Meet the Speaker: One of our Rock Star Presenters at the upcoming Social Media for Utilities Conference in Chicago
ComEd
Q: Name, title, company?
A: Sabrina Potirala, Senior E-Channels Program Manager, Social Media, ComEd
Q: Family, hometown, where you live?
A: I grew up around the Chicago-land area! My mother immigrated from Europe when she was 10, and I went to the same high school that my mom and dad went to. Coincidentally, my mom and dad were high school sweethearts, and I also married my own high school sweetheart!
Q: What is your Utility experience?
A: I’ve had the pleasure of running social media accounts for all sorts of industries including environmentally focused products, to pool supplies, to car mats! I have almost 10 years of experience in the realm of social, and about two years in the utility space.
Q: What do you like to do when you’re not working? Hobbies?
A: I love to give back to the community when I can. In the past year, I’ve painted a museum, planted sustainable gardens and trees with GardenWorks, helped to rehabilitate previously abused dogs at Safe Humane in Chicago, and traveled to Guatemala with Hug It Forward to build a school out of recycled bottles. I also love spending time with my own dogs, and although they are small, we love to go hiking together. I admittedly also have an extreme case of wanderlust, so I love traveling and exploring new places whenever possible.
Q: Notable achievements?
A: The ComEd social media team was recently awarded the Best Overall Social Media Marketing Campaign by MEA. Our “Powering Lives Network” promoted campaign is intended to promote ComEd’s new Powering Lives Network blog. The purpose of the campaign is to serve as a support for ComEd’s thought leadership strategy, which is to position the company as a leader in the community and the industry. The campaign showcases how we are pushing boundaries and innovating by highlighting all of our brand pillars, which include innovating and delivering for our customers, engaging our communities, and driving the clean energy future.
Q: Where do you see Social Media in utilities in two years?
A: I think social media will continue to be a focal point when it comes to customer service at utilities. I think chat bots will become more present in the social media space, and many of our customers are coming to social media no matter the time of day or night in search of assistance.
Q: What is your biggest challenge?
A: To step outside of our comfort zone a bit so that we can continue to leverage new and fun social innovations!
Q: What did you do prior to working in your utility?
A: My previous role was an Internet Marketing Specialist role at WeatherTech.
Q: Who are a couple of your role models (and why)?
A: Honestly, my husband is a role model of mine. He constantly inspires me with the way he encourages me and others to succeed. He genuinely wants to see others reach their maximum potential.
Q: What is one of your big goals?
A: I yearn to constantly evolve, and am driven by the desire to acquire and apply new knowledge in a creative way. One of my biggest goals is to continue to be a positive influence on the world.
Q: What is the biggest misconception you run into in your role?
A: A lot of people I meet who do not have a social media/marketing background always say, “How fun! I wish I could play on Facebook all day!” While my job certainly is fun and I love it, there is definitely a challenge to it. There is more technical knowledge that goes into my position than I think many people realize. .
