Cairo Lewis (IMC19)

Associate Producer at Travelzoo

Having spent most of her time in the journalism and travel industries, transitioning to sales and marketing within the travel industry was easy for Cairo Lewis (IMC19). The IMC Program was a perfect way for her to make that transition because it allowed her to explore marketing on a deeper level, develop her business acumen, and learn how to solve real-world problems.

Now, as an associate producer at Travelzoo, Lewis works with tour companies to curate amazing deals for members and uses the skills she learned at Medill daily.

Tell me about your career path. How did you get where you are today?

My first job in a hotel housekeeping department was a great foundation professionally because it showed me the inner workings of the hospitality world. I also held numerous journalism internships, which were essential for developing my writing skills, and I’m a total news junky. But, I eventually found my way to sales and marketing in the travel industry, first at a small publishing company, and now at Travelzoo vetting inspirational deals. One of the things I love most about the travel industry (besides traveling, of course) is that there is so much room to grow professionally.

What are your main responsibilities as an Associate Producer at Travelzoo?

At Travelzoo, my job is to inspire our dedicated community of travelers, whom we call members, to get off the couch and explore the world. I’m particularly passionate about making travel more accessible and encouraging our members to experience something new. To make all this possible, my job entails working mostly with tour companies to curate amazing deals for our members. During the research and negotiation process, I compare our deals to our competitors’ offerings to make sure you can’t find a better deal than what we publish. My days are also filled with strategizing content, writing deals, consulting with clients, and analyzing campaign performance.

How do you apply the IMC way of thinking that uses both art and science in your job?

My job is definitely a combination of art and science. Artistically, I challenge myself to negotiate a diverse selection of travel deals and write creative copy. Scientifically, I support my recommendations with both the latest industry data and performance analytics to optimize campaigns. The IMC program was especially useful in helping me strengthen my quantitative skills.

What did you do during your Immersion Quarter? How has it helped you in your career?

During Immersion Quarter, I worked on a group project for the Jordan Brand at Nike in Beaverton, Oregon. Our team was tasked with creating solutions to engage the Millennial and Generation Z communities with the Jordan Brand in a mobile world. Here, I learned a lot about basketball and hip-hop culture, as well as how mobile marketing can translate its impact across communities worldwide. My biggest takeaway from this project that I’ve applied to my current job is that it's essential to maintain a customer-centric mindset, because marketing is about serving people’s needs.

What is a class or experience that sticks out in your mind and why?

The content strategy and strategic communications classes stand out to me because so much of my daily job includes writing inspirational deals and collaborating with various clients and colleagues. As for an experience, the global program in Asia was life-changing. My class went to Singapore, which is amazingly modern and multicultural, not to mention downright stunning. I loved this trip because it illustrated the importance of digital media in marketing.

How has the Northwestern/Medill IMC network and/or Medill Career Services helped you in your career?

Northwestern’s network, from Career Services to the alumni community, is outstanding. I’ve received so much advice on how to build a strong resume, network effectively (while still being myself), and advocate for myself throughout my career. Beyond that, I feel so fortunate to be a part of this caring community and have kept in touch with professors, career service professionals, and classmates.

What other types of master’s programs did you consider (MBA, etc.)? Why did you choose Medill IMC?

I definitely considered getting my MBA and still see that as a great opportunity in the future. Until I entered the IMC program, most of my professional experience was in the journalism and travel/hospitality industries, so I wanted to learn marketing skills that would apply specifically to those fields. I ultimately chose the Medill IMC program because I knew it would allow me to explore marketing on a deeper level than I had previously, develop my business acumen, and help me solve real-world problems.

What advice would you give to someone considering Medill IMC?

Keep an open mind, be curious and soak in everything like a sponge! Like anything else in life, your Medill IMC career path will likely not be linear, and that’s okay because growth isn’t a linear process. Be open to the world of opportunities that await you, and the more questions you ask, the more you’ll learn.