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 to VCCP CEO Andrew Holt.
This week we speak to MediaCom creative director Simon Jarosz.
Duration in current role/time at the company:
One year and 11 months.
How would you describe what the company does?
Work together across multiple disciplines from content strategy, distribution and creation to develop an end-to-end solution that connects our audience to powerful stories, all as part of the MediaCom content and connections system.
What does your role involve?
Being a creative coach for the company, inspiring and implementing creativity in everything we do.
Within the last six months/year, what stands out as the company’s major milestones?
Delivering one of our major client’s most successful ever brand campaigns, that we delivered as a documentary for prime-time TV and a fully integrated social media campaign including 360° video called Air Rescue. We took the audience on an epic journey across Australia, telling the real-life stories of the Westpac Helicopter Rescue Service. Becoming the creative agency for Princess Cruises, working together with the media team to deliver a full-service campaign for them as part of MediaCom, The Content + Connections agency.
Best thing about the industry you work in:
It’s DNA is to be curious, to react, strive and evolve.
Previous industry related companies you have worked at:
Saatchi & Saatchi, Monkeys, VML, JWT & McCann Erickson to name a few.
Career-wise, where do you see yourself in three years time?
Hopefully still learning, being brave enough to change the landscape and producing work, I love to make, plus develop as an individual here at MBA (MediaCom Beyond Advertising).
What is the elephant in the room? The thing that no one is talking about – but they should be.
Creativity isn’t a walled garden, there’s lot of new players in the market.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
I was once detained at a Polish border while Interpol checked my identity.
Top networking tip:
Treat everyone at work with the respect you’d expect, never leave on bad terms.
My favourite restaurant for a business lunch is:
Vats Wine Bar, London. Best steak pudding in the UK.
My favourite advert is:
BGH air conditioners, brilliantly funny, great insight and so well crafted
My must-have gadget is:
My favourite media is:
Agnostic, I love ideas that live and breathe everywhere.
My favourite TV show is:
Black Mirror.
The last book I read:
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.
My mantra / philosophy is:
Don’t waste time trying to be the person you were, focus on being the person you are.
I got into advertising because:
I was a disgruntled graphic designer fed up with having to produce mediocre ideas.
If I wasn't doing this for a living, I'd be:
Painting.
In five years' time I'll be:
Painting with my daughter and training her to be the artist I never was. Developing myself further as a creative in an industry that is constantly changing.
Define your job in one word:
Expressive.
What's your poison:
Whisky (note spelling).
AdNews can add here that it seems the Scots spell it whisky and the Irish/Americans spell it whiskey.
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.