Our Young Guns profile takes a weekly 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 Adshel marketing executive Annabelle Nielsen.
Time in current role/time at the company:
Just shy of two years
How long have you been in the industry?
Just shy of three years
How did you get here? Was this always the plan?
Funnily enough I started off studying fashion and business at FBI fashion college dreaming of a role as an editor.
I’m a strong believer in internships, I think they’re an awesome way to explore opportunities and get a feel of what it’s really like to work in a certain industry. The best way to learn for me is to be thrown into the deep end, so that’s exactly what I did. A couple of internships later, I found myself really drawn into the hustle and bustle of PR and brand communications.
I moved into a Bachelors degree in Business and PR and found myself working in a marketing and communications role, all while studying full time. Working all day and studying at night and weekends was a tough gig, but I really got the most out of it, everything I was learning I could apply to my job. I finished my degree, travelled Europe, landed a job in out-of-home with Adshel and haven’t looked back since.
Who is your right hand person/who guides you day to day?
I would have to say my marketing team. I can genuinely say I work with the best group of people. They support me every day, the conversations we have inspire me, I’m constantly challenged and I don’t go a day without having a good laugh.
What’s the best thing about the industry you work in?
We’re in an industry that’s highly competitive but at the end of the day, when we all come together, we’re striving for the same goals and investing in the future of out-of-home (and it is a really exciting future).
And the biggest challenge?
I’d have to say how fast the industry is advancing. We’re at a point where out-of-home has a lot of momentum, there’s so much potential in the industry and we’re moving at a rapid pace to meet consumer demands. We need to remain open minded about future possibilities.
Whose job have you set your sights on in the future?
I don’t think I can say that there’s one role in my sights. The great thing about working in an industry that’s so fast moving is that the future has plenty of potential, including new challenges and new roles.
I do know that I’ll be working in a role that makes an impact, constantly challenges the norm and hopefully inspires the next generation of marketers.
Where do you turn for inspiration?
Inspiration starts with a clear mind. The gym is my go to place to just clear the head, get a fresh perspective on things and re-energize.
I’m also quite a fiend for ‘motivational’ quotes and books. I love hearing other people’s success stories and draw a lot of inspiration from them. I’m reading Emma Isaacs ‘Winging it’ at the moment and it really just challenges you to think differently and just go for it!
My favourite advert is (and why):
Spotify’s thanks, 2016. It’s been weird and make next year a great one with ‘2018 goals’.
Music is something that is so relatable for individuals and people really connect to it emotionally. They’ve utilised the power of emotion and the scale of outdoor to amplify messages and ignite a sense of humour.
The clever use of user data and insight to generate a global campaign that talks to millions of individuals to me is so simple but so genius.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
We spend more time with work colleagues than anyone else … I would have to say they know me and my sweet tooth pretty well.
In five years' time I'll be:
Five years older, five years wiser, working on that role of the future.
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