Meet Caitlin Poltzer | Social Media Guru

We had the good fortune of connecting with Caitlin Poltzer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Caitlin, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Not to sound extremely cliche, but it really is my authentic personality. I’ve worked in a traditionally non-authentic industry, Social Media & Marketing, for over the last decade, and my personality and relationship-building skills have been my strongest assets.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve worked in social media since 2014. I’m a part of the OG YouTube days – it was everything to me. I was beauty obsessed and spent all my days watching and learning how to apply eyeshadow and all things makeup related. I eventually mustered up the courage to start my own YouTube channel and things took off… until it came to a screeching halt. Long story short, I found myself at 20 years old with an internet stalker that led to my YouTube channel coming to an end. A blessing in disguise though – that chapter closing led me to discovering social media from a brand POV – and the rest is history.

In 2015, I moved to NYC right after college and got my first job working as a Social Media Intern for L’Oreal – specifically Kiehls. My beauty & YouTube obsession came in handy as I created their influencer program from the ground up and created so many incredible relationships. From there, I switched industries and became a Social Media Strategist at Starwood Hotels / Marriott International. I had the privilege of traveling the world in my early and mid twenties (on a company’s dime I may add) and creating some of the most fun content I’ve ever made. Moxy Hotels was my literal child and was so honored to be able to help shape a brand that shared so much of my ethos and personality. It didn’t come easy though – Working on a social media first brand that valued the LGBTQIA+ community, was sex positive, and overall a suggestive brand in a very traditional, male-dominated, corporate company – it was almost impossible to get recognition as the “bubbly, young, pretty girl who just posts pictures on Instagram.” I was labeled as such from the get-go and never stood a chance. Even so, that fueled my fire and I still fought for the strategies and content that I believed our followers wanted to see and am beyond proud of the work I accomplished with the Moxy team.

It’s, by far, some of the proudest moments of my corporate career.

Then, 2020 showed up and changed the game for everyone. New York City was a scary place to be as a 27 year old, single, living alone in a tiny AF studio apartment, and I knew that this was an opportunity for me to make a life change. After a few freelance jobs to keep the lights on, I literally woke up one day in June and decided that I was going to move to LA.

The best decision I’ve ever made in my entire life.

I only knew a few people that lived here prior, but I was SO ready to have a fresh start. I had no job, no friends, my family lived across the country, and I was totally alone… oh and it was still the pandemic. After a few minor panic attacks about this insane decision and no luck finding a full time job, a friend of a friend of a friend came through and I got a full time offer working as a Social Media Strategist for Cashmere Agency.

For those who know, agency life is an entirely different beast from those cushy corporate jobs, but I knew I was ready. I couldn’t wait to have my voice heard, ideas executed, and be able to work on a multitude of brands. I created strategies and executed content for Jack in the Box, Taco Bell. Showtime, and FX. I loved it.

Fast forward to October 2022, I was served with a devastating lay off. It literally left me heartbroken and honestly terrified of what I was going to do next. 5 months of soul-crushing interviews later, & realizing I didn’t want to be a strategist anymore, I was offered a Senior Strategist position at another LA based agency. So, I took it. I had no choice. The company & culture was… not my favorite, but, it was definitely the job that got me to where I am today. Since we were a very small but mighty team, I was able to flex so many skills beyond strategy. I am a creative at heart – I see content first. So, in this role, on paper, I was the lead strategist for Riot Games Music but I truly was the account manager, lead strategist, and creative director all in one. I was honestly thriving. Until, hello October 2023, I was served, yet again, another lay off – 1 year to the day.

I felt a lot of mixed feelings. At first, relief and excitement to be done with a toxic company & culture, but then reality hit and I was devastated. This lay off hit harder than the first and left me broken. Oh, I was also going through a tumultuous breakup at the same time. My life felt over.

5 months later… (literally groundhogs day) I take another job at another LA Based agency. In those depressing 5 months & lots of therapy, I told myself I either had to get back to my beauty roots and take a corporate brand job (knowing the risk of being labeled the “bubbly” girl again but having stability) or I would take another agency job with a different title. I needed something else.

So here we are, September 2024, and I’ve been at Wild Card Agency for 6 months working as a Senior Account Manager. It’s the most confident I’ve ever felt in my career. I work across multiple brands in the Entertainment Industry & I get to do my favorite thing ever – which is literally talking to people – and building relationships. I get to flex all of my many skills, I work with people I genuinely like and care about (clients included) and have a promotion on the way. I’m incredibly proud of my career and cannot wait to see what’s next.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love this question! I’m a West Hollywood girlie and love when friends come to visit me. I have a pool directly outside my front door and it’s pretty much my entire personality, so first things first, we’d have a glass of rosé poolside. We’d continue the wine vibe and take a scenic walk down Melrose to one of my favorite wine bars, Zinqué. It’s picturesque and has yummy bites, the perfect WeHo spot to kick off the long weekend. After that, it’s a short walk to my favorite area in WeHo, the Santa Monica Blvd strip where I can dance my face off (Hi Tops is my favorite Gay Bar) to all of my favorite Pop Divas (Ariana Grande all day) and see some truly beautiful humans living their best lives.

The next day, we must brunch. I’d go a little further East, to Hollywood, and hit up the famous Clark Street Diner. It’s nostalgic feel loaded with Hollywood History combined with all of my favorite breakfast foods, it’s a no brainer. From there, we’d hit up Griffith Park and go for a walk or sit on the grass with some wine and snacks and people watch and check out the incredible views of LA.

For dinner, I’d stay on the East Side, head towards Silverlake or Los Feliz, and hit up Sunset Blvd. It’s filled with bars, restaurants, and things to do and see. I’d probably settle on eating at Night + Market (best Thai ever) and ending the evening with a lovely martini at Bar Stella or The Black Cat.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’m a midwest girl that grew up in a home full of addiction, abuse, and just trauma all around. I’m so lucky to have had a loving & supportive Mom, Colleen, and a brilliant older sister, Patrice, that were examples of what strength, beauty, and independence looked like.

In my adult life, I wouldn’t be here without my girls and my gays. I have the most incredible chosen family that love & support me and are my biggest rocks.

Website: caitlinpoltzer.framer.website

Instagram: @caitlinpoltzer

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlin-poltzer-62460768/

Other: TikTok; @caitlinpoltzer