Our Industry Profile takes a weekly 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.
Last we we spoke to co-CEO and co-founder of influencer business Hypetap, Detch Sing, this week we hit Sydney to meet Gumtree head of advertising Laura Hill.
Duration in current role/time at the company:
Three years
In one sentence, how would you describe what the company does?
Gumtree.com.au is a vibrant Australian community marketplace connecting buyers and sellers to buy, sell and find just about everything.
In one sentence, what does your role involve?
I help brands connect to the seven million Australians who visit our site every month.
Within the last six months/year, what stands out as the company’s major milestones?
Last year, we launched Gumtree Media and pivoted the business to a programmatic first publisher to focus on leveraging our rich data to enhance the user experience and ensure we offer personalised ads. This is only the beginning, 2017 will be out most exciting year yet, so stay tuned!
Best thing about the industry you work in:
The diversity - online media is constantly changing and evolving – I love the fast paced environment.
Previous industry related companies you have worked at:
Nine Network and Fairfax Media.
Career-wise, where do you see yourself in three years’ time?
Helping build and grow our portfolio’s advertising revenue across other marketplaces locally and globally.
What is the elephant in the room?
The thing that no one is talking about – but they should be. New technology will continue to grow and be a huge part of our job; however, what’s too far down the priority list is that people must remain our priority. Our employees remain our primary resource, and the industry is losing a lot of our best and brightest due to outdated workplace cultures - flexibility is the new currency in the workplace.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
One of my proudest moments was winning the annual under nines Newcastle Sandcastle Competition with a giant whale creation. Maybe I should have become a sculptor?
Top networking tip:
It’s a small industry, get out and meet people. Doors will always open.
My favourite restaurant for a business lunch is:
Sake at The Rocks in Sydney and Lucy Lui in Melbourne.
My favourite advert is:
The Snickers ‘You’re not you when you’re hungry’ series is gold! In particular, the Aussie version, with true blue legend Ray Meagher (aka Alf Stewart). Because number one, who doesn’t love flamin’ Alf Stewart? And two, I can totally relate to a sneaky mid-afternoon pick me up!
My must-have gadget is:
It’s definitely a love/hate relationship with my iPhone!
My favourite media is:
Online. I’m always on the go so it’s the fastest and easiest way to stay up to date and on top of industry competition.
My favourite TV show is:
I’m currently renovating, so Selling Homes and Grand Designs are my sources of inspiration.
The last book I read:
Flash Boys by Michael Lewis.
My mantra / philosophy is:
Bad news doesn’t get better with age.
I got into advertising/ad tech/marketing etc because:
Marketing is the perfect mix of business and creativity. Since moving to Sydney from Newcastle to get a “real job” that aligned to my marketing degree, I have never looked back - I love it!
If I wasn't doing this for a living, I'd be:
Running a vineyard in the Yarra Valley
In five years' time I'll be:
Professionally, I’ll be taking advantage of this dynamic industry and working hard to ensure Gumtree.com.au remains Australia’s vibrant community marketplace by constantly enhancing the user experience and ensuring that our ad content is personalised and relevant.
Personally, I’ll be training my (now) four-year-old niece to regain the title of under 9s sandcastle champion and ensure my family’s supremacy!
Define your job in one word:
Dynamic.
What's your poison:
Coffee until it’s an appropriate time to drink wine (it’s always 5 o’clock somewhere in the world, right?)
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.