IB Woman
Issue No. 27 - February/March
Comfort zone – what comfort zone?
Hermine Bergmann
by Penelope Herbert
Taking on the role of General Manager of one of Adelaide’s most iconic marketing companies is a challenge that Hermine Bergmann relishes. Jarvis Marketing was owned by former Lord Mayor, Jim Jarvis and his wife, Skye, but the dynamic duo decided to hand over the reins so as to enjoy a level of semi-retirement.
Having been ‘poached’ from Channel 9 where she was the Sponsorship and Promotions Manager, Hermine says the move was timely.
“I was very happy at Channel 9 and loved my job,” she says, “but I decided to put myself out there, take on a challenge and see what I could do.”
Taking on challenging roles is not new for the woman who brings to Adelaide 20 years’ experience working in the vibrant and fast-paced Sydney environment.
Past employers have included Fox Columbia Tri-Star Films, Radio 2SM, BMG records — where she won the Promotions Manager of The Year award — and Imax Adelaide, where her launch strategy won her an international marketing award. Hermine also ran her own public relations agency for nearly five years, sharing her time between Adelaide and Sydney.
Three months into the role, Hermine says her biggest challenges to date have been adjusting to working with a staff of six, rather than a cast of thousands, and to understanding the Jarvis Marketing niche client base.
“This is a different industry sector for me as Jarvis Marketing specialises in construction and property development clients,” Hermine explains. “I have been invigorated by reading different magazines, different sections of the newspaper and the sometimes lengthy company briefs that enable me to fully understand each client.”
Jim and Skye have provided mentoring for Hermine and she says it’s comforting to know they are just a phone call away. However, she immerses herself in client business and needs to have the confidence to answer ‘curve ball’ questions.
Her focus is on research an...
