Blagica Bottigliero (blah-gee-tsa boh-til-ee-eh-ro) is truly a force to be reckoned with. She’s a digital media superstar who has weaved her career through startups, large corporations, agencies, and adventures in entrepreneurship. She’s a mother of two and a fan of Bill Cosby.
These days, she’s part of the Metaverse Mod Squad power team. As the VP Digital Media, Bottigliero helps her clients thrive inside the world wide web by integrating online marketing and social media strategies into their robust communication plans.
So go on and check out her interview with Being Geek Chic. She’ll tell you about her winding career path, affinity for Anne of Green Gables, and how her family’s beginnings inspire her daily. Also, she’s met JFK Jr. and we just couldn’t help but ask about it.
Oh, and she’s won an Emmy (pictured at left). Follow her on Twitter: @Blagica.
Q: Your career has taken you many different paths—from entrepreneurship to public relations to digital media strategy. How did you discover your passion, and what led you to Metaverse Mod Squad?
A: I’ve had the combination of luck and embracing amazing opportunities with digital media and the web. My natural curiosity for how things are built comes from the days of growing up outside Detroit watching my dad fix our cars.
The web is one big intersection of many things: code, communication, psychology, creative, commerce, etc. I knew that I had to learn about as many elements of those intersections to understand the whole. I focused my career on the things I knew, but needed to become an expert in.
I approach everything I do with an ‘all in’ philosophy. Whether I was launching ads at Orbitz, building my own companies, running a social team at Motorola or managing a digital crisis at Edelman, my co-workers and employees always knew I was committed. This reputation and work ethic carried my through every element of my career.
I’ve had a knack for seeing trends forming and carving a path for myself to either get there or be close to those trends.
Q: Where do you find inspiration in life?
A: The story of my family and how they immigrated to the United States from Macedonia is one of the most consistent drivers for me. Nothing is impossible in my family.
My family’s meager beginnings coupled with my role as a mother to two hilarious kids motivates me to leave a legacy for them.
Q: If you could take any fictional character out for a drink, whom would you choose and what would you drink?
A: In a heartbeat, I would invite Anne of Green Gables out for some lemonade with a surprise shot of whiskey (if you remember the scene with her friend drinking wine, you’d get the joke).
Q: We have to ask tell us about meeting John F. Kennedy, Jr. as an intern?
A: I was an intern at McCann Erickson. John F. Kennedy Jr. was in town promoting his magazine, George. No one on the media floor worked that day. They were all in the meeting with Mr. Kennedy. I decided that I had to see him. Knowing where them meeting took place, I rode the elevator and timed the doors opening on the floor where the meeting took place. I acted like I was grabbing supplies from the kitchen. Then, there he was. Cool, calm, and the most amazing spirit. He thanked all the executives for their time and was whisked away. I stood there in a sea of agency higher ups and they stared at me wondering how I showed up. I smiled, shrugged my shoulders and said, 'I had to grab some hot chocolate for our floor.’ It was summertime.
Q: What would you tell your 13-year-old self?
A: Never second guess your talents because you are a girl. You may talk fast and have a really odd first name, but be patient, continue writing, and accept the fact that you like to study. It’s OK that you like to write poems, quote history, and walk around talking in funny voices. Laughing is a good thing.
One day, it will all pay off. Trust me.
Image credit: Elizabeth McQuern
Emma Bauer is a Being Geek Chic Contributor. Clearly, she’s got great taste. She is a PR enthusiast, dog lover, tea drinker, art appreciator, and of course, aspires to Be Geek Chic. Follow her on Twitter: @emmalynnbauer