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 Maxus national head of trading Ricky Chanana.
This time we speak to The Store CEO Rob Draper
Duration in current role/time at the company:
Two years in current role in Aus, (Six years with WPP Group Internationally)
How would you describe what the company does?
The Store is the worlds most comprehensive shopper marketing resource; it’s a new way to build exactly what you need with multiple agencies and experts from WPP AUNZ, all tailored and focused specifically on your products, projects and plans.
What does your role involve?
Understanding how we can better service existing and new clients with the significant scale and expertise now at our disposal in Australia and New Zealand as WPP AUNZ.
Within the last six months/year, what stands out as the company’s major milestones?
Winning new regional clients such as Logitech across all 14 markets in Asia Pacific and significantly improving our total offering for existing WPP AUNZ clients such as Moet Hennessy Australia. We’ve recently set up an office in Melbourne as well as Sydney to cater for the demand being received.
Best thing about the industry you work in:
The people, both internally at WPP AUNZ and externally in the form of our clients who we’ve put group team models together for.
Previous industry related companies you have worked at:
2011 – 2015 Founder and Managing Director of Barrows Asia Pacific, a WPP Retail Specialist Company, based out of Singapore (also set up offices set up in Beijing and Shanghai during this time too). 2006-2010 Sales Director and executive committee shareholder of One Digital Media (the largest retail digital signage business in Africa). 2004-2006 Currency and commodity futures trader at Macquarie Bank in Sydney.
Career-wise, where do you see yourself in three years time?
In Australia - I’ve spent 9 years overseas setting up marketing businesses both independently and for WPP during this time which has been an incredible learning curve, but I couldn’t be happier to now be back home in Australia which is where I see my future.
What is the elephant in the room? The thing that no one is talking about – but they should be.
Amazon Australia.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
I usually sleep for 10 hours a night… or at least I used to until my wife and I had a baby girl a couple of weeks ago, now I’m lucky to get two.
Top networking tip:
Be yourself
My favourite restaurant for a business lunch is:
Chiswick
My favourite advert is:
KFC ‘Take my money’
My must-have gadget is:
My Ultimate Ears portable bluetooth speaker
My favourite media is:
Retail
My favourite TV show is:
Have you been paying attention
The last book I read:
Help, I’m a Dad!
My mantra / philosophy is:
Be comfortable being uncomfortable
I got into advertising because:
It was more fun than trading currencies
If I wasn't doing this for a living, I'd be:
Living the dream in Queenstown
In five years' time I'll be:
Having a frothy with my close mates
Define your job in one word:
Listen
What's your poison:
Carlton Draught
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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