Pioneering Social Media & Digital Marketing Talent — How We Saw Potential Early (2012) The Challenge
In 2012, social media and digital marketing were emerging fields — with no clear playbook, limited experienced talent, and a lot of skepticism from traditional marketing circles.
Most companies were experimenting cautiously, unsure how to hire for roles that barely existed a few years prior. The market lacked professionals with hands-on experience in social media platforms, digital campaigns, analytics, or performance-driven marketing strategies.
Recruiters and agencies alike struggled to identify adaptable talent who could grow with this fast-evolving industry
- The Solution
At Hidden Gems Finder, we believed that potential mattered more than experience — especially in new, rapidly developing industries.
- Case 1: Spotting a Social Media Pioneer
While conducting market research, we discovered a young professional who was promoting computer hardware on Facebook — purely out of personal interest.
Though she didn’t hold a formal marketing title, her self-taught understanding of social platforms and proactive communication skills caught our attention.
We placed her as a Social Media Executive at MEC (now Wavemaker) — trusting her mindset, curiosity, and drive over her resume credentials.
Though she didn’t hold a formal marketing title, her self-taught understanding of social platforms and proactive communication skills caught our attention.
We placed her as a Social Media Executive at MEC (now Wavemaker) — trusting her mindset, curiosity, and drive over her resume credentials.
- Case 2: Backing a Young Digital Marketer
In the same year, we met a recent marketing graduate with one year of experience and a strong passion for digital platforms.
Despite lacking big-brand exposure, his curiosity and eagerness to learn stood out.
We placed him at Cheil Worldwide (Samsung’s in-house agency) as a Digital Marketing Executive, knowing his potential would flourish with the right opportunity.
Despite lacking big-brand exposure, his curiosity and eagerness to learn stood out.
We placed him at Cheil Worldwide (Samsung’s in-house agency) as a Digital Marketing Executive, knowing his potential would flourish with the right opportunity.
- The Outcome
Both placements became success stories:
- The social media executive quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a director within 6 years, and her agency became a long-term client of ours for over 8 years.
- The digital marketing executive mastered key skills in performance marketing, content strategy, and e-commerce — eventually rising to become the Regional Head of Digital & E-commerce at Samsung. Today, he remains a valued client and industry leader.
- The Impact
These early success stories reinforced a core belief at Hidden Gems Finder:
“Great talent isn’t always visible — but it’s always worth discovering.”
Our ability to see beyond the resume, recognize raw potential, and trust our instincts in emerging talent spaces helped us build not just careers, but long-standing partnerships that continue to grow.
“Great talent isn’t always visible — but it’s always worth discovering.”
Our ability to see beyond the resume, recognize raw potential, and trust our instincts in emerging talent spaces helped us build not just careers, but long-standing partnerships that continue to grow.