If you’ve stopped by any of Man Repeller’s social accounts in the past month or so, you may have thought, Hmmm it would appear as if there is a fresh new voice behind these pithy captions. And you would be right! Meet Amalie (pronounced like family) MacGowan, our new Social Media Manager. Read on to learn more about her.
1. You’re the Social Media Manager! What does that mean and what do you do?
I am the social medium here, yes. *Half of readers close their browsers after that comment* The Social Media Manager role here at MR wears many hats: I manage, moderate, and strategize all Man Repeller social profiles across platforms, while also dabbling in social ads, newsletters, and other forms of digital marketing.
2. Where were you before this?
Before this I was working at a fashion brand management company in midtown, managing the social profiles of various fashion brands with strong presences on interactive television (see: QVC). Prior to that, I worked in sports marketing, supporting social media for the New York City Marathon.
3. What did you go to school for?
I went to school for English Literature and French Literature, which, when mentioned, is always a cue for someone in the room to say “how’s that treatin’ ya?” No, I clearly did not take the path of becoming a comparative literature scholar at the Sorbonne, but I’ve nonetheless had the great privilege of finding a career path that stimulates the analytical parts of my brain I believed to be dormant since senior year calculus.
4. How did you get started at Man Repeller?
In August, Man Repeller put out a call on Instagram saying they were looking for a Social Media Manager and my heart flooded through my mouth. As a near-obsessive reader (every day at lunch with my sad desk salad), this was my dream job. It still is. It felt like a long shot when I applied. With MR having such a vast New York readership, I doubted my application would even be seen. Four short essays, two projects, five interviews and a lot of hard work later, I get to come to this office I feel like I know, with the people I felt like I knew, AND I get to have my mind blown on the daily.
5. Favorite part of your job?
At the risk of sounding saccharine, I really can’t express enough how much I feel the privilege of getting to know the individuals I followed and read for so long, and the great comfort in realizing they are just as personable and generous as their online presences suggest. It’s too difficult to choose a “favorite part.”
6. Least favorite part of your job?
Mean people on the internet! Please don’t be mean to me — let’s get coffee.
7. Fave thing you’ve done so far and why?
The @mrinmycart Instagram, which is where we suggest hot n’ fresh products as selected by Elizabeth Tamkin (you should be following!), is where I can let my freak flag fly. Recent captions include:”Heeled smoking loafers emblazoned with the Venus symbol is my sexuality” and “Is there a law against how many strands/drops of these can be worn at once because I’m ready to be CRIMINAL.”
8. What’s one thing that surprised you in your path up until now?
Somehow landing here.
9. What do you want to be when you grow up?
A poor man’s Amelia Diamond. JUST KIDDING, I want to be the best version of myself. NOPE, too cheesy, I’d like to be either on the crew of Planet Earth or a woman who travels back and forth between New England and Provence selling French antiques (like this one).
10. What’s one piece of advice you can offer to someone who wants a job like yours?
Never stop learning. Social media is constantly evolving, building, rolling out new products. You owe it to yourself to constantly self-educate so that you can be the most competitive candidate in the social space.
11. What’s one piece of advice you have for someone who has no clue what they want to do?
That was me at one point! I will say that it’s easy to look at a certain industry or field and write it off because you feel “behind,” as if the education that you received was insufficient for a certain role. Not true. Make yourself competitive with constant networking and research and you can find a way in.
12. Tell me something weird about you!
These always somehow turn into humblebrags, so I’ll get real: I compulsively apply deodorant at least five times a day.
13. Favorite Insta accounts?
@starterpacksofnyc for your daily dose of memery, @rachelaliceroddy for Italian food descriptions that will make you salivate, @mkastyle for a dive into the style of America’s favorite aliens, @wedreamoficecream for miniatures that will blow your mind, @thiswasfashion and @thiswashollywood for some good old-school fun. For art’s sake, @c__l__o is always a must, also @k_e_e_p, also @momoochoo. I follow over 1,000 accounts on Insta and could go on for days so let’s stop.
Photos by Edith Young. Amalie wearing KULE striped turtleneck, Everlane sweater, AYR jeans and Lizzie Fortunato necklace.
