Our Young Gun profile takes a look at some of the young talent across the advertising, adtech, marketing and media sector in Australia. It aims to shed light on the varying roles, people and companies across the buzzing industry.
Marissa Tsioutsis: Senior account manager, FiftyFive5
Time at the company:
Six months
How long have you been in the industry?
6+ Years
How did you get here? Was this always the plan?
Not exactly! I started with the classic Business Statistics unit in Uni and I can’t say I particularly liked it, but as I progressed through my degree and I did more and more I learnt to love it – and ended up doing an Internship at Colmar Brunton and never looked back!
Who is your right-hand person/who guides you day to day?
This is a hard one because I’m really guided by so many people, honestly right now I have incredible mentors here at FiftyFive5 that truly support me in work and life (particularly my director who really pushes me to be my best, but also my direct report Lily who is legitimately my right-hand gal).
What’s the best thing about the industry you work in?
The strong and incredible relationships you build not just with your colleagues through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, but your clients – they’re right beside you as those ‘ah-ha’ moments creep in, and the satisfaction of getting it right is second to none.
My colleague Roger Kong are the Australian winners this year of the Australian ‘Research Got Talent’ Award through the Australian Data and Insights Association and the global ESOMAR Foundation. Our submission was to help young people find a path out of homelessness with For Change.Co and we will now compete in the global competition in September. It’s great we can apply our skills to such a worthy cause.
And the biggest challenge?
When I say “lows”, sometimes you’re under the crunch with multiple jobs and harsh deadlines which can be tough! I’m sure everyone’s felt this – so the hardest aspect is keeping your cool and pushing through during these times.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Speaking publicly about the impact research I’ve completed has had, inspiring young researchers and mentoring – having a bigger role in the research world more broadly.
Where do you turn for inspiration?
A lot of it comes from everyday life, people around me and experiences I have, but also social media – seeing what brands are doing and what people are saying about them My favourite advert is: Honestly this one from Telstra is an old favourite, still makes me laugh.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
They probably don’t know that I’m an accident waiting to happen and have broken around seven bones – oops.
Whose job have you set your sights on in the future:
Maybe in the director’s seat, leading a great team. But I have lots of different thoughts about what my future will look like!
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