Continuing from the previous session, this time we bring you the second half of [Was the First Year Just ‘Emotional’? Three Peers Entering Their Third Year Share Their Stories]!

What are their thoughts on work and their future goals as they enter their third year? Please read until the end.

[Member Introduction]

Public Relations Business Headquarters / Division 2 / Department 1 / Group 2: Koichiro Sakai
Public Relations Business Headquarters / Division 2 / Department 3 / Group 1: Aya Ueno
Public Relations Business Headquarters / Division 2 / Department 4 / Group 2: Maya Nicole Hayashi

Successes and Challenges

Ueno: I love media, whether it’s magazines or the web, so I am truly happy to be in a job where I can meet the people behind that media. Specifically, it makes me very happy to see a project I worked on featured in a magazine I like.

Nicole: Sometimes we are involved in drafting and proofreading the text, so it really is rewarding.

Ueno: There were times when I struggled because I couldn’t clearly summarize what I wanted to convey to the media, but things became much easier once I shifted my approach to simply enjoying the conversation with them. Now, there are many media contacts I’m on good terms with, and it’s a lot of fun. However, since we are an agency, it is challenging to stand between the client and the media and make adjustments while taking both of their intentions into account.

Nicole: I struggled with writing press releases. To begin with, I wasn’t very good at writing, so it was really difficult at first. I wonder how many hours it took the first time I wrote one… (laughs).

Ueno: Nicole and I have also been involved with “SDGs MAGAZINE” since our first year. When we heard at the SUNNY SIDE UP Kick-off Meeting (*1) that they were looking for editorial staff, we said “Let’s do it!” and sent a message together.

Nicole: Even though I used to be bad at writing, I now work as a writer for “SDGs MAGAZINE.” I felt that it wouldn’t be good to keep thinking I was bad at it when I’d be writing press releases and proofreading manuscripts as a professional, so I decided to take on the challenge with Aya (Ueno). At the time, my personal interest in ethical issues was very high, so I’m still glad I took the leap. Being able to write from a media perspective has also improved the quality of my press releases.

Sakai: I have many happy memories, but three in particular stand out.

The first was when I became involved with my favorite anime series, and the person in charge of that project told me, “You really do love this series, don’t you?”

The second was having the opportunity to visit the office of a company I admired and present my own project directly to their employees.

The third was when we exhibited at Tokyo Comic Con 2022 and I was able to talk to people who actually bought what we created. Regarding the third point, while I usually check reviews on social media, I rarely had the chance to hear raw feedback from actual purchasers, so that made me very happy.

(Note 1) What is the Kick-off Meeting?
An event where all members of the SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP look back on the highlights of the previous fiscal year and share the goals and vision for the current term.

▼ Click here for related articles:
[The 38th Term Starts Today!] Group Kick-off Meeting Report: This Term’s Theme is “NEW ERA”—Towards a New Age

Future Goals

Sakai: I want to create not just “things” (products) to sell, but also “experiences.” For the past few years, many people spent money on products due to the pandemic, but now events and travel have returned. While people often think we just make and sell products, the planning is actually very important. Manufacturing comes after the planning stage; for example, planning something that leads to a consumer experience and then selling a “product” there. I have some projects in mind right now, and I get excited just imagining the moment they take shape.

Nicole: I want to work using English. Most recently, I was in charge of the “Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2023 (*2),” which was a hot topic in Japan, as the person facing the client. Facing a client for the first time, I learned a lot from the differences compared to Japanese methods. Things that are standard in Japan might be novel to those overseas, and the nature of the media is completely different… I felt that working with overseas clients would broaden my horizons in many ways. I expect outbound and inbound projects to increase, so I want to work hard to improve my skills while communicating with many international clients and media outlets.

Ueno: I want to communicate the charms of the world that are not yet well-known, such as overseas brands launching in Japan or small businesses within Japan. When I joined the company, my goal was to “move hearts by using my heart,” and that hasn’t changed. In PR, I want to be someone who can convey appeal with sincerity, valuing the curiosity that makes me want to learn about those products and people first.

(Note 2) Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2023
An awards ceremony hosted by Crunchyroll, LLC, which provides anime and manga in over 200 countries and regions. It honors anime works, characters, and creators selected by votes from anime fans worldwide. This 7th edition was held in Japan for the first time.

Message to Job Seekers

Ueno: When you are job hunting, there are many moments when things don’t go as planned, you lose confidence, or you feel like it’s too hard. In fact, I didn’t do well at all and felt discouraged many times. Looking back now, however, the job-hunting period was a time when I could really face myself, and I feel that the working styles I liked and the places I encountered after that time were meant to be.

I moved from the Kansai region to Tokyo when I joined SUNNY SIDE UP. You gradually get used to the change in environment, and being a working professional is a lot of fun. I want you to fully enjoy your current environment and the things you can only do now, so that you can enjoy the next step without regrets.

Nicole: I want to tell you that you don’t have to try to fit the “correct answer” of the company you are interviewing with. I believe that being able to enjoy your work and find it meaningful comes from working at a company that appreciates the real you. I think the best thing is to work at a company that accepts you as you are, so I want you to follow the path you believe in.

Also, your lifestyle changes surprisingly much once you become a working professional, so please go to the places you want to go without regrets! Especially overseas. Since the pandemic has finally subsided, I highly recommend it as an option. I believe the sights you see with your own eyes will come in handy in various situations in the future!

Sakai: I think it’s easy to fall into negative thinking during job hunting. It took me quite a while to get a job offer, and I often felt down. That’s why, looking back, I think it’s important to switch your mindset without being too pressured or too discouraged. I think it’s okay to be positive and do what you want to do, with the feeling that most things will work out in the end!

Also, I think you can learn the specifics of the job after you actually join the company, so just play as much as you can until you graduate! (laughs)

In this article, we brought you a conversation between three people who, while friendly and harmonious, are full of passion for PR.

At SUNNY SIDE UP, a diverse group of unique members is waiting for you! Why not join us and Let’s Have Fun!