Emily In Paris… She's Not Your Typical Marketing Girly

Before you watch the new season… Let’s Talk Social.

Yes, Emily in Paris is back with a new season, but let’s be real: if you think it shows what working in the marketing world is like, you're in for a surprise. While the show is undeniably entertaining, it paints a picture of a marketing career that's as glamorous as it is unrealistic. Let's break down the reality vs. the fantasy of Emily’s marketing life.

The Illusion of Autonomy

In the world of Emily in Paris, our protagonist pitches million-dollar ideas, attends fabulous events, and seems to have full creative control. She’s the embodiment of spontaneity, often running with her ideas and making them a reality in record time.

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But in the real world of marketing, especially within an agency setting like Savoir, things don’t work this way.

Every single idea in marketing goes through layers of approvals. And by layers, I mean LAYERS. Supervisors, directors, business owners—all have a say, and more often than not, your original idea will be adjusted, changed, or even denied. This process can take months, not days or weeks as the show suggests. In reality, spontaneity is a luxury few can afford, and every decision is meticulously planned, reviewed, and revised.

Social Media: Not As Simple As It Seems

Emily’s rise to social media stardom is another element that’s more fantasy than fact. In the first season, she starts with 48 followers and, after a few selfies and life updates, she’s suddenly a 20k influencer. While this makes for great TV, it’s not how social media works.

Building a presence on social media takes time, effort, and strategy. It's not just about posting pretty pictures; it's about understanding your audience, crafting the right content, engaging with followers, and analyzing performance. Becoming an influencer doesn’t happen overnight, and certainly not by simply documenting your day-to-day life. In today’s saturated market, everyone’s aiming to go viral, making it even harder to stand out.

The Reality of Budget Constraints

Let’s talk budgets. Yes, Savoir is working in Paris with luxury brands like Rimowa, but the typical marketing agency doesn’t have the kind of clients or the massive marketing dollars that Emily seems to have at her disposal. The show makes it seem like budget constraints are a non-issue, but in real life, budgets are everything. 

Marketing professionals spend a significant amount of time negotiating budgets, maximizing limited resources, and finding creative ways to stretch every dollar. The idea that you can just whip up a high-end campaign without considering the financial implications is, frankly, a fantasy.

The Disconnect Between Fiction and Reality

The charm of Emily in Paris lies in its portrayal of a dream marketing job—one where creativity flows freely, ideas are instantly approved, and social media success is just a selfie away. But the truth is, marketing is much more complex and challenging than the show portrays. It requires a deep understanding of demographics, analytics, consumer behavior, market research, and a lot of experience—none of which is truly reflected in Emily’s journey.

The Impact on Aspiring Marketers

As someone who's conducted numerous interviews in a marketing agency, I can tell you that Emily in Paris has inspired many young women to pursue careers in marketing. But with that inspiration comes a set of unrealistic expectations. When these aspiring marketers enter the workforce, they often find themselves disillusioned when the job doesn’t match the fantasy.

Marketing isn’t just about attending glamorous events and pitching creative ideas. It’s about hard work, strategic thinking, and navigating the often complex world of approvals, budgets, and analytics. The sooner we can separate the fiction of Emily in Paris from the reality of a marketing career, the better equipped we’ll be to succeed in this industry.

Conclusion: Enjoy the Show, But Know the Reality

Emily in Paris is fun, fashionable, and full of drama, but it’s important to remember that it’s just that—a show. It’s an escape, a romanticized version of what a career in marketing could be in a perfect world. But in the real world, marketing is a lot less glamorous and a lot more challenging. So enjoy the show, but don’t be fooled by its portrayal of the marketing world. The reality is far more complex, but also, in its own way, just as rewarding.

Written By: Aylin Madrigal - Chief Marketing & Operations Officer at Brand Geniuz