Social Media Specialist, Basil Zoccali

Do you like your job?

I love my job! Not only do I get to work for one of the top 5 ranked media and entertainment companies, but I also get to share this experience with amazing people who I work alongside with. They say that when you get excited to wake up for work, that’s when you know that you’ve found the right job.

What work do you do?

I am the social media specialist for The Walt Disney Company; Marvel, Lucasfilm, and National Geographic.

What does that role involve?

I work alongside our Integrated Marketing team to ensure that the strategy and content we create is shared and managed on Disney’s social media accounts such as Facebook and Instagram for Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic Australia & New Zealand.

Tell us some of the greatest challenges you face at work.

Given the large scale of each brand and they all have different objectives, sometimes having to work with multiple at the same time is a challenge, however, I am learning more about them every day and enjoy it quite a lot.

What sort of rewards do you have in your role?

The greatest reward of this role is the reactions from fans. Social media provides a fast way to interact with people. I love being able to create content and see the fans engaged positively with it. Reading their stories through comments about what a certain movie/ television series means to them and how just sharing a piece of content can make somebody laugh and excited for a release.

What skills do you need as a Social Media Specialist?

You need a strong understanding of all social media platforms, advertising, proficient organisational skills to stay on top of all the brands and their key objectives, data analytics, content strategy, and using programs such as photoshop and video editing.

What did you do after life at St Bernard’s?

After St Bernard’s I went to Victoria University and studied for two years in Psychology and Business however when the opportunity came to me to work at Essendon FC, I made the hard decision to put University on hold to pursue my career in digital media.

Was that study helpful?

Even though I was unable to complete my degree, the two years of learning at Victoria University helped build the foundation when entering my full-time job at Essendon FC. Through my seven years in social media and marketing, my desire now is to complete courses in the future that will tailor to the needs of my career.

What advice would you give a student considering doing tertiary study?

Please don’t feel pressured or rushed into deciding on what you want to do after school. It's okay to not know what you want, and you have plenty of time to work out what your interests are and the courses you would like to devote your time and energy to. Sometimes the opportunity just comes to you!

So was studying after school for just two years worth it?

In my experience, it was worth it because it gave me the foundations I needed when entering the workforce. Choosing to leave my course mid-way was a hard decision however it made me learn that my style of learning is through ‘doing.’ Just as the 70-20-10 rule reveals that individuals tend to learn 70% of their knowledge from challenging experiences and assignments, 20% from developmental relationships, and 10% from coursework and training.

How did you land this job?

I worked very hard and made sure I learned as much as possible during my time with Essendon FC, Channel 10, and Bupa – but I had always made it my goal to work at The Walt Disney Company. So, I ensured that my personal brand was of reach to recruiters through networking and LinkedIn. Through this, I was able to showcase my abilities and was invited for an interview for what is now my current role.

What does a typical day look like?

Not one day is the same at Disney, so a typical one generally involves checking emails to see if anything has come through overnight from America, going to meetings regarding certain projects, and then making sure the social media accounts and strategies are up to date.

What’s most interesting about your work?

Being able to be creative with content and learn what the fans enjoy seeing on social media. I also enjoy data analytics – dissecting information to work out exactly how I can progress my work but also make it better.

Are there any bits you don’t enjoy?

Given that Disney’s headquarters are in the USA, the time difference can be strenuous. There are the occasional 4 am starts for trailers or announcements that sometimes need to go live across the channels right at that moment – even in Australia!

What did you learn about your job only once you got there?!

My expectations of social media would probably be the same as everyone reading this: “All you do is post on Facebook and Instagram!” Once I got into the role, I learned very quickly that to be successful you had to bring skills such as strategic thinking, planning, and creativity – skills that I was able to learn through experience and working with experts around me.

Outside of technical skills or knowledge, what personal qualities and attributes help you in your work?

I like to talk a lot! Because of this, I’m able to communicate and bring people along the journey with me. I am also a very creative person and that spark helped me in my job to want to do more, be more fun and interact with our audience.

How did COVID affect what you do at work?

I was very fortunate that COVID did not impact my role. I am able to work from home however the challenge for me was not being face-to-face with colleagues for 18-months, as I am very extroverted and enjoy bouncing ideas off people.

What are your stand-out memories of SBC?

I did the school musical from year eight to year-12 and loved every moment of it. Another one was Santa Monica camp which was such a great experience to do. I have also made many lifelong friends from SBC.

Who has helped you in your career journey?

There are a few people, firstly my parents have always trusted my decision and supported me. My partner is someone who I use as a soundboard, and she provides me the confidence to know I am making the right choices. Finally, my friends who I have grown up with through high school and now in our respective workplaces, being able to celebrate our milestones and face challenges together is something I am very grateful for.

If there’s something you could say to your 17-year-old self, what would it be?

Carpe Diem! Every obstacle that may come your way is a learning and it will only make you a better person in the end.