Our Industry Profile takes a look at some of the professionals working across the advertising, ad tech, marketing and media sector in Australia. It aims to shed light on the varying roles and companies across the buzzing industry.
This week we speak to DDB Sydney head of planning Dom Hickey.
Time in current role:
I’ve been head of planning at DDB for more than three and half years.
How would you describe what the company does?
We grow businesses by giving them an emotional advantage.
What do you do day-to-day?
Solve problems, write briefs, debate with creatives, manage the team.
Define your job in one word:
Unpredictable.
I got into advertising because:
Advertising was something I fell into rather than planned. I didn’t fall in love with the industry until I started working in it.
What’s the biggest challenge you face in your role?
Balancing opinions and enthusiasm with outcomes (my own included).
What’s the biggest industry-wide challenge you’d like to see tackled?
A better balance of the long AND the short of it.
Previous industry related companies you have worked at?
Wunderman, Mojo, Lavender, before that I worked in publishing.
Who has been a great mentor to you and why?
For me finding a mentor is about finding someone brilliant and inspirational that believes in you and is willing to spend time with you. Fran Clayton, Chiquita King and Rebecca James have all been super smart, generous mentors to me along the way. At DDB I work with Leif Stromnes and I learn something from him every day.
Words of advice for someone wanting a job like yours?
Be curious and love brief writing.
If I wasn't doing this for a living, I'd be:
A chef.
My mantra is:
Be hard on the work, but kind to people.
My favourite advert is:
Halo Top, Eat the ice cream. It’s not for everyone but they have a real point of view on their audience.
Music and TV streaming habits. What do you subscribe to?
SBS OnDemand, ABC iView, Spotify, Soundcloud, Stan, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Foxtel, Audible…it might be time for an audit.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
Before advertising I worked in the crime scene lab for the NSW police department.
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