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Unmind's brand and comms lead Oliver Matejka on the importance of mental health and why culture is key
Find out what the marketing expert had to say below!
Please intro yourself
Hi I’m Oliver. I work as brand and communications lead at Unmind, the workplace mental health platform.
What inspired you to get into marketing?
At sixth form I studied an unusual blend: art, business studies, and IT. Combine the three, I calculated, and you get marketing.
I’ve always been fascinated by the power of language to connect with people. A psychologist recently suggested this probably stemmed from the stutter I had growing up. Much of the course itself wasn’t hugely inspiring (I could only get so excited about the price point of a cup of coffee), but it gave me space to read widely. Discovering centuries of wisdom – from Dostoyevsky to Dawkins – enriched my outlook more than most degrees could have, and left me better prepared for a career in brand and communications.
What are your memories of your first job and how did you get it?
I was working full-time in an entry-level position on £12k at a publisher in London, baffled by the professional jargon. (I remember hearing the term ‘moving forward’ so often I assumed it was a product or campaign.)
One early moment could’ve come straight out of Dickens novel. I was walking five miles to the office – too skint for the bus. It was tipping down and my boss was keen to know where the hell I was. The moment I picked up the pace I lost my footing on a drain and twisted my knee. I was immobile, in pain, rooted to the spot directly outside the Houses of Parliament, getting slowly wetter while watching Big Ben tick by.
But two years later I moved onto the editorial desk as a journalist. I absolutely loved it and couldn’t believe my luck.
What things do you know now that you wish you knew in the early stages of your career?
Don’t worry about having a rigid plan. If you work hard, take on responsibility, and treat people (and yourself) well, opportunities will follow. Authenticity and relationships matter far more than a perfect plan.
How do you think brands can cut through amongst the constant social scroll and content churn?
People often play it too safe, especially under pressure to hit targets. The idea is this means incremental gains, but often just leads to dull work and missed opportunities.
Good marketing is about making a connection with your audience – educating, enlightening, entertaining. If you can do that, results follow.
Can you tell us about Unmind and what you do there?
Unmind is a workplace mental health platform. We combine human expertise, digital innovation, and proven science to give every person the right support – from therapists, coaches and crisis experts to AI coaching, 24/7 learning and development programs, and mental health data insights.
But it’s not just about supporting individuals. We also help leaders build sustainable, engaging cultures. We believe in proactively nurturing good mental health, rather than waiting until illness sets in. When companies do this, their people can perform – and so do their businesses.
My job is to communicate this idea to our audiences, and to champion a healthier, more human approach to work.
What’s a typical day like? And do you have any routines to get through the day?
Wake up and head out for a run around Plymouth, where I’m spending this lockdown. This clears my head, often dislodges ideas and gives me energy.
I’ll then get into writing or creative strategy work, before moving into a mix of collaborative projects, agency check-ins, and planning. Lockdown evenings are usually for cooking, reading, watching films or writing.
Mental health is something everyone has to be aware of, particularly in the last 12 months. What kind of things can companies do to help their staff?
Culture is key. Especially for young people starting out, it’s so important to create an environment where people feel included and supported. Ultimately this leads to better-performing, more creative and happier employees – which makes sense on both a human and an economic level.
Leaders set the tone – by modelling healthy practices, showing emotional intelligence and genuinely caring for their people. Mental health and supportive policies should be standard, not perks.
What advice would you give to young people who want to work in marketing and at Unmind?
It’s competitive, yes. But you don’t always need to compete with educational background or even experience. What will make you stand out – especially in a marketing role – is demonstrating you can solve the problem the employer wants to fix. Show you understand their challenge, and show you care.
What are your plans for 2021 and beyond?
Returning to London after lockdown in Devon, running the Rome marathon (COVID-permitting), and continuing to grow Unmind’s voice in the market.
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