By Dr Devi Gill
Students were recently treated to an engaging guest lecture by Rhea Uppal, who delivered an inspiring session on The Art of Advertising. Blending theory, personal experience, and industry insights, she offered a valuable and realistic look into what marketing truly involves from building creative concepts to collaborating across departments and using AI in campaign development.
Drawing on her journey through roles at BEKO PLC, Travelex, Connors Clothing, and now Motorpoint, Rhea explained the full advertising process in a way that was both accessible and motivating. She explored how brands build trust, how humour and emotional narratives can elevate campaigns, and how important it is for marketers to understand tone of voice and target audiences.
Her real-world examples, including the use of sonic branding and the pratfall effect, helped students connect theory to practice. A major highlight came when Rhea showcased how she incorporates AI tools into her campaigns from generating imagery using Midjourney to experimenting with AI voiceovers.
What did students think?
Students expressed extremely positive feedback about the session, sharing the following reflections:
‘Rhea was absolutely amazing! I found her presentation interesting and inspiring, especially as someone who wants to work in a similar field. The way she presented herself and talked about her achievements was so motivating. What stood out to me the most was how she used AI in her advertising projects and managed to come up with so many creative ideas while running multiple campaigns on her own. I think her session was really helpful for us as students because it gave us a real insight into what working in the industry is like and what to expect in the future.’- Ziley Tabish
‘Rhea created an interactive learning environment, which the class found engaging and enjoyable. During the guest lecture, she explained her journey, shared tips, and gave real insights into the advertising world beyond university. At the end, she set a great task where we created our own marketing campaigns. This task was brilliant it gave us hands-on experience and helpful feedback for improvement. My peers and I enjoyed every bit of the session, and we’d love to have Rhea back!’ – Risko Samko
‘I think the guest lecture with Rhea was super insightful. It was interesting to get to know her, understand her experiences within university and the marketing industry, and take away some tips on advertising I really enjoyed the campaign activity she set, especially after finding out it was the same task Rhea completed to land the job she has now!’ – Mya Wright
Real-world learning
The campaign activity was a standout moment for many. Students were tasked with designing a social media launch plan for Motorpoint’s new ‘Sell Your Car’ service, the exact brief Rhea responded to during her own interview process. This authentic, practical exercise gave students a taste of real industry expectations and allowed them to apply strategic and creative thinking first-hand.
The session concluded with Rhea sharing valuable tips about confidence, networking, learning on the job, saying yes to opportunities, and remembering that ‘success isn’t linear’.
What about the impact of AI?
Students also had the chance to ask questions, one of the most memorable being: Will AI take over marketing jobs? Rhea’s response was both realistic and inspiring: No — but someone who knows how to use AI will have an advantage over someone who doesn’t. Her answer encouraged students to see AI not as a threat, but as a tool to enhance creativity and efficiency within marketing.
Overall, the lecture was inspiring, highly interactive, and filled with practical guidance that students can carry forward into their own marketing careers. It provided a genuine insight into the advertising industry and left the room feeling motivated and excited about their futures.