Our Digital Specialist, Selma Ucar, joined Bluebird Media over a year ago and hasn't looked back since.

And what a journey it's been. From Helsinki to Stockholm, Selma crossed the pond earlier this spring to relocate from one Bluebird office to another, an opportunity open to all our fellow birds.

We sat down with Selma to talk about how she has experienced the move from one Bluebird office to another, how the swap has broadened her perspective on digital marketing, and to learn some of her favorite highlights from living in a new city.

Tell us about your journey and what inspired you to join Bluebird Media.

Previously, I primarily worked in-house, handling various tasks related to sales, business development, and marketing. However, my role was often quite generic, requiring me to assist wherever I was needed the most. While it may sound exciting, this also meant that I lacked clear responsibilities and deep expertise in any particular area. The decision to apply to an agency stemmed from my desire to deepen my knowledge within the field of marketing.

During my search, I stumbled upon Bluebird's job application on LinkedIn and instantly felt that the role description aligned with my aspirations. Although I was unfamiliar with the company at the time, I took a leap of faith and decided to apply. Fortunately, it turned out to be a great decision! I have now been working as a Digital Specialist in Paid Search at Bluebird for a year, and I can confidently say that joining this agency was the right choice. From day one, I have been consistently impressed by the culture and the high level of expertise at Bluebird. It has truly been the perfect environment for personal development, fostering strong relationships with amazing colleagues, and creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime.

Why did you decide to move to Stockholm from Helsinki, and how has the transition been from one Bluebird office to another?

One of the compelling aspects that stood out to me during the recruitment process was the close collaboration among Bluebird's three offices - Stockholm, Helsinki, and Oslo - despite their geographical separation across different countries. This is something unique to Bluebird, as companies often have offices worldwide, but they rarely maintain strong connections between colleagues in different locations. I saw this as a great opportunity. For some time, I had wanted to experience working and living in a foreign country, and now, it seemed like the perfect chance to turn that wish into reality.

Shortly after joining Bluebird, I expressed my interest in working from the Stockholm office, and I was pleasantly surprised by the level of support and encouragement I received. The transition was very smooth, thanks to the existing collaboration between the offices and my prior acquaintance with colleagues in Sweden.

What, in your opinion, are the biggest perks of the opportunity to swap between offices and teams?

Moving abroad can be quite lonely in the beginning. However, having an office filled with welcoming colleagues, most of whom I already knew, was truly a lifesaver. From day one, I’ve felt like I have people around me to lean on and ask for help whenever I need it. While all three offices share similarities in terms of processes and ways of working, each possesses its own unique culture and atmosphere. I consider myself fortunate to be a part of these two distinct worlds.

Following the transition, I was able to seamlessly continue working on the same projects and clients as before. I didn't have to start from scratch in that regard. Basically, what changed was the environment and people around me. Engaging in conversations and learning from individuals with diverse backgrounds has allowed me to broaden my perspective on the digital marketing sphere and gain insights from a vast spectrum of cases. I still maintain close communication with the Finnish team, sharing my experiences and learnings from the Stockholm office, and vice versa. 

What have been some highlights from your stay in Stockholm so far?

The Stockholm office is very lively, and it feels like there's always something exciting happening each week. The people here are not just colleagues - they genuinely enjoy each other's company both inside and outside of work. This consequently means it is easy to find some company to hang with. I must say that the individuals I've had the privilege of meeting and getting to know better have been the true highlight of my time here. 

And let's be honest – living in a new city is exciting with lots of new things to see and places to visit. Stockholm has by far exceeded my expectations and I can easily envision myself living here for many years to come.