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.
Previously we met Caitlin Hibbert advertising manager at Pedestrian. Today, we meet Clemenger BBDO Sydney senior account manager Jess Peters.
Time in current role/time at the company:
Nearly 18 months
How long have you been in the industry?
7 years… (it’s gone by fast!)
How did you get here? Was this always the plan?
It was a happy accident to be honest. I never really knew what I wanted to do, and I think I struggled a lot at uni because I didn’t have a clear goal in mind. But when I started my first “proper” job at a start-up producing content videos for the hospitality industry, I finally felt like I’d found my feet.
The going was hard and you wear many hats at a start-up, but I just loved making things that moved people in some way. Now I know that advertising is so right for me – I don’t know many other industries where you get such a good balance of right-brain and left-brain.
Who is your right hand person/who guides you day to day?
My two bosses, Bel and Smaz are bloody awesome. They handle challenging situations with the best nature and show me that though our job is stressful, you can still do it all with a sense of humour.
What’s the best thing about the industry you work in?
Hands down the best thing is the people, especially at Clems. It’s the greatest collection of funny, supportive and genuinely interesting individuals in any industry in the world.
And the biggest challenge?
Protecting good work. Too many times a great idea gets diluted to something that has lost touch with the original brief or idea. I’m working on getting better at picking the right fights to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Whose job have you set your sights on in the future?
I do think one day, I’d like to make the switch to client side. I’m an absolute sucker for everything Nike does, so CMO?
Where do you turn for inspiration?
I sound like I’m trying to be out of a “7 things CEOs do before breakfast” article here, but I actually go for a run. It clears my mind and out of the fog usually comes an approach.
My favourite advert is (and why):
Cravendale, Cats with Thumbs. Beautifully weird and eerie.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
Ask and you shall receive. I think I’m a pretty open book, if you’re interested.
In five years' time I'll be:
Head of Marketing at Nike. Sound achievable?
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