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.
We previously spoke with DDI managing director Caroline McLaughlin.
This time we speak to Maxus national head of trading Ricky Chanana.
Duration in current role/time at the company:
I’ve been head of trading for 18 months and have been with Maxus for five years, GroupM for almost 10.
How would you describe what the company does?
Maxus is a home of partnerships that lead change, we do this by making the complex simple, and are relentless in the pursuit of finding innovative ways to drive business results.
What does your role involve?
I’m responsible for leading and shaping Maxus investment across all media channels to create, deliver and manage market leading value for our clients.
Within the last six months/year, what stands out as the company’s major milestones?
We’ve had a quite an interesting time over the last six months launching a new planning process and retaining our key accounts including Hungry Jack’s and Jetstar in Sydney and Melbourne. However, I reckon the next six months will be even more exciting for us given we will be merging with MEC to form a new agency. Watch this space.
Best thing about the industry you work in:
I love the culture and energy the people in this industry bring. It’s great when we can bring together people with different minds to deliver extraordinary work for the industry.
Previous industry related companies you have worked at:
MEC, MediaSmart (unfortunately they don’t exist anymore) and small boutique media agency.
Career-wise, where do you see yourself in three years’ time?
I’m very passionate about tech and I love my role in investment so in the future, I’d love to find a way to combine both. I might develop a piece of AI to do all my annual and fiscal negotiations. I might have just made myself redundant…
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
I have an uncanny ability to recognise a face in the crowd. There could be hundreds of people but I can spot a person. I have thought about offering my services to AFP to track down missing persons.
Top networking tip:
Station yourself next to the most popular person in the room. You’ll be surprised how many people will come and introduce themselves to you as a default.
My favourite restaurant for a business lunch is:
Machiavelli in Rushcutters Bay.
My favourite advert is:
Cougar Bourbon Ad
My must-have gadget is:
My Apple Watch – although, two years ago, I wrote an article saying this hardware was going to be useless and now I cannot live without it. #humblepie
My favourite media is:
My mobile phone.
My favourite TV show is:
Currently Designated Survivor. My all-time favorite is still Breaking Bad.
The last book I read:
The monk who sold his Ferrari by Robin Sharma.
My mantra / philosophy is:
The greatest wealth is HEALTH.
I got into advertising because:
It’s fun, it’s creative and it’s rewarding.
If I wasn't doing this for a living, I'd be:
A customs officer at an international airport. I love meeting new people from all walks of life, and where else can you do that but an airport where every day you’d see different people with a different story to tell.
In five years' time I'll be:
On some tropical island sipping cocktails after selling my state of the art annual trading AI widget business to WPP.
Define your job in one word:
Relentless.
What's your poison:
Skinnies, vodka lime and soda – no carbs.
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
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