Josh Ferraz.
Our Industry Profile takes a look at some of the professionals working across the advertising, adtech, marketing and media sector in Australia. It aims to shed light on the varying roles and companies across the buzzing industry.
Josh Ferraz: Account Manager at VMO
Time in current role/time at the company:
I have been with VMO for just over 3 years and was recently promoted to account manager.
How long have you been in the industry?
I started my media career at VMO, so it's been 3 years since starting in the industry.
How did you get here? Was this always the plan?
Before starting at VMO, I worked at my local pub and had planned to go down more of a finance route. I found myself drawn to media sales after speaking with a few people already in the industry, so I set out to gain the necessary skills and connections to secure my first role.
Who is your right-hand person/who guides you day to day?
My growth over the past 3 years is a testament to the strong leadership at VMO. I've had the privilege of learning from many talented colleagues whose experience and insights I've drawn from to build my own unique approach to selling. While countless people have guided me, I especially want to mention Liam O'Meara, who was instrumental during my early days, offering invaluable industry knowledge and perspective, and Alex Anthony, who continues to create opportunities for me to grow and refine my skills.
What’s the best thing about the industry you work in?
The part I enjoy the most about the industry is the satisfaction of collaborating with colleagues and clients on ideas and seeing them come to fruition. There's a strong, supporting culture here, with a healthy competitive yet collective goal of advancing the Outdoor market and securing its place on media pans. It's inspiring to work in an industry that's so focused on growth and shared success.
And the biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge is the ever-changing nature of Outdoor, driven by automation and technology, which has continued to evolve rapidly over the past few years. While it can be challenging to constantly stay up to date, it creates exciting opportunities to innovate and implement fresh, effective ideas for our clients. One key challenge we face is encouraging clients to rethink how they communicate with their audience by exploring unique environments that offer distinct ways to engage consumers in their daily routines. With the launch of MOVE 2, we'll gain deeper insights into various environments, enabling us to deliver more precise and impactful strategies that support the ongoing success of the sector.
Whose job have you set your sights on in the future?
Even though I've only been in the industry for a few years, I already know it’s the industry I want to be in to continue growing and challenging myself. I have profound admiration for the leadership at VMO - their achievements and dedication to this industry motivate me to keep hustling every week. My goal is to build on what I'm learning and hopefully contribute as much as they have. If I can accomplish even half of what they've achieved, I'd feel absolutely stoked!
Where do you turn for inspiration?
There is no doubt in saying that I turn to my family as a source of inspiration. My mum has been instrumental in shaping who I am, teaching me the importance of hard work, respect and earning everything I achieve. Thinking about my family's life in Brazil keeps me grounded and fuels my drive every day. My main motivation has always been to make them proud and show that their support and values are at the core of everything I accomplish.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
Growing up, I wanted to be an Olympic Swimmer. I then realised I'd have to grow to 6 ft+...
In five years' time I'll be…
In five years, I see myself in a leadership role, possibly managing a team and continuing to contribute to the success of the industry. I hope to keep learning and challenging myself in new ways. I would also love to travel more and experience different cultures around the world.
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