Career Profile: Amanda Shapin, Cosmopolitan and Seventeen
Meet Amanda Shapin, senior integrated marketing manager at Cosmopolitan & Seventeen. Amanda is also a health and wellness blogger at the aptly named blog, Shapin’ Up and a fitness instructor at Equinox. She previously worked at “Bravo,” “AMC Networks,” Lucky, and SELF. Amanda was recently named one of “Bravo’s” 5 health and fitness experts you should be following.
How did you end up at Hearst Magazines? What was your career path?
I had always wanted to work in magazines and interned at a few during college. All of my internships and interests were in editorial, but after graduating I found myself in a role on the publishing side. I wanted to work for a magazine so badly that I took the first gig I could get, which happened to be in marketing at Lucky. While it wasn’t the type of role I envisioned for myself, it turned out to be a perfect role for me: a mix of business, writing and events. After a few years at Lucky, I wanted to expand my media experience and worked in television (first at “Bravo” then at “AMC Networks”), before ultimately making my way back to publishing. I now work for Cosmo and Seventeen.
What are your responsibilities as senior integrated marketing manager for Cosmopolitan and Seventeen?
At both publications, I work with sales reps to create integrated programs that bring advertising into the magazines. I write program proposals that include advertorials, events, social components, digital, and so on. Once we get an advertiser to buy paging in the magazine or space on the website, I execute the program elements. I love that it’s a combination of strategic business and creative work.
What is a typical day like for you? Walk me through a day!
I wake up at 5:30 am to tackle my side job number one: teaching cycling at Equinox. I love starting my day with a high energy workout, it makes me so much more awake and motivated throughout the rest of the day. If I’m not teaching a class, I’m likely getting in an early morning training session for a triathlon or marathon.
I’m at my office by 9 am, and my day is made up of a combination of brainstorming new program ideas and activating programs that are live (anything from a photo shoot, to an influencer program, to event planning). In a typical day I’ll interface with sales reps, clients, my marketing team, and maybe even a YouTube star or two!
After work, I’ll either have plans with friends or I’ll set aside time to work on my fitness blog, ShapinUp.
What is your favourite thing about working at Cosmo and Seventeen?
The categories are super fun to work on. When I was a teen, I was obsessed with Seventeen and when I was a bit older, I was a Cosmo reader, so it’s great to work on a brand that I believe in. I also love my coworkers. You’re with your coworkers more than anyone else in a typical day so it is key to surround yourself with people you actually like! I’m very fortunate that many of my coworkers have become my friends.
You are also the founder of the health and wellness-focused blog Shapin Up. What inspired you to start a blog?
Because I never became a magazine editor, as I had one day hoped, I started my blog as a way to be creative and get to write, even if it wasn’t my full-time job. I have been very into health and wellness for as long as I can remember. Friends were always asking me for workout tips, recipes, and general fitness advice so instead of giving them one-off answers, I decided to create ShapinUp.com as a go-to source for wellness advice. Of course, I still welcome health questions from friends and family, but the blog allows me to spread my passion to a wider audience.
What is your favourite thing about blogging?
Blogging has been a great way to explore NYC and to meet new people. Coming up with new content forces me out of my comfort zone and has made me more adventurous. I’ve made a bunch of blogging friends and it’s been an awesome way to find other people who share similar passions. I also love that I can be creative and am totally in charge of the content.
You are also a spin instructor at Equinox. How do you manage your full-time job, blogging, teaching classes, and your social life?
It’s a busy day! I am perpetually sleep-deprived, but it’s worth it. Working out is super important to me and leading classes is a great way to ensure I will not skip a workout! I’ve found that prioritization and focus is key for fitting in my job, cycling, blogging, and a social life. That being said, keeping a good balance is still something I struggle with, it’s always a work in progress.
What is on your desk right now?
Coffee, water (need to stay hydrated), pictures of my pup Ollie, and a bunch of beauty products I need to photograph for a Seventeen client. I’m shooting an Instagram Takeover for a brand where I shoot and caption the images and they post them on their Insta, as endorsed by Seventeen, it’s one of my favourite activations to work on.
What are your favourite fitness studios and classes in the city?
As an Equinox employee, I know I am biased, but I really truly love Equinox! The facilities are amazing and kept it prime condition, and there are so many different types of challenging classes. With 30+ locations in New York, if you’re an all-access member, pretty much at any time of day you can find a class you want to take. They are constantly introducing new group fitness class formats to keep things fresh.
I love trying boutique studios and checking out what everyone is offering, but my heart and muscles always go back to Equinox.
What advice do you have for other young professional women?
Get out there and make it happen! Something I’ve learned over the years is that you need to look out for yourself and make yourself heard. You want a promotion or raise? You need to pitch yourself and not be afraid to ask for what you want, otherwise how will anyone know you even want it? Don’t hold yourself back, be brave and speak up.
Thank you, Amanda!
By: Elana Lyn Gross, of elanalyn.com
