Our Young Gun profile takes a 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 Verizon Media account manager Kim Dao.
Time in current role/time at the company:
11 months (Sept. 2018).
How long have you been in the industry:
Two years.
How did you get here? Was this always the plan?
My childhood dream was in fashion design, but I soon realised I loved wearing fashion and wasn’t cool enough to design it. I started off studying and working in PR but quickly found myself falling into and in love with the media industry. My first role was as an SEM specialist in an agency where I built my foundations and learnt all the tricks of the trade behind digital/biddable media. After wanting a more client facing role, I came across this account management position at Verizon Media and here I am today!
Who was your right-hand person/who guides you day to day?
I have a full set of limbs at Verizon that help guide me. I’m super lucky to be in an amazing team with 4 others – Hayley, Michael, Kanisius and Josh. I know that they will always have my back no matter what, whether it’s in the workplace or outside of work. We can always bounce ideas off each other and the daily banter is absolute GOLD.
What’s the best thing about the industry you work in?
100% the people! The day-to-day interactions with colleagues and clients makes every day a different experience. People and relationships are at the absolute core of our industry which is fitting in the trade of human attention (aka advertising). Lunches and the occasional drink are also bonus perks!
And the biggest challenge?
Not enough hours in a day. There are so many ideas to be harnessed, projects to evolve and people to see all within eight hours. Sometimes with the speed and momentum that the world of media travels, it’s easy to get caught up in it all. I’ve been trying my best to make time for myself – work smarter not harder.
Whose job have you set your sights on in the future?
There’s not a specific person’s job I have my eye on. I believe everyone has a different path and reason for being in the position they are today. I’m just going to take it day by day and see where it takes me. At the rate that digital is moving, who knows, I could be the first in my role.
Where do you turn for inspiration?
My best friends. We’ve known each other for over 15 years and they can attest to my brief premature quarter-life crisis right after highschool. I was a little lost and overwhelmed with adulting but they’ve stuck by me and supported me through it all. They’re all super smart and are smashing their career goals as health professionals and architects. According to them, I’ve always been a little TOO chatty and a little TOO “quirky” for a traditional job so they all agree that media/advertising is where I truly shine.
My favourite advert is:
Denver Water (2008)
I’m a huge supporter of sustainability and protecting the environment so this ad really struck a chord in me. I love how their values have transferred through not only the written message, but also amplified through their execution as well. It truly proves that you don’t need flashy graphics to make an impact and is such a clever way of thinking outside the box by using what is literally already in the box.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
I once sold 42 avocados as a waitress in one shift – that’s 84 servings! I also have 76 sets of Nanoblocks (mini lego sets). My goal is to be able to freestyle and build without instructions.
In five years’ time I’ll be:
Working overseas and living in a luxe studio apartment with a pet Corgi named Hashbrown.
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