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 The Hallway senior account director Chris Murphy.
Time in current role/time at the company:
11 months.
How long have you been in the industry?
Seven years.
How did you get here? Was this always the plan?
Started as the first employee of a start-up agency in rural Yorkshire (England), set my sights on big London agencies, did that for a bit at Grey and Saatchi’s, then decided that I wanted to pursue my career in a place with sunshine, and so here I am!
Who is your right-hand person?
I don’t have a set person I turn to for guidance – it’s a combination of my family, friends and fellow Hallwaynians.
What’s the best thing about the industry you work in?
The people. I’ve been lucky enough to work with some incredible people that I genuinely don’t think I would have met if I’d chosen a ‘job’ over a career.
And the biggest challenge?
Demonstrating the value of long-term brand building in a time of rife short-termism. Marketer’s roles nowadays are largely tactical due to ambitious quarterly targets which puts an emphasis on quick-fire customer acquisition instead of creating a steady stream of business growth from brand-loyal customers.
Whose job have you set your sights on in the future?
Gary Vee – Chairman of Vayner Media
Where do you turn for inspiration?
I turn to my friends - as it’s good to get a perspective from someone outside of my own context.
My favourite advert is:
Client: Unilever
Brand: Pot Noodle, UK
Campaign name: The Ring
This ad is brilliant for three key reasons:
- Its simplicity. ‘Less time cooking, more time chasing your dreams’ – you instantly get the benefit as the consumer, despite it being insanely hyperbolic.
- Humour. There’s no denying this is hilarious, it gets funnier each time you watch it as you notice all the subtle queues that lead up to the grand reveal.
- Polarizing. Their competitors focus on the taste, ingredients, packaging etc, whereas these guys turned to the human benefit of ‘saving time’ and delivered it in a truly memorable way.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
I am a fiend for rom coms. Contrary to my Instagram content of gym fails, ‘rugby with the lads’ and Budgy Smuggler escapades - I do love sticking on a rom com and kicking back with a tub of Halo Top ice cream on a Friday night (normally alone).
In five years' time I'll be:
A published author and will be recognised for my contribution to retaining young talent in the industry.
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