Our Young Guns profile takes a weekly look at some of the young talent across the advertising, ad tech, marketing and media sector in Australia. It aims to shed light on the varying roles, people and companies across the buzzing industry.
Today we speak to Blue 449 client executive Alice-Maree Raitt.
Time in current role:
Six months.
How long have you been in the industry?
This is my first job in media so I can say a whopping six months.
How did you get here?
I studied media as an undergrad at university and loved learning about how the media was like a mirror held to society. I got accepted into a PhD program and loved my research topic but really struggled with the solitude and lack of community that lead to a bit of burnout a year into the program. On a whim I applied for this job, kind of apprehensive about going into agency land but as soon as I met Bri and Garth in my interview I haven’t looked back at my research since.
Who is your right-hand person?
Bri Nottle is my client manager and with only the two of us working in the client team for Nando’s and The Royal Melbourne Show she’s definitely who I turn to to pump me up and who I turn to for endless guidance.
What’s the best thing about the industry you work in?
The learning never stops. There’s no time to get bored or complacent when there are constantly opportunities thrown at you to invest in knowledge and upskill.
And the biggest challenge?
Imposter Syndrome. Whether it’s writing a post campaign analysis or explaining why you’ve recommended a certain channel to a client, most things are fake it till you make it.
Whose job have you set your sights on in the future?
I can definitely myself working in strategy.
Where do you turn for inspiration?
I feel completely revitalised after visiting a gallery, especially ACCA in Melbourne. It’s not so much the beautiful things that get me inspired but seeing the ugly and unjust aspects of society turned into something really moving.
My favourite ad is:
I’m so infatuated with the Four Pillars Gin campaign that came out this summer. Firstly, because the aesthetic is perfect and catches my eye every time I see it and secondly, (probably most importantly) because I strongly believe that every G&T should be served with a slice of orange.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
I wouldn’t want to give away all of my secrets because that would take away from my air of mystery. I will reveal that I have a second Instagram account just for reviewing servos.
In five years' time I'll be:
Working in strategy on a couple of arts/music/alcohol clients, living in Fitzroy North with a pet greyhound called Bones, perhaps about to jump on a flight to the US for a road trip reviewing servos on new land.
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