Meet Kim Tarantino | EMEA Digital Marketing Manager

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

Hi Kim, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
When you’re weighing whether to keep going or give up, remember that persistence doesn’t always mean staying on the same path—it means staying true to your purpose while being flexible about the route. As an international student from Rome, Italy, I grew up in a country whose economy isn’t easy, nor the best and I was determined to build a better life by offering my skills where the market compensates you correctly. I tried to start in the USA, but the strictness of visas closed doors I was ready to walk through. That setback didn’t mean I wasn’t worthy of a career in my passion—marketing—it meant I needed a different angle. When my U.S. visa was denied due to external factors around the company that was sponsoring me, nothing to do with me as a person, I pivoted to London. That detour opened up a whole new world: a city and industry that believed in me and appreciated what I had to offer. Speaking three languages—Italian, English, and Spanish—helped me connect with people across cultures, and I learned that in marketing, relationships and trust matter; often it’s who you know as much as what you know. “Keep going” can mean choosing the environment that recognizes your value, even if it’s not the one you first imagined. Don’t give up on the dream—change the strategy, expand the network, and let the right place meet your momentum.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets me apart is a charismatic, human way of dealing with professional matters—steady, direct, and warm. I work in the corporate world, where everything can feel like a crisis, even when it isn’t; my head of department reminds our wider team, “we are saving PDFs, not lives!” I carry that perspective into every meeting: when you speak to me, it’s like you’ve known me for years. I don’t do it on purpose; I’m simply transparent and go straight to the point. My path started in Rome and took me to the University of Miami for undergrad, where marketing first clicked as the perfect blend of finance and psychology. After leaving Miami in June 2017, I completed my MSc in Digital Marketing at Regent’s University London, navigating visa setbacks that closed the U.S. door but opened the London one. It wasn’t easy to rebuild—my life had been in Miami for five years—but perseverance became my strategy. “Thank you, but we’ve decided to proceed with another candidate” was the message I saw almost daily as my MSc ended in 2019—until Mindshare believed in me. I overcame challenges by taking moments one at a time and trusting there was a bigger plan if Miami wasn’t my starting point—so I “kept on keeping on”, as the British say. My grandfather taught me a core lesson: the only matter you can’t fix is death, for everything else there is a solution. Time helped me turn pain into perspective; here I am in 2025, being appreciated for a story I didn’t pitch—someone saw something and believed. What I want the world to know about my brand is simple: cut the bullshit. You reach a certain age where you understand the game of ‘life’—politics, economies, context—and authenticity becomes a competitive advantage. I talk plainly, deliver reliably, and move with empathy. I’m only 30, but I value clarity over drama, progress over perfection, and people over posturing. That’s the through-line of my career—and the way I’ll keep growing.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Here’s a week-long London itinerary I’d give my best friend—balanced between icons, local flavor, and a few under-the-radar gems.

Day 1: South Bank welcome. Walk from Tower Bridge to Westminster along the Thames. Explore Borough Market for lunch (Kappacasein grilled cheese or Brindisa tapas), pop into Tate Modern, St. Paul’s, and sunset at Sky Garden. Dinner at Padella (fresh pasta) or Dishoom. Drinks at Gordon’s Wine Bar or The Connaught Bar if you want to dress up.

Day 2: Notting Hill + Kensington. Brunch at Granger & Co., browse Portobello Road, then V&A and Natural History Museum. Afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason. West End show in the evening. Dinner at Hawksmoor (steak) or Hoppers (Sri Lankan). Nightcap at Bar Termini (Italian vibes, perfect negroni).

Day 3: East London grit and creativity. Street art walk in Shoreditch; Old Spitalfields Market; Brick Lane curry or Beigel Bake. Coffee at Monmouth or Ozone. Dinner at Smokestak (BBQ) or Manteca (nose-to-tail Italian). Cocktails at Nightjar or Swift Soho.

Day 4: Royal + parks. Buckingham Palace and Changing of the Guard, stroll Green Park into Hyde Park. Lunch at Mercato Mayfair (food hall in a converted church). Explore Marylebone High Street. Jazz at Ronnie Scott’s or The Jazz Cafe. Late dinner at Kiln (Thai grill) or Nopi (Ottolenghi).

Day 5: Camden, canals, and north London views. Camden Market lunch, walk Regent’s Canal to Little Venice, sunset from Primrose Hill. Dinner in Soho at BAO or Lina Stores. If you’re into football, snag tickets to Arsenal/Chelsea/Tottenham, or do a stadium tour during the day.

Day 6: Greenwich + riverside. Uber Boat to Greenwich, Cutty Sark, Royal Observatory and the Meridian line, browse Greenwich Market. Ride the DLR to Canary Wharf for modern architecture, then rooftop at Bōkan or Pergola. Dinner at Gunpowder (Indian plates) or Sager + Wilde (wine + bites).

Day 7: Day trip or South London. Option A: Windsor Castle or Oxford for history. Option B: Brixton and Peckham—Brixton Village for global eats, Frank’s Café for rooftop views (summer), and a gig at Electric Brixton. Wrap with gelato at Gelupo or late-night Nespresso martini at Swift.

Extra tips:

Book popular restaurants and West End tickets in advance.
Use contactless or Oyster; daily caps make transport cheap.
Museums often have late openings—great for quieter visits.
If you want a luxe experience, try The Ned for live music and multiple restaurants under one roof.
For Sunday morning only: Columbia Road Flower Market before brunch at Bistrotheque.
This mix gives you classic London, neighborhood character, great food, and those small moments—river walks, rooftops, and live music—that make the city sing.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I owe a massive shoutout to my mom, whose constant belief anchored me through setbacks and pivots, and whose steady encouragement reminded me that effort compounds. My dad, who invested in me and gave me the opportunity to pursue my undergraduate studies where I double majored with a BBA in Marketing & Management at the University of Miami, deserves special thanks for betting on my future even when the path felt uncertain. To my marketing professors in college: you opened a world where finance and psychology merge seamlessly, showing me that understanding markets and minds is the heart of our craft; to me, marketing is that perfect mix. From Rome to Miami to London, every move was scaffolded by people who saw potential before I always did. After Miami, I completed my MSc in Digital Marketing & Analytics at Regent’s University London, which sharpened my craft, expanded my network, and gave me the confidence and toolkit to thrive in a global industry. As for London, I owe enormous gratitude to WPP/Mindshare for believing in me from the very start—beginning as an intern on the Client Leadership team for Rolex, passing probation, and staying with the business since 2019. Through Mindshare, I’ve had the privilege to work on and contribute to brands like Apple, BMW, Disney+, Nespresso, British Airways and TK Maxx, learning the craft across categories, cultures and global markets. I also want to thank myself: I grew up with the American dream, and when that path didn’t open, I found the resilience to leave the life I had built over five years and step into a new world, culture, and way of thinking. My family has been my rock personally, and professionally Mindshare has been my rock, providing a home and a runway to grow while serving many amazing client accounts. And though I’m not married yet, I’m deeply grateful for the relationships I’ve had—the partners and friends who listened to my rants when I thought I wasn’t enough, who reflected back a sturdier version of me when I needed it most. To mentors and peers who shared introductions and opened doors—thank you. Your belief made room for mine.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kilocharlieeeee/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-tarantino-b3ab7157/

Image Credits
all images are mine, the one where i’m kissing the guy on the head is a client from nespresso italy – he said ok to use. i took the pic of the miami skyline as i am an amateur photographer on top of being a corporate princess.