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.
Selena Clark: group sales director - agency & key accounts QLD at News Corp
Time in current role/time at the company:
Four and a half years at News Corp.
How would you describe what the company does?
We inform, advocate and inspire. Our trusted content spans multiple channels and platforms and our influential products and brands draw consumers to notice, want and buy our partners brands, reaching more than 18.1M Australians a month.
What do you do day-to-day?
I lead a high performing sales team to help our clients and agency partners produce campaign solutions that deliver real business outcomes, whilst ensuring our brands and products are best represented in the market. No day is ever the same, keeps it interesting!
Define your job in one word:
Dynamic.
I got into marketing/advertising/media/tech because:
I had a passion for live entertainment and events as a young teenager. I studied Entertainment & Events and was lucky enough to get some great work experience with some local legends at Secret Sounds (for Splendour in the Grass). I thought I had totally made it as a 16-17 year old with an 'All Access Pass' and getting to meet some big names. I was hooked on the thrill and pace of seeing it all come together. Fast forward a year later and I moved to Sydney and applied for any job that I could in the media and entertainment space. I was lucky enough to land a job in my first interview for a TV coordinator, now 17 years on and here I am. In my role at News Corp Australia, I am lucky to get the rush of adrenaline I felt all those years ago on the daily, whether it be working on branded events, client events, new briefs, tight deadlines or live campaigns. The depth and breadth of our network means we can play in so many spaces.
What’s the biggest challenge you face in your role?
Time and balance.
What’s the biggest industry-wide challenge you’d like to see tackled?
Measurement, audience fragmentation and the quality, quantity and relevance of media placements. Today marketers and brands are challenged like never before. The ability to earn the attention of the right customer at the right time has been challenged by the death of the third party cookie and rapid shifts in consumer sentiment. Here at News Corp Australia, we are really passionate about providing the right solutions to tackle this and know context and content is and always will be king. Through our authoritative brands, products like Shoppable, and vertical video, and advanced contextual targeting capabilities we are working to provide marketers with the best options to target consumers in the moments that matter with purpose built brand content. All backed up by third party measurement.
Notable campaigns you have worked on:
I'm really proud of the advocacy work we get to do here at News Corp Australia. Being able to know that you and your business can not only move product and help with brand awareness but also change peoples lives and advocate for those that don’t have a voice is a pretty great feeling and something we are all super proud to be a part of. Even through our local trade and entertainment we always try to make sure we are giving back to the community whether that be our annual children's Christmas toy drive or getting our teams out to volunteer for our Courier-Mail Children's fund or a local charity.
Who has been a great mentor to you and why?
I’ve had some great positive influences along the way that have taught me a lot and I have been really lucky to be surrounded by some smart, authentic and relatable boss ladies. A lot of them I have the pleasure of working with at News Corp each day.
Words of advice for someone wanting a job like yours?
Show up, work hard and be patient. Authenticity is key and finding the opportunity/positive in every situation. Also don’t be afraid to ask for what you want and always make your intentions clear.
If I wasn't doing this for a living, I'd be:
Curating the ultimate gourmet grocer/ fancy take away eatery/ gift store or events space.
My mantra is:
Always lead with grace, kindness and empathy
My favourite advert is:
Locally, I love the annual LAMB (M&LS) ads each year (This years is great) I also love the Snickers ads 'You’re not you when you’re hungry'.
Music and TV streaming habits. What do you subscribe to?
TV streaming, I have them all. It’s a sickness. Big TV streaming fan! I'm also an Apple music gal (a rarity I know).
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
I wanted to be a Perfumer when I was young and loved mixing scents and making my own (not always good) potions.
In five years' time, I'll be:
I hope to be happy, fulfilled and thriving. Hopefully lucky enough to still be working with and leading a high performing team of media superstars.
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