Ericka Pittman: From Diddy’s Right-Hand Woman To Chief Marketing Officer At Aquahydrate
There are a few things that Mommy probably told you when you were growing up. Cross your legs when wearing a dress. Chew with your mouth closed. Go to school. Get a job. Get married. Have babies—preferably in that order.
But what she might not have told you was that in your 20s, you’re probably going to go through a quarter-life crisis where you’re trying to find the answers to who you are, what you really want out of life, and how exactly to go about getting it once you walk across that stage to grab that coveted degree. She probably didn’t tell you that before becoming a leader you have to be willing to follow, and that it’s okay to take advantage of your femininity in a masculine environment, or that it’s important to have a thick skin and a firm stance in order to be a boss chick.
It’s something that Ericka Pittman, former Vice President at Combs Enterprises, is touching on in her forthcoming book—a go-to guide on how to navigate the next phase of life when you’re full of questions and starving for answers. It’s her way of giving back to the next generation of lady leaders, sharing over a decade of wisdom on how she climbed the corporate ladder in the world of entertainment and lifestyle marketing where pantsuits outnumber pencil skirts.
“Women have a tendency to hoard positive information. They want to be the only ones that know, and it's like, the world is so abundant, why wouldn't you want to share and make sure everyone has the knowledge and the tools to be great and amazing?”
A question that needs an answer, because in a world that thrives off of self-preservation, it’s important to preserve the next generation by reaching back as you climb up. It’s something that Pittman hopes to spark conversation around as she details her experiences as a woman who once found herself lost and trying to figure out what’s next, which is hard to believe for a person with such an impressive résumé: Working at media giants Time, Inc., Conde Nast, and Vibe Media Group before shifting over to Combs Enterprises where she held various roles in strategy and marketing throughout the company’s eight divisions. In February of 2015, she was promoted to Vice President of the Chairman’s Office, where she interfaces with the senior executives of each of the divisions that she once used to work under.
“A lot of people don't realize that Combs Enterprises is a portfolio brand, so we have probably eight businesses that fall under Combs Enterprises, and each of those divisions have presidents or CEOs. So I interact on a day-to-day basis with each of the presidents on business moves for our divisions and ensure that their goals and objectives are being met for their businesses, and they're on par with the Chairman's vision, and then simultaneously ensuring that the chairman and his office are delivering on the things that we need to deliver for each of the individual properties."
Talk about elevation.
Not to mention that she was hand-selected by Sean “Diddy” Combs himself for a role that, prior to her occupying, didn’t even exist. It’s a new challenge for her, but no sweat. Pittman knows how to navigate the waters of uncertainty, always being one to go where needed and diving in head first into her positions, never backing down but always stepping up. It’s something that the head honcho, whom she respectfully refers to as “Mr. Combs,” would expect of his team of go-getters: no excuses, just results. Being fearless and staying hungry.
It’s also the reason that she got on his radar. Being one of the few people in the company who had experience within each of the brands—she worked on the launch of Revolt Television, closed the deal on DeLeón Tequila for Combs Wines & Spirits, and lead the rebranding for AQUAhydrate packaging among many other projects—made her an optimal choice when the discussion of a position that would create synergy across the brands came about. Pittman credits her successful climb to her flexibility and her problem-solving skills.
"Working with the [Blue Flame Agency] I touched all of the brands, but then also I go where I'm needed, even if I don't work for the business. I have not worn an operational hat until now so this is an exciting opportunity for me to explore an alternative career path. This role could even parlay a COO role. It’s an honor, and I'm super excited about it!”
But just to be clear, Pittman isn’t walking for cheesecake. She was often seen right by the side of the music and marketing mogul, whether it’s at the Revolt Music Conference or jet setting to a business meeting for Combs Wines & Spirits—always impeccably dressed and paparazzi ready.
Though the Brooklyn native didn’t have a ton of internships, she’s always been a fan of hard work and perseverance. Right out of high school, she completed a few fellowships that sparked her interest in marketing and communications. While at Baruch College she juggled a full-time job and a full-time class schedule, and upon graduating didn’t hesitate to take on opportunities and align herself with the right people to help her go to the next level. With each transition, she’s taken the knowledge of her previous experiences with her as she continued her climb up the corporate ladder. Both her successes and her mistakes (she admits to once being a project hoarder who had to learn how to delegate tasks), have enabled her to stay afloat throughout her career.
“The key is to get in, work super hard, make relationships, all hands on deck, get in where you fit in and be a real contribution, because people are watching,” she says.
“Even when you think they're not watching, they are, and good talent is hard to find so if you really are the cut above the rest; you're going to stand out.”
And Pittman mastered the art of standing out as a woman in a male-dominated industry without compromising who she is. For her it’s about femininity over sexuality. The mental, not the physical. Though in a room full of men, donning a pair of Dolce & Gabbana stilettos and a well-fitted dress is definitely one of the perks of being a woman. Style and tactfulness make a confident lady, and in the boardroom Pittman is just as poised as she is primped.
After all, being Diddy’s right-hand woman meant that she has to be able to hold her own, which includes protecting herself and her reputation—with class, of course—when compromising situations arise. Watching her mother and grandmother achieve their own individual levels of success with integrity and professionalism and understanding her birthright helped the budding boss get a good sense of who she was as a woman. “Being a woman is life. If it were not for me, the human race would cease to exist; there's so much power in that.”
Though she does one day hope to play her role in evolution and be a wife and mother, she’s not willing to compromise who she is, and that includes in her dating life. Last year she was a cast member on Bravo TVs The Singles Project—a reality series following six New York singles as they navigate the world of dating as professionals. She's still single, but she is open to someone who’s authentic and morally sound.
In the meantime, she’s taking a page out of Diddy’s book in creating multiple streams of income. In January of 2016, she was appointed as Chief Marketing Officer at Aquahydrate, a Diddy-owned water brand, and if the new powerful role isn't already enough to keep her hands full, she plans on developing a cosmetic line —something that she says is encouraged at Combs Enterprises.
“I think, as women, we have a tendency to put ourselves on the backburner and make our dreams and ambitions a secondary priority, but for me, this work that I'm doing is really important.”
It’s not just about her, but about being an example for those who are looking at her and looking up to her as a successful multi-dimensional woman of color with the professionalism and personality to match.
“I used to not want to let out my real personality because I felt like people were going to question my professionalism because I have a sense of humor, but then it's like, that's just silly. Like why don't I get to be all of these things that God created me to be? And, once I started to do that and make myself a priority and what I'm doing a priority, bigger opportunities started to present themselves.”
It’s not easy, but she’s determined to make it happen without forgetting to make herself a priority. With a packed day-to-day schedule, it’s necessary to slow down, meditate, hydrate, and explore places that her fabulous lifestyle has yet to take her. She encourages every woman to forgo the Louboutin’s and Chanel bags and take a vacation to at least expose themselves to other places and cultures.
More importantly, she encourages young women to remember that life is a journey, and to focus not on the success of their peers or use the accomplishments of their mentors as barometers, but to direct their attention to living a life that’s passionate and fearless.
“I think that life’s a journey; we never stop growing. I believe that every single person is exactly where they're supposed to be in their life, and if we can embrace that and embrace the natural order of things and just be our best selves, we really can maximize life.”
In case you were wondering, that’ll be in her book, too. It’s not something that her mama told her, but what life taught her—no blueprint, no rules, just real experiences.
Featured image by Charles Norfleet/Getty Images
Originally published in March 2017
Kiah McBride writes technical content by day and uses storytelling to pen real and raw personal development pieces on her blog Write On Kiah. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter at @writeonkiah.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:
Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
Momo Productions/Getty
Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images