Young Gun profiles takes a look at the young talent across the Australian advertising, adtech, marketing and media sector. Aiming to shed light on the varying roles, people and companies across the buzzing industry.
Ashlee Barnes, business analyst, oOh!media
Time in current role/time at the company:
1.5 years in current role and 5 years at oOh!media
How long have you been in the industry?
5 years in Out of Home
How did you get here? Was this always the plan?
Definitely not! Honestly, when I left university, I was willing to accept pretty much any job that was offered to me and I was lucky that one of my first interviews was for Adshel. I accepted the job offer as campaign planning coordinator immediately. After about one and half years in the role I was promoted to team leader, and it was during this time that I became exposed to technology at oOh!.
I was fortunate to be involved in a few big projects and quickly discovered that being part of developing the platforms that would allow oOh! to continue being the leading out of home company is where I wanted to be. When I heard there was an opportunity in the technology department, I reached out and applied for a business analyst role and here I am!
Who is your right-hand person/who guides you day to day?
I’ve had a few right-hand people over my five years, however in my current role it’s hard to go past my manager Nick Jackett. When I stepped into this role I was pretty clueless about a lot of the structures and ceremonies in technology and it wouldn’t be without the assistance, patience and kindness of my team, and especially Nick, that has allowed me to really enjoy the work I’m doing now. He’s the first person I call when something goes wrong, or right, and whilst he trusts me to make decisions he will always step in and guide me when things aren’t going to plan.
What’s the best thing about the industry you work in?
Absolutely the people have to be one of the best things about working in out of home and oOh!. We are a fast-moving industry where things can change rapidly in terms of strategy and implementation, but the people I work with are prepared to be open-minded and solutions focused whilst working through complex problems.
And the biggest challenge?
Whilst it’s one of the most exciting things about working in this industry, the fast-paced landscape of media can also be the most challenging, particularly from a technology stand-point. It can be a real task to truly digest requirements and then be in charge of implementing a flexible yet scalable solution before these can potentially change again. But I can say that I am never bored.
Whose job have you set your sights on in the future?
I’m honestly very happy with where I am right now, I have a lot more to learn in my current role and develop my skills as a BA. I definitely miss the people management side of my previous role, so in the future I would like to expand into a management role but definitely still in the area I am in now.
Where do you turn for inspiration?
As cliché as this is, definitely my mum - a female who has climbed the ranks in a heavily male dominated industry. Not only is she one of the smartest people I know, but has a unique ability to separate work from home life and allows herself a healthy balance. I don’t know how she does it! She still makes time to mentor young women and volunteer in spaces she is passionate about and I definitely aspire to apply all of those things into my own career.
My favourite advert is (and why): (please include a link)
It’s got to be the Qantas – Feels like Home series of ads. An Aussie classic and really pulls on the heart strings!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoTBu9uRKLo
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
One thing people probably don’t know about me is that I’ve been to four high schools in three countries. Quite the adventure growing up, but I think has made me more adaptable and flexible at work too.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
I’d love to see myself in a people leading role, I enjoy helping other people reach their personal and career goals.
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