We are TOWA: Sofiya, Video & Content Producer

Hey Sofiya, why don't you start by telling us who you are, what you do at TOWA and how you found out about TOWA.

I've been working as a Junior Video and Content Producer at TOWA for almost a year now. After moving from Dubai to Vienna, I came across TOWA via LinkedIn. I originally applied for a different position, but the opportunity to join the video and content team immediately appealed to me. A happy coincidence that turned out to be one of my best career decisions.

I have previous experience in video and photo production, but my roots are in the fashion industry, where I have worked for various brands. I was also lucky enough to intern at an LA film studio and work there as an assistant director. This gave me valuable insight into the film world.

When did your passion for video & content producing begin and how did you get into it?

Films have always been my passion. As a teenager I tried acting, but in the end I was more attracted to working behind the camera.

When I was 16, I moved from Ukraine to Vienna to study theatre, film and media studies. During my studies, I gained experience in various internships, although I initially thought it might be difficult to gain a foothold in the industry in Vienna, as my previous experience was in the B2C sector.

Nevertheless, I didn't give up and gradually built up a network and skills in the B2B sector. Today, I am grateful for my decision to follow my passion and accept the challenges that came my way.

What does your typical working day at TOWA look like?

My working day varies depending on whether we have filming days at our customers or not.

In preparation for shoots, I'm mainly involved in video editing, shoot day planning, finding inspiration, content planning and mood boards. We discuss the current progress and tasks in the team every day. On Mondays we plan the week in detail, and on Fridays we reflect on how the week went. Our working week is therefore very structured and creative at the same time.

What projects are you currently working on?

I'm currently working on an exciting project with Ringana, a cosmetics brand. Every month we create different TikTok content, which means two days of shooting, creating a content plan and 16 videos for the whole month. We experiment with lighting settings and environments to achieve high-quality shots.

We also train Ringana's social media team so they can do in-house shoots. We share our knowledge of editing and colour grading software. It's an exciting time of creativity and knowledge sharing, and I'm looking forward to future projects together with Ringana!

Do you work more from home or in the office?

I usually spend 2 days a week in the office and 3 days at home.

How does working at TOWA differ from your previous employers?

Working here is very different from my previous employers. Here I enjoy the absolute freedom to determine my own working rhythm. The motto "learning by doing" also encourages me to work more creatively and realise my full potential. The trust placed in me by my team leader and colleagues also gives me the inspiration and energy I need to give my best. For me, TOWA really is a place where I can develop my hidden talents.

What do you particularly like about your job?

What I like most is the feeling of having a finished product in front of me at the end. Whether it's a design, a video or software, it's incredibly satisfying to see your work bear fruit. Because the finished product is the result of effort and creativity, and it reminds me why I love my job so much. That's basically the feeling of fulfilment and motivation that drives me every day.

Are there any special challenges as a Video and Content Producer with us?

First of all, this position didn't exist at TOWA before and is brand new and a bit of an adventure, so to speak. What makes my job particularly fascinating is the variety of tasks and clients we work with. We have to constantly improve our offerings and understand the changing needs of our customers. I personally love these constant challenges and the continuous development.

Do you feel that working at TOWA has helped you to grow and develop?

Absolutely! The time I've spent at TOWA so far has definitely helped me grow and develop. I'm learning every day and I especially look forward to our Friday check-out meetings as a team, where we not only review the week but also talk about what each of us has learnt personally. For me, this is a real motivational booster at the end of each week and shows how important the personal growth of each employee is.

Which highlight at TOWA has stuck in your mind in particular?

Definitely the YouTube Marketing Conference with our Executive Creative Director Matteo. It was my first big task, even though I had never been a speaker before and had only been at TOWA for a month and a half. It was really a huge challenge for me and at the same time I was incredibly grateful for the opportunity and the trust. I was thrown in at the deep end, but that's the only way to learn to swim. And the conference? It was a great success.

Now a question for anyone thinking of becoming part of TOWA. What advice would you give them?

Show initiative, that you are keen to get things moving and don't hesitate to ask for help. At TOWA, we look forward to work every day, not only because of the tasks, but above all because of the great colleagues who are here.