Our Young Gun profile takes a look at some of the young talent across the advertising, adtech, 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 Eleven business manager Erin Dowling.
Time in current role/time at the company:
One year, eight months.
How long have you been in the industry?
Six years.
How did you get here? Was this always the plan?
University gave me my introduction to communications and advertising, but after watching shows like The Gruen Transfer I knew it was the industry for me.
Interning early on I also got my first taste of agency life and that reaffirmed I’d made the right career choice.
Since then, I’ve worked in a handful of agencies in Melbourne and a stint at a not-for-profit.
Who is your right-hand person/who guides you day to day?
I’m lucky that I get to work with a bunch of amazing PR specialists at Eleven, an integrated agency with TBWA\Melbourne. I also get to work across a variety of different disciplines including creative, strategy and production.
What’s the best thing about the industry you work in?
Creativity. Using creativity to find new ways to solve problems while working with the media on the creation of news is a pretty great gig.
And the biggest challenge?
Breaking into this industry can be difficult for university graduates – entry-level roles in public relations require a base level of knowledge. More needs to be done at a both a university and internship level to ensure that upcoming talent are qualified and have the required industry and media understanding.
Whose job have you set your sights on in the future?
Our general manager Kiefer Casamore – but don’t tell him that.
Where do you turn for inspiration?
I get most of my inspiration from what is happening in culture and news. I’m a big fan of podcasts like Shameless and The Daily Aus – while educational podcasts like Stuff You Should Know are great to learn about new topics.
My favourite advert is:
I love what Netflix has done to launch the newest season of Sex Education. The “National Pleasure Survey” was used across owned, earned and paid channels. It showcases how important integrated campaigns are in driving talkability and social engagement when launching a new offering.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
While I love to cook, I have a habit of burning anything I put in a fry pan – to the point I always leave a chair under the fire alarm when cooking.
In five years' time I'll be:
Hopefully, leading my own PR team as an account director.
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