Editor’s note: In this ongoing series, INMA is profiling our most engaged members — our super fans — to give members a chance to learn more about each other. Today we profile Tarrence Karmelia Kontessa Palar, brand communication and community manager for Kompas Daily in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Previous experiences have informed how Tarrence Karmelia Kontessa Palar handles brand communication activities in different situations. “I am excited about how these [skills] could be sharpened and carried out after the pandemic,” said Palar, brand communication and community manager for Kompas Daily. 

Some of the interesting challenges Palar is excited about include deploying activities that have an impact on the brands she works with and are useful and relevant for society, especially in the digital and pandemic era.

INMA caught up with her recently to learn more about what she’s been working on and what’s ahead. 

INMA: What big lesson have you learned over the past couple of years that helped shape your plans going forward?

Palar: I’ve learned that it is important to understand our customer journey through digital channels. There are so many insights we could get by knowing it better. I hope these lessons help me carry out some brand marketing activities that engage better with various customers.

INMA: If you had your career to do over again, what would you want to know in the beginning?

Palar: I would really want to know if my career could lead me to fulfil my passion for learning digital branding strategy and community development.

INMA: What makes you excited to get out of bed in the morning?

Palar: Exercise. Then find ideas that you immediately want to discuss ideas and write them down as a to-do list.

INMA: What is the craziest job or project you’ve ever done in media — and what did you learn from it? 

Palar: Preparing Kompas Daily’s annual branding narrative and tactical programme was one of the craziest jobs I’ve ever had in the media. This narrative will serve as the umbrella for all Kompas Daily brand and product communication activities in the coming year. This is difficult because it was previously supported by a full-service advertising agency. Everything has been done in-house in recent years, from strategy development to working on brand and product communication activities, placement, and broadcasting across multiple channels. 

It taught me the importance of better time management, partial support from third parties, and technological features that could speed up work. 

INMA: What success within your company are you most proud of right now? 

Palar: I am glad for my opportunities in understanding various programmes and activities in the company. What I am proud of right now is I could initiate some corporate programmes and activities to participate in local, national, and international media competitions.

INMA: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your career?

Palar: Shaping and developing someone to be a better person is priceless.

INMA: What do you do to relax?

Palar: Chilling with my family and travelling with them. Reading and watching films at home, managing my reading and writing community. Writing poetry and short stories.

INMA: If you hadn’t gone into news media, what was your backup plan?

Palar: Teaching at the university, arranging my reading community at home, or writing things I like. 

INMA: What is your favourite thing to read?

Palar: Short stories, histories, creative writings.

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