Young Guns: Jennifer Lao at MiQ

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.

Jennifer Lao: sales manager at MiQ

Time in current role/time at the company
Approaching three years at MiQ, and nine months as a sales manager. 

How long have you been in the industry?  

Seven years.

How did you get here? Was this always the plan?  
Having to decide a lifelong career at the age of 18 still puzzles me to this day. I looked at a list of majors in my commerce degree at uni and thought, 'hmm Marketing, that looks fun'. I'd never heard of an advertising agency until my first job at an independent agency post-graduation.

But that marked the start of my journey into media, primarily across offline channels. The allure of the digital world led me to dive into programmatic at Matterkind. Eager for new challenges, I then took a leap into sales at MiQ, where I now assist clients to solve business challenges using data and tech to build innovative solutions.

While my path may not have followed a meticulous plan, I've embraced the excitement of this industry and the constant pursuit of knowledge. I wouldn't trade the growth it has brought me for anything.

Who is your right-hand person/who guides you day to day?  
I'm incredibly lucky to be part of an amazing team at MiQ where I can count on my colleagues every single day. But if I had to pick my guiding stars, it would definitely be Elena Chats and Rhiannon Brown – two phenomenal female leaders. They are my go-to gurus for bouncing ideas, seeking advice, absorbing their wisdom, and gaining their wisdom to navigate various sticky situations successfully.

What’s the best thing about the industry you work in?  
Working with clients in a fast-paced environment that is driven by the constant innovations in data and tech. Every day presents a fresh set of challenges, providing continuous learning experiences that keep me at the forefront of the adtech industry.

By leveraging data-driven insights, we can create tailored solutions and strategic recommendations that meet the unique needs of our clients. It is this dynamic and collaborative process that consistently keeps me motivated and engaged, to deliver results.

And the biggest challenge?  
Burnout – even after all these years in the media industry, it still manages to sneak up on me. When you're passionate about delivering exceptional work for your clients, it's easy to neglect self-care. But hey, here's a friendly reminder to hit that pause button, recharge, and indulge in some well-deserved self-care. After all, taking a break is the secret ingredient to sustaining long-term success.

Whose job have you set your sights on in the future?  
While aiming for a c-suite or director-level position would be fantastic, it's not just about the title for me. My aspiration is to be a key player in the leadership team, guiding passionate team members toward success and making a positive impact on the industry.

Where do you turn for inspiration?  
I have a love-hate relationship with social media. Addicted to the endless scroll transports me to a world of inspiring images, boundless creativity, and great content.

Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?  
There isn't too much to know, but I do have a secret talent for juggling flaming torches. Kidding.

In five years' time, I'll be:
I don't even have next year figured out, let alone five years from now. I've learned not to dwell on rigid plans but instead embrace the excitement of the unknown. Life has a funny way of surprising us, and I'm open to whatever comes my way.