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 Wavemaker Adelaide client director - government Kirby McDonald.
Time in current role/time at the company:
I’ve been with Wavemaker for over nine years and currently lead the SA Government team, I have been in this role since March 2018.
How would you describe what the company does?
We help our clients grow their business through strategic data-driven thinking and creativity, generating outcomes and solutions, beyond media.
What do you do day-to-day?
I lead the team working across the Government of South Australia and its departments including tourism, higher education and public services. Our campaigns impact the lives of everyday South Australian citizens – whether it be quitting smoking, road safety or public health issues such as COVID-19.
Define your job in one word:
Dynamic.
I got into advertising because:
I enjoyed media planning as a course during my Marketing (Management) degree at UniSA and loved the idea of working across a number of clients/industries in the marketing/advertising space.
What’s the biggest challenge you face in your role?
It’s not necessarily just my role, but I think right now for many, a challenge is being a successful leader, inspiring and coaching others - when we are going through these unprecedented times. It of course offers experience like nothing else, but it can be tough mentally. Building resilience is key.
What’s the biggest industry-wide challenge you’d like to see tackled?
Clearer strategy and connection between overall objectives and (quantitative) measures of success.
Previous industry related companies you have worked at:
None! I was a fresh-faced uni student when I started at Wavemaker (formerly MEC)!
Notable campaigns you have worked on:
I’m very proud of the campaigns we delivered to market in 2020 – we worked closely with the Department of the Premier and Cabinet to deliver critical COVID-19 information to South Australian citizens.
We also worked closely with Department for Health and Wellbeing (SA Health) for all their health related COVID communications – including the most recent “Make sure you’re covered” campaign when we had our November lockdown and spike in cases.
My husband brought a mask home one Saturday and I nearly cried with joy!
I’ll forever remember the experience of working with fantastic, dedicated marketers and delivering these campaigns during such a critical time.
Who has been a great mentor to you and why?
Michael Harris, executive director, WPP Government & Public Sector Practice AUNZ. I was under 30 when I took on my current role, and Michael has always offered his time, advice and experience and connections to me.
Words of advice for someone wanting a job like yours?
You have to be ambitious, hardworking and ready to pivot to changes as needed.
If I wasn’t doing this for a living, I’d be:
In event management.
My mantra is:
I’ve always loved this quote from Margaret Thatcher: “What is success? I think it is a mixture of having a flair for the thing that you are doing; knowing that it is not enough, that you have got to have hard work and a certain sense of purpose”.
My favourite advert is:
I can’t go past the genius that is Sharon Strzelecki and Kim Kardashian for Uber Eats!
Music and TV streaming habits. What do you subscribe to?
Spotify although my puppy now uses it more than I do! Listening to their “Coffee & Chill” playlist keeps him happy while I’m WFHing.
Netflix, Stan and Hayu (love me some Real Housewives!).
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
I am an open book and probably overshare haha!
In five years' time I'll be:
Hopefully able to have a holiday overseas with my hubby (fingers crossed!).
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
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