The MFA’s NGEN Award gives media agency executives with less than five years’ experience the opportunity to create positive impact by using their core skills: strategic thinking, creativity, storytelling and media execution expertise. NGENers were this year invited to respond to a brief for youth mental health organisation Batyr.
AdNews presents, Meet the NGEN Award Finalists: Cameron Ho, Performance Executive, Match & Wood and Vedant Agarwal, Communications Executive, Match & Wood
How long have you been in the industry?
Cam: I started in June 2021, while finishing my last semester of uni.
Vedant: I have been in the industry for just over a year now. Fun times!
What attracted you to working in a media agency? Was this always the plan?
Cam: I’ve always felt that Match & Wood offers a huge amount of opportunity and career growth. Starting in the ad industry, my goal was really to try and gain as much experience as possible, as I wasn’t entirely sure where I wanted to be, or which field I wanted to specialise in. I think I was just lucky to fall into a role that fits me like a glove and allows me to continuously develop my skills and refine my thinking.
Vedant: This was never the plan. Like a lot of people in the media industry, I stumbled into this industry. What does attract me now is the idea and innovation that media brings to individuals and how it shapes your way of thinking.
What were your greatest lessons from the experience of entering the NGEN Award?
Cam: Be cognisant of the overall business problem and question whether you’re addressing it at each stage of the brief. Also, keep an open dialogue with your teammate and learn to balance each other’s strengths and work together. Learn to trust your gut but be receptive to feedback, let creativity flow but break out that fine-tooth data comb when needed, debate ideas but make executive calls when the time comes.
Vedant: Stay hungry, stay foolish! There is just about so much to learn and just about very little time – being open to feedback, having trust in someone you are working with and believing in yourself are some of the greatest lessons I have learnt and will be applying to my work.
What’s the best thing about the industry you work in?
Cam: I love that you can ask 10 marketers one question and get 10 entirely different answers. It’s cool that media is so diverse yet everything has the potential to somehow work together.
Vedant: The fact that the media industry welcomes people from different walks and backgrounds of life and has a place for everyone to participate in something.
What does the MFA industry purpose of ‘We Are The Changers’ mean to you?
Cam: To me, this really speaks to the evolution of media and recognising we work in an industry that prides itself on innovation and adaptability. Given that our work is so driven by current tastes and trends, I think it’s important to be future focused in how we plan and find new opportunities.
Vedant: Everything keeps evolving, I think we have some great leaders in the industry and the new generation (NGEN) are the face of media. MFA as ‘we are the changers’ helps ideate, support, and bring to life the new way of thinking for this industry.
Where do you plan to be in five years’ time?
Cam: I’d love to get more involved with strategy. There’s something very appealing about weaving knowledge together and forming a compelling story that just clicks with people. Honestly, I’m in awe of people that can take napkin notes and zap them into pitch-winning ideas. I’d also love to help a younger generation of advertisers one day, given I’ve had some incredible mentors over my journey.
Vedant: I see myself winning more awards, haha. On a serious note, I would like to be an integrated planner within the media industry with in-depth knowledge to solve bigger better problems, contribute to the bigger picture and lead with confidence.
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.