Lura Clayton, Account Manager at MOjO Marketing

For Lura Clayton, her current career came as the result of wanting to see what happens after a sale is made. Clayton is an account manager at MOjO Marketing, dedicated to the Mondelēz account.

“I switched career paths after five years mostly because I wanted to be more involved in what happens after the sale is completed. I didn’t feel that I got the gratification that you get after something is finished. The account management side let me follow programs to the end,” Clayton said.

Born and raised in El Dorado, Clayton decided to go to UA Fayetteville to pursue a degree in advertising and public relations. A Chi Omega sorority alum, Clayton met tons of lifelong friends while pursuing her degree and moved to Dallas, where she got her first job in sales.

Clayton soon married her husband, Blake, who is also from El Dorado. Clayton and her husband welcomed a baby girl, Vivian, last April, and the Razorback fans own a golden retriever named Sooie. In her spare time, Clayton plays golf and was a two-time state champion in golf during high school. Clayton also surrounds herself with music and plays guitar. Music is a hobby that her family all takes part in.

Clayton shared her day-to-day routine as an account manager with a shopper marketing agency.

“For the last two years, I’ve worked to support the Mondelēz account, or Nabisco, as they’re publicly known. They produce brands like Sour Patch Kids, OREO, RITZ and Chips Ahoy!, to name a few,” Clayton said. “My day starts with quality time alone before I wake up the baby and get out the door. It sets the tone for my day. A lot of my day is spent in and out of meetings with our clients, and executing shopper marketing programs, specifically on the Walmart account.”

Clayton works closely with her client to align on budgets, KPIs and program objectives. 

“I’ll then meet with media third parties that we use to promote the programs. We oversee everything to the end to ensure it was a successful campaign and that it performed well. I’m on-site two days a week, building a close relationship with our clients. I like to make notes and organize my day early on, creating momentum. Each day is not the same. Some days will be setting up something as simple as digital couponing offers, other days we are managing large-scale retailtainment events,” Clayton said. 

Clayton discussed some of the challenges that she’s faced.

“Personally, juggling being a mom and excelling in career goals at the same time has been challenging. I’m constantly striving to be a good employee, mother, wife, friend. Career-wise, one of the biggest challenges is meeting business goals and working with your team to overcome obstacles that come up. Listening and understanding the clients’ needs is also so important. Their success is my success,” Clayton said. 

Alternatively, Clayton shared some of the successes that she’s had. 

“I started out at MOjO as a project manager, eager to learn. About six months ago, I got promoted to account manager. With that promotion I started managing a larger budget and taking on more projects,” Clayton said. “I’ve also had the opportunity to work on some large scale projects with individuals and brands such as Joe Buck, Stranger Things, Netflix,  and NBA player Trae Young. I also enjoy engaging in community programs with Boys and Girls Club, the DEB Project and Dress for Success.” 

Clayton offered a word of advice to individuals hoping to pursue a similar career.

“In my particular line of work, we encounter problems that seem impossible to solve, but instead of giving up, strive for a solution. Continuously be learning, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you don’t have an answer, acknowledge that and acknowledge that you’ll find it. Believe in yourself because if you don’t, no one else will,” Clayton said.

Finally, Clayton shared some of the life lessons that she has learned.

“I had a professor in college tell me this, but I’ve always remembered it because I’ve struggled with being anxious my whole life. People tend to confuse excitement with anxiety. It’s like the feeling you get before you get on a rollercoaster. It’s easy to confuse the two feelings. Maybe you’re not as anxious as you think you are — maybe you’re just excited,” Clayton said. “Another life lesson was learned when I was in 4th grade. I was diagnosed with alopecia and lost all of my hair. Being so young when that happened, it taught me the importance of looking deeper into what you love about yourself and others. Every few months, a mother will reach out to me about her child’s hair loss and it gives me an opportunity to pour into others who are going through something I have survived and am still currently navigating. It reminds me there are brighter days ahead, and there’s so much more to people than what you see at a glance.” 

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