The Spotlight Series: The eBay Famous Five Journey
The Spotlight Series
A conversation between Louise and Lauren.
What makes a good project manager?
Is it their ability to organise? To delegate?
Or is it the ability to weather a storm where you are the captain and (nearly) everything in your path is trying to stop you from achieving greatness?
Our Spotlight series looks to shine a light on the unsung heroes of Collaborate. Those who are in the driving seat of some of the world’s biggest and best global campaigns.
This week, we meet Lauren Gowing, an exceptionally kind, empathetic, and badass project manager.
As the Project Manager driving one of our major campaigns this year, Lauren exemplifies the kind of strong, capable leadership that defines the culture at Collaborate—doing cool stuff with cool people.
There is not much cooler than a five-stint activation campaign for one of the UK’s most loved brands (eBay), and there is no one more fit for the role of leading it than our very own motorbike-riding, sea-swimming-loving, horse-mum project manager, AKA Lauren.
In a recent interview at the British Motor Show in Farnborough, which was the third stop of the eBay campaign, she shared insights into her role, the challenges she faces, and the invaluable support from her Collaborate colleagues.
Following the success of last year’s Festival of Speed, where Lauren and her team picked up the agency's first Campaign Experience Award for this project, eBay wanted to turn up the dial—rolling out activations in five locations across the UK in 2024.
The scale is bigger, but Lauren’s approach remains consistent: positivity, enthusiasm, and a commitment to excellence. "There’s a lot to do, but it’s always good fun, especially with an amazing team," Lauren shared.
But with growth comes new challenges. The unpredictable British weather has tested her at every turn; never before has so much suncream and so many umbrellas been used within one campaign. Yet, Lauren’s calm, collected style shone through, trusted to deliver and with the skills and team around her to quite literally weather any storm.
The backbone of Lauren’s success? Strong leadership within Collaborate. She draws inspiration from leaders like Katie Helyer, who has become both a rock and a source of inspiration for project managers at Collaborate. "Katie ensures I’m supported and confident in challenging situations. Her work ethic and approach inspire me every day," Lauren noted. This underscores the importance of role models who not only lead by example but also invest in their team’s growth and confidence.
Lauren’s journey with the eBay project is a clear reminder that effective project management isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about having a rock-solid support system and the right environment to thrive. Collaborate empowers leaders like Lauren by providing the tools, guidance, and encouragement needed to not just manage, but to excel.
In the fast-paced world of creative and experiential projects, it’s this powerful mix of skill, teamwork, and leadership that drives success—today and in every future challenge. For anyone in this industry, Lauren’s story is a testament to what’s possible when you combine grit with a strong support network.
Lauren Gowing:
A badass project manager, with a heart of gold, a head screwed firmly on and an unwavering dedication to creating a strong culture around her of optimism and action.
Louise Boothroyd – Collaborate Global