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 Spark Foundry strategy director Zoe Edwards.
Time in current role:
2.5 years.
How long have you been in the industry?
10 years.
How did you get here? Was this always the plan?
I wasn’t sure what to do at university and picked marketing and advertising a bit randomly. Luckily for me, I loved it and managed to score an agency role straight after uni and have never looked back since.
Who is your right-hand person?
I live in Melbourne so currently my right-hand person has morphed into my doggo in this WFH life. Missing all my friends in the office. Zoom calls don’t really cut it.
What is the best thing about the industry you work in?
There are a lot of great things about our industry. Advertising reflects and shapes society and culture. It’s exciting to think that we have opportunities to influence that in our day-to-day roles through the work we do with clients. At Spark, we’re committed to creating famously effective work – the energy, commitment and diversity of thinking across all our different disciplines to bring the work to life really shows why our industry is so great.
And the biggest challenge?
Currently it’s being separated from everyone. Spark has grown enormously over the past year and there are so many people I have never met in person which is a little strange. I can’t wait for us to all be together in the same room again!
Whose job have you set your sights on in the future?
Hopefully, a similar role to my boss Anna Cherry. She’s been an inspiration in figuring out my career path.
Where do you turn for inspiration?
So many places – such as my colleagues, especially our Spark strategy team, which is full of brilliant minds. I also love books, podcasts, and I sign up for different newsletters that keep me constantly inspired including Genius Steals, The Drum and, of course, AdNews.
My favourite advert is:
A recent one is the Qantas Fly Away ad. The storylines, the music, and the message of hope was so bang on and something that has clearly resonated with so many Australians. It brought a tear to my eye!
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
I’m a bit of an open book, so I’m not sure there’s much they don’t know.
In five years’ time I will be:
Hopefully on a holiday somewhere wonderful that is further than a 5km radius of my home.
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