Ovi People Interview: Meet Debra from the Store team

It’s time for yet another Ovi People Interview! How’s everyone’s Monday going along so far? =) Last week I had a chat with Debra Duncan from the Store team, so read on to find out more about her!

And as usual, let us know how we’re doing in the comments section! Any specific questions you’d like to include in the question list, maybe?

What do you do here at Nokia?

I’m a content manager on the Store. I look after the promotional merchandising area on the Store, which is mostly the Spotlight and Channel areas.

How long have you been working here and what other projects have you been working on at Nokia?

It’s actually two years now that I’ve been working here, exactly! I worked for Download briefly as a content manager, and after that (and a Nokia re-org) I moved over to the Store team.

What did you do before you joined Nokia (work + education)?

I’ve been working across media for about 20 years now. Most recently before Nokia I was senior producer at Disney Mobile for 4 years. The role was predominantly about mobile content distribution, promotional activity and content strategy for Disney and their co-brands, and I had ownership of The Muppets brand across mobile. Previously I’ve worked within interactive TV, publishing and in the new media space as an Editor across entertainment, music and news. I went to college in Kent, where I studied Law. It has actually provided quite useful along the way; even though I’ve taken my career down a different avenue.

What makes you passionate about what you do?

I love new ideas & innovations, and making them happen. And being at the forefront of new developments across media with content

Is there anything specific you like about working at Nokia?

Lots of things! One thing I really like is the people; I think we have a really good, diverse mix of talent here. And I think that makes a real difference. We also have a very open culture, you can really make stuff happen yourself.

What word is the first word that comes to your mind when you think about Ovi?

Open… or maybe freshness Because Ovi has a really clean & fresh-looking logo.

What’s your favorite thing you’ve downloaded from Store? Why?

There are a couple of things, actually. I like WorldMate, because that’s probably the one that I use the most. I think it’s really quite handy in terms of basics such as weather and currency conversion. And the Facebook app is definitely a favourite as well, it actually was a bit of a life saver while I was in China a while back! I had my passport and purse stolen, and the Facebook app on my phone was basically my connection to the outside world, and friends who helped me get through the countries red tape.

What was your very first Nokia device?

I think it must be the 3330. It was the one everyone had!

What devices do you use right now and what do you mainly do with them?

I use the E72 every day, and it’s mainly for business use such as checking email, taking calls… Also, I’m constantly testing apps from the Store, which I also do on my N97, because it has the touch screen.

What were you looking for the last time you used Maps?

I was going to the Henry Moore exhibition the other day, which was in an area of London I haven’t really been to before, so we were found the location with Maps.

What are your top three favorite blogs/websites?

I follow all kinds of news and information sites regularly. I suppose the one that I always come back to is USAToday. It’s an American newspaper, but it features really good world news, and it’s quite well written.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Horse riding is something that I’ve done since I was a child, so these days, whenever I get the chance. Also, I love to travel, so any country I’ve never been to before is quite probably on my list I try to squeeze some scuba diving in as well when I’m abroad (if in the right locations).

What’s your Motto?

Two spring to mind: 1 – Ideas are really just possibilities waiting to be launched into life. And 2 – Take your opportunities when they come to you!

Is there anything you’d like to tell our readers here at the Ovi Blog?

I suppose one thing previous bosses have said to me ‘more than once’ – sometimes you have to stop and smell the roses. We’ve achieved some fantastic work on the Store. If I think where we started (for me November 2008) through to launch, and now what the store is today it’s quite amazing what has been achieved.  So as much as we’re always striving for that next big update for the future, don’t forget to reflect!!

And make sure you continue to stop by at the Store, as we’ll continue create cool things over there!