Peter Gandolfo, Senior Marketing Manager

Peter Gandolfo, Senior Marketing Manager, Mattel, Inc

Undergraduate Degree and Major:
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology and Pre-Professional Studies

Graduate School(s) / Degree(s) / Year(s):
UCLA Anderson/MBA/2003

As a senior marketing manager, I lead a team in developing and marketing a new line of toys twice a year. This requires having the interpersonal skills to partner with and guide cross-functional team members with diverse backgrounds, skill sets, and communication styles. I need to be able to identify opportunities within the market, develop a product that fills that unmet need, and effectively communicate the benefits of this product to my internal stakeholders, retailers, and the consumer—all while ensuring that we make a profit. I manage my brand like it's its own business. My MBA gave me the comprehensive skill set and confidence to manage my work from multiple perspectives beyond the traditional idea of marketing, including finance, operations, and human resources.

I love the diversity and breadth of projects. No two days are alike. I could be knee deep in excel analyzing data in the morning and brainstorming ideas for the next action figure or princess doll in the afternoon.

Working in a marketing-driven organization also means taking responsibility for tasks that don't naturally fit into the marketing bucket. It requires navigating a delicate balance between empowering your teammates to take ownership and being prepared to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

I've worked in creative organizations, and I've worked in analytical organizations. Neither one was fully satisfying. I knew I wanted a job that would allow me to leverage my creative and analytical sides, and a career in marketing was the best way for me to do this.

My experience in advertising gave me the foundation in one pillar of marketing: promotion. I needed to round this out with a solid understanding of the other tenets of marketing. I also needed to develop my ability in other areas of business, including finance, marketing, and human resources, so I could have the skill set to grow into a leadership position.

Assistant Product Marketing Manager, Ford Motor Company

You need to be flexible, because customers, competitors, and your company are always changing. You need to empathize and connect with people who may not see things the same way you do because you can't succeed on your own. And even if you are not the target consumer, you need to believe that your product offers a worthwhile benefit to the people who will use it.

A lot of the traits I mention above apply to business school too. Working well in teams is super important. If you prefer to do everything on your own, consider another path. Most importantly, learn that you will never be able to get everything done; prioritization is key. 

Think about the career path you want to take to understand how an MBA can help you get there. Research what companies recruit at your schools of interest so you know what opportunities will be available to you. Apply to schools that excel in the function you are most interested in. Talk to students and alums from the schools you are applying to and get a full perspective of their experiences during and after school.

Look for a program that can give you a foundation in general management as well as the flexibility to focus on specific areas that interest you. Visit the schools to get a feel for the culture and see where you feel most comfortable. Seek out professors who are esteemed in their field but who also enjoy teaching.