“You never do it completely on your own, but together with your team.”

For over 25 years, we have been connecting organizations with the best marketing, communication, and content professionals. We find suitable assignments or positions for junior, medior, and senior professionals. In Spot On, we would like to introduce them to you. This time, Spot On: Amarins Komduur, Spokesperson at the Association of Universities of Applied Sciences.

“There are many puzzles to be solved and it would be great to be able to contribute to this through spokesperson and communication.”

Policy and communication

Amarins was already interested in communication when she was younger. She started as a policy officer at the House of Representatives and was also a municipal councillor in Pijnacker-Nootdorp. She then went to work at Vewin, the Association of Drinking Water Companies in the Netherlands: “They wanted to shape the communication department in a different way, namely in tandem with the policy department. Not first a position paper and then a press release afterwards, but from the start thinking together about how your position can best reach the target group. They were looking for someone who could make that combination very well, and that was me. I really enjoyed linking policy and communication.”

Social involvement and collaboration

At Vewin, Amarin became the first spokesperson. “10 years ago, there wasn’t much media attention for drinking water,” she says. “It was taken for granted that we could just about get the best water in the world from the tap. A lot was happening inside and outside the drinking water companies and we wanted to be more visible. I grew along with that.”

Social involvement and collaboration are what appeal to her most in the spokesperson profession. She tells about an example she is proud of: “In the summer, especially during dry periods, we received many questions from journalists about drought and drinking water. To answer these questions, we organized master classes with experts. This initiative attracted a lot of media attention and resulted in in-depth articles. It was inspiring to see how everyone contributed to the success of this event and how we achieved the right result together.”

To repeat oneself

Amarins came into contact with Babbage as a client. “During the summer, we were short on staff at Vewin, while the summer was always a busy time with spokespersons, preparing publications and other communication activities. That is why we were looking for someone who could work with us temporarily.” And that is how she got to know Babbage to fill these temporary positions.

After working for the same organization for nine years, Amarins noticed that she was repeating herself in her work. Normally, she would react enthusiastically to new ideas and see what the possibilities were, but suddenly she heard herself say: 'oh, we've tried that before and it didn't work.' And then Babbage approached her for a new position as Spokesperson at the Association of Universities of Applied Sciences (VH). "I thought: 'you can always look!' The changes took some getting used to at first, but they were good!" Now she feels completely at home at the VH and can try out, discover and learn new ideas again.

Polarized discussions

At the VH, Amarins mainly focuses on press contacts and media, but various issues are also discussed. She explains: “The Netherlands and our sector will be faced with a lot in the coming years. For example, we will be faced with social challenges and various discussions that the universities of applied sciences are involved in.” She says that she finds it quite a challenge to prevent polarized discussions about good and bad. “It must remain a substantive debate, in which higher education can contribute to all those social issues. There are many puzzles to be solved and it would be great to be able to contribute to that with spokespersons and communication.”

The importance of listening

“As a spokesperson, you are not only transmitting, but you are also listening to others 75% of the time. When someone comes up with a plan, we look together at how we are going to achieve it. This whole process and the collaboration that comes with it, gives me energy. You never do it all by yourself, but together with your team!” She is looking forward to taking on all the new challenges and tasks of this position.

No advertising, but a realistic image

“I found the collaboration with Babbage very pleasant, accessible and approachable.” Amarins says that she had quite some difficulty letting go of her old job and moving on. She liked that Babbage understood this and gave her the space to let herself feel that way. Babbage also gave her the necessary reassurance. “I was happy that the position was not presented as in an advertising brochure, but that I simply got a realistic picture of the position.”

Are you also looking for a new challenge? We would love to talk to you and find your next step together.