Q&A with Josie Cook, 20Twenties Young Alumni Award winner 2025
In a short space of time, Josie Cook has gone from Otago graduate to high-flying marketing executive in London.
After graduating from Otago in 2022, Josie joined Nestlé’s NextGen Graduate Program, and in 2025 was a finalist for the Marketer of the Future in the YouTube NZ Marketing Awards.
While at University, Josie also represented Otago in rowing at international regattas in China and medalled at the NZ Rowing Championships. She served as Secretary of the Otago Commerce Students’ Association, led initiatives at the Social Impact Studio, and was named in the Dean’s List in 2021 (Commerce).
As well as her BCom in Marketing, Josie has a BSc in Genetics, and co-authored a scientific paper published in the prestigious international journal Molecular Microbiology.
Q: How did you react when you heard you had received the award, and what does it mean to you?
I was very surprised! I still feel relatively fresh out of university, even though it’s been five years, and sometimes, when I compare my path to others, I don’t feel like I’ve achieved that much. Receiving this award was a great reminder of how far I’ve come and has motivated me to keep moving forward.
To receive this award from a place that truly shaped me is especially meaningful. It’s an honour to be recognised by an institution that played such an important role in my journey.
Q: What path have you followed since graduation?
After graduating, I moved to the big smoke of Auckland and joined the Nestlé NZ NextGen Graduate Programme. I spent four and a half years at Nestlé, eventually moving into a full-time role within the Confectionery business unit. Working on brands like KitKat and Scorched Almonds was something I would have dreamed of as a kid. How cool is it to say you work for a chocolate company?
I loved my time in Auckland but recently made the move overseas to London to embark on a classic Kiwi OE! I’ve just started a new role as a European Brand Manager for a popular Pan-Asian brand – Blue Dragon.
Before settling into London life, I was fortunate enough to spend 10 weeks travelling across Europe and Central America, alongside the friends I made at Otago University. It was special to have the opportunity to travel the world with people who have been such an important part of my journey since university.
Q: What inspires and motivates you to work in your field?
I love working in food marketing. Food is such an essential part of people’s lives, from food security, to exploration and self-identification.
I love the creativity that comes with marketing and the way brands can show up in culture and become part of our lives. I love seeing contextual OOH (Out-of-Home) placements, clever advertising, innovative product launches, perfect-fit collaborations and novel packaging that spark conversation and create genuine brand love.
I’m very fortunate to genuinely love what I do. I love waking up and going to work every day and being surrounded by people who are equally passionate about creating great brands, products and experiences.
Q: What are your plans for the future?
I’ll be experiencing my first English winter, and having lived in Dunedin, I feel somewhat prepared for it! I’ve always loved travelling, so being based in London is incredibly exciting as Europe is only a short flight away.
As part of my role here, I am responsible for growing the European Pan-Asian segment. It's a challenging opportunity, as adoption of Pan-Asian cuisine is not yet as developed as it is in the UK and New Zealand, but that’s what makes it so exciting.
I’m also looking forward to meeting and connecting with the wider marketing community in London, learning from others and building a new network in the industry.
Q: Tell us about the highlights of your time at Otago, and how it has influenced you in your career?
I loved my time at Otago University. I met lifelong friends and made some of my best memories there, but it also had a huge influence on my career.
There is something so special about Otago and the collective spirit that comes from shared experiences, from brutally cold mornings and long exam seasons to the many social outings. It teaches you a unique sense of resilience and adaptability that I don’t think you can get anywhere else.
You leave Otago feeling like you can walk into any room or team, engage with diverse individuals and work together to achieve something.
My 300-level Marketing papers were particularly transformational and really cemented my love for marketing. MART333 with Wiebke [Finkler] was a personal highlight, where we ideated and developed creative work for a local business.
The exposure to real-world business was embedded throughout our courses and was instrumental in sparking my interest in the wider world of marketing. Our lecturers were not only passionate about the courses they taught, but also about helping students navigate life after university.
Maree Thyne, now Dean, and HOD Lisa McNeill, introduced me to the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods industry and opened my eyes to what initially seemed like the daunting world of graduate job applications. I’m incredibly grateful for their leadership, guidance and advice in this space.