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 Steven Sheridan, SEO Manager, iProspect:
Time in current role/time at the company:
10 Months
How long have you been in the industry?
Just under 4 years
How did you get here? Was this always the plan?
Not really… I had heard about an internship running at an agency in Sydney and I thought what the heck I might as well apply for it despite not really knowing what I was getting myself into! Next thing I know I was offered the role but came at a bad time because I was already in the process of doing my last semester of my degree over in the United States and thought to myself “dang not going to get a job with these guys now!”.
I must have made an impression though, because they offered me the role again when I returned home!
Who is your right-hand person/who guides you day to day?
Hard to pin this down to one person! I’ve been pretty lucky that most the people I’ve worked closely with have all been super helpful in sharing their knowledge and helping me develop my career.
What’s the best thing about the industry you work in?
For me it’s the people you meet who share their knowledge and collaborate on projects no matter the size or budget. It’s people like this that make each day unique and enjoyable!
And the biggest challenge?
Cutting through the fluff of the media industry to get to things that can provide meaningful change and help push the needle at the end of the day.
Whose job have you set your sights on in the future?
Coming from a search background I’m convinced there’s a bigger and more strategic role in bridging the gap between media and search at all levels.
Not sure this role currently exists so might have to see if I can create it!
Where do you turn for inspiration?
Might sound cliché but this would be my Dad. He’s had a very successful career as an engineer travelling all over the world and has a very logical/systematic approach to his way of thinking which I try to apply to my everyday life.
My favourite advert is (and why):
Paul’s Smarter Milk Ad – to me this is one of the funniest & simplest ads I’ve seen and is super quotable which helps with long term ad retention.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
I won the national championship for tae kwon do when I was 14
In five years' time I'll be:
A few steps further along the corporate ladder having ideally just come back home from doing a working/living stint somewhere overseas or still doing it! Hopefully my dream of gardening leave is also a bit closer!
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.