Learning marketing through real experience
Our Marketing Intern shares his journey so far.
Meet Toby Fox, our Marketing Intern here at Fox Agency. Toby is sharing with us his personal journey into the world of marketing and the decision to pursue an internship over more traditional routes like university. From early exposure to agency life at just 11 years old to gaining hands-on experience across international offices, Toby reflects on what sparked his interest in marketing, why he thrives in a practical learning environment, and how his role at Fox Agency has shaped his skills, confidence, and future ambitions in the industry.
Where it all began
When I was 11, I spent my first day in a marketing agency. I had the day off school and my dad took me to his office in Leeds. Was I useful? Probably not. Did I make a good cup of tea? Absolutely. This was my first time in an agency environment and since that day I always knew I wanted to work in marketing.
Fast forward to today, and I’ve now been working as a Marketing Intern at Fox Agency for eleven months, both in the UK from Leeds and also in the US from New York. In this short time, I have already learned a wide range of new skills thanks to a variety of experts and excellent resources.
Why marketing?
After deciding I wanted to work in a marketing agency, I quickly started taking notice of the media surrounding me and was full of questions. Why was that trailer made that speed? Why show that scene? Why does this poster use that colour? Why does that advert use this message? I found it fascinating trying to understand and break down the ‘why’ behind how brands communicate and convey their messages, making me desperate to learn and understand how to do this myself. This led me to choose a Business GCSE, where I had to create my own product and pitch it to investors. I then went on to study Business and Media in college, so that I could learn the ways to target an audience.
In college, my Media coursework required me to create a music video, tour posters and a feature article on the artist which I really enjoyed. The hands-on approach of researching, planning and creating meant I could really think about who I was targeting, the characteristics of the artist and how best to approach this task. Creating products based on my research of competitors helped me understand the trends used to reach audiences.
Why did I choose an internship over university?
As I was going into my final year at college, I knew the further education path was not for me. I wanted to be learning hands on with real work that would go on to live in the real world. I was ready to pursue marketing full time, so, I decided to investigate apprenticeships and internships so that I could enter the industry and keep learning hands on. During summer 2024, I was able to return to Fox Agency for some work experience, working in many different areas of the agency. One project I remember working on with the creative team was an immersive event experience to drive footfall and build brand awareness. I was involved in shaping the vision for what we wanted to create and finding the perfect resources for us.
Another reason I chose an internship is because I learn more effectively through practical experience than through a traditional learn-then-test approach. In my role at Fox Agency, this approach is encouraged. When I’m learning new software, for example, someone will guide me through the basics before giving me the space to use it myself. Support is always there when I need it, but there’s also a strong sense of trust, allowing me to stay independent while continuously expanding my skill set.
Where I am and where I’m going
As I approach a year into my internship, I’m thankful to still be really enjoying my role within the Marketing team because it’s fun and interesting to experience such diversity – every project is different and no two weeks are ever the same. One day I’m researching aeroplane software services and the next I’m learning how to edit a podcast about the automotive industry.
I’ve been at Fox for eleven months now, and in that time, I’ve learnt a lot and taken on more responsibility. Day to day, I can be doing anything from research, copywriting, email builds, and helping manage creative production. I get to work on a variety of projects, which I really enjoy, as it means I’m constantly learning about different areas of the industry, meeting new people, and picking things up from those around me.
I still love marketing and genuinely enjoy what I do. While I’m still figuring out exactly what path I’ll go down within the industry, the mentors around me are helping guide me and shape my journey forward.
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