The Drum 30 Under 30 #1: Laura Cochrane, digital business director, Manning Gottlieb OMD

The Drum 30 under 30 women in digital 2013 highlights the top 30 women under the age of 30 making an impact in digital. Here, The Drum catches up with Laura Cochrane, digital business director, Manning Gottlieb OMD.

The Drum 30 under 30 women in digital is an annual platform recognising the next generation of digital talent. Over the course of 30 days we will be running interviews with each of the women profiled, to give more insight into their careers so far, professional achievements, and what they see as the next big game changers in digital.Today's profiled individual is Laura Cochrane, digital business director, Manning Gottlieb OMD.What is your biggest professional achievement so far? It must be some of the industry recognition i've received for my work. I won both the ‘Grand Prix’ and ‘Best Retail Campaign’ awards at New Media Age’s Effectiveness Awards for Starbucks a couple of years ago; and recently, a viral video campaign for the New Renault Clio achieved over five million views, a 500 per cent ROI for the client and is nominated for several awards. What is the biggest challenge you've overcome in your career? I think the most challenging thing is something that effects everyone in digital planning; digital moves and changes so quickly that it's tough always staying ahead of curve and keeping up to speed with the latest developments. What's the next game changer in digital? There are lots of things which are very interesting happening in digital at the moment. A big buzz topic at the moment is Big Data. There's just so much data available that businesses aren't using it effectively as they just don't have enough time or resources to process it all. A big game changer will be once businesses learn how harness it all and use it effectively they can then identify better insights/strategies in order to drive stronger success and ROI. What would you like to be remembered for? Being a friendly, positive and open-minded person who likes to laugh ALOT! Who inspires you most professionally or personally? It has to be my parents as they have given me everything I could possibly need in order to be successful both professionally and personally. They have always been great role models; running their own successful companies, keeping a happy home for me to grow up in, whilst also finding time to have the busiest social lives. They have strong morals but are always willing to see the best in people and never judge me. If ever I need them they are there for me ensuring I keep a level head and do the right thing. I just want to do everything I can to make them as proud of me as I am of them. What would you be doing if you weren't doing this? I'd be travelling around the world with my husband exploring different countries and soaking up their cultures. I love being abroad with him as it really is the only time that I can totally relax and be carefree. How do you relax? If i'm not at work, you will find me relaxing with my nearest and dearest over a drink or a nice meal, researching my next holiday or out on a bike ride around Buckinghamshire. Describe your career to date in five words.Fast, fun, rewarding, challenging and digital.Yesterday's featured individual was Sally Rushton, head of social media, Jaywing.