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.
This week we speak to Publicis Media head of new business Helena Snowdon.
Time in current role/time at the company:
Two years
How would you describe what the company does?
Help our clients know and engage with their customers better than ever.
What do you do day-to-day?
Lead the operations and production of major, new business pitches.
Define your job in one word:
Unpredictable.
I got into advertising because:
My uni pal worked at a top London media agency and thought my OCD would be useful to their global new business team. It also got me out of hedge fund recruitment which I completely sucked at.
What’s the biggest challenge you face in your role?
Balancing calm with assertiveness.
What’s the biggest industry-wide challenge you’d like to see tackled?
Agencies having a team truly representative of the communities we live in.
Previous industry related companies you have worked at:
Mindshare, PHD, Maxus, iProspect.
Who is/has been a great mentor to you and why?
My mum. She taught me that hard work can get you anywhere. And that you don’t have to change yourself or what you believe in to be a leader.
Words of advice for someone wanting a job like yours?
Grab it with both hands. You get to work with the sharpest minds every day. You have the privilege of sitting alongside them as they look to the future and figure out how to solve new problems. It’s a deeply rewarding role.
If I wasn't doing this for a living, I'd be:
A retired army officer or on an archaeological dig.
My philosophy is:
Don’t ask someone to do something you wouldn’t do yourself.
My favourite advert is:
A piece of work for the National Centre for Domestic Violence in the UK: “Abusers Always Work from Home”. It’s exceptional but favourite isn’t quite the right word.
Music and TV streaming habits. What do you subscribe to?
Spotify, Spotify, Spotify, Netflix, SBS, Disney+, ABC Kids, Spotify, Spotify, Spotify.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
I hate PowerPoint.
In five years' time I'll be:
Hopefully happy, healthy, still learning and being the best parent I can be.
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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