough time to do it all!
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A singer
What’s something about you that others might be surprised to learn?
I sang in a band for 15 years and have the great pleasure to sing at the Savoy hotel in London!
Thank you, Susan for sharing your story with us!
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