AN INTERVIEW WITH
Eric Brandt
Marketing Manager | Omaha, NE | USA
AN INTERVIEW WITH
Eric Brandt
Marketing Manager | Omaha, NE | USA
Tell us a little about your career journey. What is your role at NCR? (previous role, current role and tenure for both)
I graduated in 2010 with a major in Marketing and minors in management and Spanish.
Right out of college, I took a job with a company called Sandhills Publishing, whom I interned with while I was in school. After a few years of working there, I moved over to a company called B2 Interactive where I managed a site called Storage.com, but also did sales and project management for digital marketing. This is where I really got my love for the digital aspect of marketing. In 2016, I joined D3 Banking Technology as a Marketing Specialist and in just two years, I became the Marketing Manager, managing all aspects of marketing for the company. I joined NCR in 2019 when they acquired the D3 Banking solution.
When I joined NCR, I joined the product marketing team for Digital Banking, reporting to Amanda Burk. There I continued my role as the lead product marketer for the D3 platform, targeting the LFI market. I also took a very active role with thought leadership and media relations for all of Digital Banking. Those duties included managing a majority of the paid media relationships, building updated industry-facing messaging, and PR/comms related to new client wins, important news, etc. Prior to leaving NCR in July 2021, I was with D3/NCR for 6+ years.
Upon returning to NCR (September of 2021), I returned in an expanded, cross-functional role, taking on an even larger role managing the NCR digital-first banking thought leadership efforts, media/paid relations, PR comms, and continuing to drive the digital-first messaging for all of NCR, while still helping manage the LFI marketing efforts.
"What made returning to NCR such an easy decision truly was the people. The team that I get to work with day in and day out are amazing and what made leaving so difficult, but also why I decided to come back.”
What brought you to NCR most recently? Why did you consider coming back to NCR after leaving?
Leaving NCR initially was not an easy decision or one that I took lightly.
At the time, I felt like it was the best opportunity for my career and family but unfortunately, it didn’t quite work out that way. What made returning to NCR such an easy decision truly was the people. The team that I get to work with day in and day out are amazing and what made leaving so difficult, but also why I decided to come back. There are a lot of great people at NCR who are passionate and brilliant and being around those types of people are what makes working at NCR so much fun.
What about the type of work you would be doing for NCR impact your decision to return?
I think more than the type of work I would be doing, it was the direction/trajectory of the team and product were going.
In the short time that I was gone, I think there was some alignment and clarity which reignited my excitement for the opportunity.
I also think it was the clarifying impact of the job. Being able to deliver messages, marketing strategy, media and social exposure that truly makes an impact and shifts perceptions.
"Understanding the impact that I could potentially have was also a key driver for me as well. Being able to move the needle and help drive the bottom line was important.”
Outside of the job description, what other important questions did you seek to have answered prior to making your decision?
For me I think it was just understanding a path.
In hindsight, I wish I would have communicated more clearly what I was feeling. When making the decision to come back, it was just understanding what my role would be, could potentially be, and a sort of roadmap of how we can get there. Understanding the impact that I could potentially have was also a key driver for me as well. Being able to move the needle and help drive the bottom line was important.
What should NCR highlight to new/returning employees to ignite interest?
This question is a little tough because I think it’s different depending on the situation.
For simplicity purposes, for new employees we (NCR) need to highlight that we are a technology company. Don’t rest on the laurels of being 100+ years old or our history. While important yes, new employees want to work for growing tech companies. NCR is that.
For returning employees. I think it’s important that NCR highlights their growth, but that they also highlight communication and show that they are taking the steps necessary to make NCR the employer that they can be and the company that people want to join and stay at.
"Don’t rest on the laurels of being 100+ years old or our history. While important yes, new employees want to work for growing tech companies. NCR is that.”
How do you describe NCR now? Is it different than how you described NCR previously?
The time that I was gone was probably shorter than most so I don’t know that I would describe it dramatically differently.
Since returning, as we settle into the “new normal" I have seen more of a shift in the culture and focus on employees, which is reassuring.
What is your favorite part about working at NCR?
The people.
Every job is going to have its ups and downs but the people at NCR are nothing short of amazing. I wouldn’t trade the team I work on for anything. The people I get to work with are just as great and so, knowing that I get to learn from and work with these people day in and day out definitely makes me enjoy being part of NCR.
"I wouldn’t trade the team I work on for anything. The people I get to work with are just as great and so, knowing that I get to learn from and work with these people day in and day out definitely makes me enjoy being part of NCR.”
What has been your favorite project you’ve worked on, or the one you are most proud of?
That’s tough. I would probably have to say Accelerate Magazine, though.
It was born from a different project that sort of fell flat but we still had a lot of great content that we wanted to share. On a call, we kind of threw the idea out there and started roughing it together. Before we knew it, we had a stellar publication that has grown and gotten better with each issue. It’s been a great opportunity to add to the additional thought leadership efforts I’m driving by interviewing industry experts and analysts, highlighting customer success, and continuing to define what digital-first means to NCR, its clients, and customers.
What advice do you have for prospective candidates?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and understand what a potential career path could look like.
It’s not going to be laid out perfectly and it’s going to change with time, but truly ask and understand what your future looks like. Don’t be afraid to continue those questions each year during review cycles either.
NCR is a huge company and the grass isn’t always going to be greener. There’s a good chance that if you’re not in the right position, there is a spot within the company that is right for you. But you have to ask those questions and have those conversations to find them.
NCR is a huge company and the grass isn’t always going to be greener. There’s a good chance that if you’re not in the right position, there is a spot within the company that is right for you. But you have to ask those questions and have those conversations to find them.
What’s your hobby outside of work?
My most recent hobby has been our toddler.
He’s two and the center of our lives. He’s at such a fun age, watching him grow and seeing the world through his eyes is amazing. Outside of hanging with him and the family, I play hockey once a week (I’ve been skating since I was 3) and am a pretty avid golfer when the Nebraska weather allows me to play!
Is there a value you connect with most?
I think culture and communication.
Having these two components with a great team that works hard, takes ownership and responsibility while also having fun creates results. Seeing those efforts produce results and come to fruition is both exciting and fulfilling.