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.
Kate Brown, planning and trading executive at Atomic 212°
Time in current role/time at the company?
A little over two years.
How long have you been in the industry?
A little over two years… ha!
How did you get here? Was this always the plan?
Given international travel was off the cards (thank you, COVID) my ambitions to take an extended gap year abroad were unexpectedly quashed. To fill time, I enrolled to study a Business and Communications double degree at Western Sydney University.
Heading into my second year of study, and with mandates pertaining to travel still uncertain, seeking full time work seemed like the appropriate next step. I stumbled across Atomic 212°'s job notice for a planning and trading assistant and the rest, as they say, is history.
Who is your right-hand person/who guides you day to day?
I've had the absolute pleasure of working alongside Atomic 212°'s now national trading lead, Jay Malig. He has – and continues to be – an incredibly insightful planning and trading director. I do believe that it takes a village to learn the ropes of what we do, and as such, I also owe my growth to the wider team.
I’d also like to shout out Madeleine Mann, my self-appointed mentor. She's one of the smartest people I know and to have her guidance and support has been invaluable to my growth and development.
What’s the best thing about the industry you work in?
The people! Never could I have imagined meeting such talented and determined individuals.
And the biggest challenge?
Avoiding creative ruts. To say I don't experience them would be a lie. The challenge to keep extending myself creatively and analytically always remains rewarding, however.
Whose job have you set your sights on in the future?
There are many incredible women I greatly admire in leadership and creative roles. While different from my current, I’m curious about exploring more creative avenues as I believe my strengths lie in creative thinking and exploring out-of-the-box opportunities.
Where do you turn for inspiration?
Dare I say this may expose my age, but it would have to be social media – in all its glory. It can be such a profound hub of creativity and still offers much in the way of an exciting space for the future of advertising.
My favourite advert is:
This is forever changing. Had you asked me this when I was ten, I would've jumped at the opportunity to say the catchy Banana Boat or Old El Paso campaigns. Recently, however, the Jacquemus Bambino stunt has become a personal favourite with its convincingly life-like executions of the brand’s Bambino bags-as-vehicles rolling down the streets of Paris.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
That I'm a twin and I have dragged him into the media industry with me! He's one of the hardest working individuals I know, although I may be biased.
In five years' time I'll be:
A university graduate (finally) as well as kicking professional goals including entering a few young gun awards.
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