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. Last week we spoke to Spark Foundry account manager Andrew Lim.
This week we speak to Dentsu Mitchell Melbourne client service executive Lisa Mack.
How long have you been in the industry?
One year.
Duration in current role/time at the company:
Dentsu Mitchell is the first agency I’ve worked for since I entered the industry a year ago. I started in a co-ordinator role and quickly progressed to the executive position I have today.
What were you doing before this job and how did you get this gig?
I was completing my Bachelor of Arts (Communications Major) at Monash University, as well as working part time jobs to keep myself busy. I am pretty good at making a great coffee now. I saw the coordinator role advertised and really wanted to get into agency life so I came in for an interview, I must have done something right because I was offered the role the same week, and started soon thereafter.
Define your job in one word:
Exciting – It’s go-go-go, which I love.
What were your real and cliché expectations of working in the industry?
Initially I didn’t know what to expect. I thought media always seemed fun and exciting but I assumed there would have to be hard work going on in the background… I didn’t know the majority was in Excel.
How does the reality match up?
There hasn’t been a dull moment since I walked in the door on my first day. It’s been a crazy ride, and the hard work part was definitely spot on. You know what they say though, work hard, play hard, and the media events make for a nice change of pace.
How would you describe what the company does and what does your role involve?
Dentsu Mitchell is a full service communication agency with capabilities across data, communication, planning, and trading and client service. It’s part of the Dentsu Aegis Network which permits plenty of opportunity for young people like myself. I’m part of the Federal Government non-campaign team, and I mostly manage the client service and media planning for the Northern Territory and ACT government accounts.
Best thing about the industry you work in:
I get to work with such a diverse group of talented people. I am constantly learning and I get the opportunity to meet people and experience things that I otherwise wouldn’t get to do. Playing footy with the pros at Punt Road Oval on my first day was a definite highlight – pretty hard to beat.
Any major hard learnings in the job so far?
Excel is life, embrace it.
If you had to switch over to another department, which would it be and why?
I’d love to expand my knowledge across non-government clients, learning about different industries and their individual challenges and how I can work with them to solve their marketing challenges.
What's exciting you about the industry right now?
It’s always changing. Technology changes, the digital economy evolves constantly; at this rate I will never be out of a job, there are always new opportunities.
What concerns you about the industry and its future?
I think a big one for the industry, which has really come to the surface recently is around transparency. With increasing use of programmatic buys and third party data sources, ensuring transparency between media agencies and clients, as well as where we are sourcing data from is going to be crucial moving forward.
Who's your right hand person/who guides you day to day?
I’m lucky I have right hand people, rather than just one person. Our team is very collaborative, with most of us starting at the same time has meant leaning on each other a lot. Sharing knowledge and learnings has been essential to our success.
Career-wise, where do you see yourself in 2020 and how do you plan on getting there?
Wow, 2020 doesn’t seem that far away anymore. At this stage I am taking every learning opportunity that presents itself. There’s so much scope in our industry which allows me to keep my options open and see what opportunities presents themselves.
Where do you turn for inspiration?
To my right- ha-ha or at least around the office. There are so many people at the company doing some very impressive things and making tracks in the industry. Being quite new it’s inspiring to see what can be achieved in the field.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
They probably know everything- too much even, we spend our days narrating our lives- much to the disgust of a few guys on the team.
Favourite advert is:
Its going back a while but one that always sticks in my mind is the “It’s a Big Ad” for Carlton Draught.
What’s your personal motto?
If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
I got into advertising/ad tech/marketing etc. because:
Basically because it looked interesting. I want to go to work every day excited by what I might learn. I think seeing how media and advertising plays a role in our everyday life keeps it fresh and relevant for me. I’m much more aware now, and on my way to work I am always looking at who has the latest buyout of Southern Cross station, or who is doing an activation on the street.
If I wasn't doing this for a living, I'd be:
Using my arts degree - probably still making coffees.
Got a nomination for a Young Gun or think you are one yourself? Email lindsaybennett@yaffa.com.au
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