AdNews asked industry figures for their assessment of 2022 and outlook for next year
Steve Fontanot - Commercial Managing Director, APAC, Havas Group & Managing Director, Havas Blvd
As I sit here, I find myself staring at the topic of this AdNews series - Perspectives.
For some people I’ve spoken to recently, these past years have given us a healthy (possibly unhealthy?) dose of perspective. Whether it be on work or personal life, it seems we’ve been doing some star gazing.
This year, ‘perspective’ was forced upon me when I was admitted into the emergency department in early January, for a suspected brain bleed. Thankfully it was a false alarm, although the pain was very real. While in the ICU I was told that it was looking like either brain cancer or a tumor. It rocked my world. A day later I was advised it was a mistaken diagnosis, only to be called again the following day to say that a brain tumor was back on the cards. Three days later, I was cleared again. It was one heck of a roller coaster ride.
I spent the following months going to tests, scans, and medicalappointments. When I wasn’t seeing a doctor, I was on the couch heavily medicated. As the pain started to subside and the medical folks started to get on top of things, I started to ease back into life. This isn’t a commentary on the state of our overworked and underpaid healthcare system - they really are doing the best they can.
While much of 2022 was a real pain in the arse head for me, I did learn a lot. So, instead of speaking tomy perspective on the industry (I’ll let others focus on that), I’ll speak to the ‘perspective of perspective’. With the new year fast approaching it’s a time for reflection. A time to identify what’s important to you and why. For me, the items on the ‘important’ list remain the same, but the ordering, and how I demonstrate their importance, has changed. Here’s a snapshot on a few…
Home-front: We attract people who become our nearest and dearest. Trust me, when the chips are down, you’ll need great people around you. Be a good human and it comes back in spades.
Location lottery: I’m proud to be first-generation Australian and grateful to live in a country with access to a solid health system - it’s not perfect, but overall, I feel lucky.
Career: I’d be lying if my career didn’t change in my priority list this year. I love our industry and think I always will. While it remains high on my list, let’s be real, without your health, what good is a good career?
Health: Without it, you have nothing. Oh, and anyone who tells you that mental health isn’t as important as physical health is a goose. Health is health.
To wrap things up, my perspective is to encourage you to take the time to reflect. But don’t overcorrect and make rash decisions. If you take time to reflect and prioritisein good times, you won’t have to do it in an emergency (or while heavily sedated!). Finally, I’d like to thank everyone who brightened up my year – you kept me sane and laughing, even on the dark days. I’m well on the path to recovery and excited for what’s to come. How’s that for a bit of perspective?
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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