Alexander Ron is a Digital Editor at Condé Nast. He is only 23 years old, but his inspiring career story shows that he worked exceptionally hard to become an expert in his field. In this interview with TechBullion, we uncover Alexander’s impressive career journey that we hope will inspire those looking to progress into the digital world and content creation.
Please tell us more about yourself?
My name is Alexander Ron; I am 23 years old and my profession is a digital editor and content creator. I have worked with major brands, including Condé Nast, ITV, and Vogue. I have strong knowledge of digital media with expertise in content creation, SEO, and traffic building. I have also worked with various lifestyle and fashion brands and can strategise, edit, copy-write, and use my creative vision to art direct.
Tell us more about Condé Nast, what they do and your role at the company?
Condé Nast is a global media company that publishes some of the world’s most iconic brands such as Vogue, The New Yorker, GQ, Vanity Fair, Condé Nast Johansens, Wired, Condé Nast Traveler, Tatler and more. I am the Digital Editor for Condé Nast Johansens – covering topics such as luxury travel, fashion, and lifestyle, whereby I create, produce and manage high-quality content.
What inspired your quest to become a journalist and professional content creator and how did you get to work with Condé Nast?
From a very young age, I knew I wanted to work for a company like Condé Nast, particularly in journalism and content creation. It was the idea of working on challenging and exciting projects, meeting interesting people, and working among passionate and informed individuals. I knew from this that this was the direction for me – the ability to narrate stories from the heart and create rich content that would influence and inspire people. Every day I learn and educate – that is the beauty of what my role allows me to do.
At the age of 23, you have already become a Digital Editor, how did you make it and what are your success stories so far?
When I was 18, I moved to London and took a Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Communication at Condé Nast College, something I had wanted to do since first learning about Condé Nast College at age 13. While studying for my degree, I managed to land a coveted work placement at British Vogue. I did many internships to try to raise my profile in the industry, and I was always on the lookout for ways to expand my network. After graduating, I pitched ideas to various magazines, and eventually, I managed to get some writing into Glamour magazine and then secured a freelance contract with ITV Studios managing the ecommerce and affiliate content for the mobile app and web, which was a brilliant experience as this taught me a lot about affiliate revenue and marketing. I then landed my first position with Condé Nast as a Digital Content Marketing Executive, and now 12 months later, promoted to Digital Editor at Condé Nast Johansens, the publication which features and promotes a worldwide collection of luxury hotels, spas, and venues. A memorable success story was when I presented my final degree project to Anna Wintour. Another memorable success story is before my promotion when I was Digital Content Marketing Executive at Condé Nast, I had increased the audience on Condé Nast Johansens social media platform by more than 70%, all within twelve months.
This inspiring story must not have come easy, what were your greatest challenges and what would you have done differently, any regrets?
One of the biggest challenges was when I was first starting my career, doing back-to-back internships and finding my way to break into the industry. This particular industry is incredibly competitive, and I had to work hard for it – the build-up to chasing my dream career was sleepless nights and a 7-day working week, but it was worth it. Another challenge was keeping a positive mindset throughout the entire process, this was never easy of course, but at the end of the day, the challenges that I was facing just made me stronger and more determined to accomplish my goals. I always try to avoid regrets – this has been one of my biggest challenges because you never know what could happen tomorrow, people say – take the risk or lose the chance and I never want to have the regret of missing out on a chance I could have had. For example, when I receive invites to industry-led events, I always attend. The same goes for when I see a celebrated designer or industry figure – I will always try to introduce myself and spark a conversation, and never miss the opportunity. From what I have learned and the challenges I have faced, it is paramount to take every opportunity possible – because you never know what could happen the next day.
What skills are the most crucial to succeeding as a content creator, and where do you aspire to see your career in the future?
One of the most crucial skills in succeeding as a content creator is identifying what your audience is looking for; also researching, staying informed, and understanding what is relevant in your industry. See yourself as an idea machine whereby you can create ideas that will capture an audience and allow you to stand out against competitors.
In the future, I aspire to lead a business/publication and become a thought leader and mentor to others. I love taking on projects and working with people I can learn from – some of the most innovative thinkers in the industry work at Condé Nast, and that’s a big reason why I intend to progress my career here. I feel Condé Nast is the right place for me now and as I further enhance my career and learn from the team around me, I will be well-positioned to grab an opportunity with both hands when it arrives.
What does your day look like as a Digital Editor, any hobbies and leisures you would like to share with us?
I would start my day by picking up my regular coffee while on the way to my office. Arrive at my desk and start by reviewing my emails, communicating with PRs, planning consumer-targeted content, editing and publishing, and monitoring what is relevant and trending in the world today. I would check social activity from our digital audiences – alongside working on copywriting, editing, and proofreading content and ensuring that deadlines are met.
Some hobbies of mine that I enjoy… I am a car enthusiast, so I love motorsport. I also adore art and traveling, exploring different places, and discovering unique cultures. I am a big social person, so I value social activities. The leisure activities I enjoy are meeting my friends and going out for drinks like coffee, shakes, or even a glass of wine! Countryside visits, attending museums and exhibitions and even trying out new bars and restaurants.
What best inspiring advice do you have for young people looking to move into content creation?
I think the best advice I can give is to set yourself goals and don’t waste a single day, do something each day that will get you that one step closer to where you want to be. It could be something so simple as dropping an email to your role model in the industry or making a minor tweak to your CV. If you want something so badly, you need to work for it and not let life pass you by – to work hard is the ultimate key, believe in yourself, and dare to reach out to people whose work you admire. Don’t give up, and don’t think that because you’re starting from the ground, there is no chance; becoming an Editor and working for a company like Condé Nast was a dream I had when I was 13 – put the effort in and you will achieve what you deserve. Once achieving your goal, continue to set another goal and keep going – the road is never-ending – therefore, your opportunities are endless.
