Ginger Pelz

Today is my last day at MGA Communications.

That’s right. I’m leaving the job I’ve known for the last 3.5 years and diving into the unknown - a land filled with no time sheets, a great corporate culture and about 33,989 more faces in the sea of employees. 

I’ve accepted a position at DaVita – a Fortune 500 healthcare company specializing in kidney care. I’m joining their corporate communications department on Monday.

This change is scary and exciting at the same time, but I’m no stranger to setting out on new adventures. When I joined MGA, I had never written a press release and I sure as heck didn’t know one thing about oil and gas operations or NEPA processes or superfund cleanup sites. I was a recent marketing grad from Arkansas who had aspirations of fashion school, and while the opportunity to join MGA kind of fell into my lap, I am grateful for everything I learned and the fantastic (and smart!) people I had the pleasure of working with.

My experience at MGA, if anything, has been extremely diverse. I’m so happy to have been a part of fun office videos, big client wins, several awards, awesome events, employee volunteer days, and more.

I’m most thankful for the constant opportunities to do the kind of work I truly wanted to do. Along the way, I realized that I really had a passion for social media. MGA recognized that and let me jump in head first to continue learning everything I possibly could, train other MGAers on tools, build strategic social media plans, talk with numerous clients and potential clients about the importance and benefits of building their online presence – in a strategic way. Without that opportunity, I wouldn’t be where I am today. 

All of my experience at MGA has prepared me for this next step. One of my main roles at DaVita will be to design and execute a strategic social media program. The company is really carving out its reputation by already doing cool things in the online space, and I’m looking forward to what we will build.

The company moved their corporate offices to Denver from Los Angeles last year, and I’m one of the first three communications employees to work out of their new Denver office (over half of the team is still in the LA office). I’ll still be working downtown and with my new schedule of 8-5 Monday – Friday, I am excited to actually make it to happy hour (at MGA, we get out at 6PM, but we have half-day Fridays). 

Going from a small agency to a large corporation is bound to bring many changes, but I’m welcoming this new experience and all of the challenges it will bring. If you have advice to share for this kind of transition, please do! 

Here’s to new beginnings.

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Here’s to the start of something (hopefully) great.

I’m heading to SXSW Interactive in just a few days and I made it my personal goal to launch this blog before I depart. I am expecting to be full of inspiration when I return from Austin and I thought it important to have a dedicated place to spew my thoughts afterward.

What am I hoping to get out of this blog? Well, I think I will find my voice as I move through it. Initially, I want to focus on social media and Star Wars because I am a nerd like that. Okay, maybe not Star Wars, but from time to time I may make Nintendo references. Don’t judge.

In any event, social media is something I’m really passionate about, but it’s not the only thing. There are also several other hobbies that I’m hoping to post on from time-to-time like jewelry design, photography, fashion, music and more.

A big shoutout to PJ Hoberman who helped me set up this blog and is hosting my site. For you, I am forever grateful.

Also, I would like to thank Cali Harris for being awesome and for chatting with me over lunch about her blog and how she’s found her voice. Lastly, I’d like to thank the lovely Elaine Ellis for pointing a stern finger at me and pressuring me to get this blog off the ground.

Here’s to getting this going and to the inspiring week ahead.

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