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.
Today, we speak to MediaCom Brisbane senior executive Lucy Foot.
How long have you been in the industry?
Four and a half years.
Duration in current role/time at the company:
9 months and four and a half years at MediaCom.
What were you doing before this job and how did you get this gig?
A graphic design internship (that I hated) and finishing my business degree, my lecturer advertised a role at MediaCom and the rest is history.
Define your job in one word:
Ever-changing
What were your real and cliché expectations of working in the industry?
I didn’t really know what to expect starting in a media agency, like the majority of the people in this industry I still can’t articulate what I do to my parents.
How does the reality match up?
From the moment, I started in the industry I could tell that I had started in a fast-paced industry with limitless opportunity if you worked hard enough to keep up.
How would you describe what the company does and what does your role involve?
MediaCom is more than just a media agency, we partner with our clients to solve their communication and marketing challenges. This means that my role has a lot of scope, I could be meeting with clients to determine innovative ways to reach their target audience, I could be negotiating great deals to get great results, I could be participating in internal cultural or team programs, or I could be working on NGEN initiatives for the great good of the industry.
Best thing about the industry you work in:
The people. Hands down. Working with such a broad range of passionate people, there are so many different perspectives that every day brings a learning opportunity.
Any major hard learnings in the job so far?
Trying to keep up with the rapid pace, industry is constantly evolving so quickly and staying on top or ahead of the game and ensuring skill set stays relevant.
If you had to switch over to another department, which would it be and why?
The great thing about the Brisbane market in my role is that I am involved in all stages of a campaign from strategy and planning to implementation however if I had to change roles I would love to try my hand in the People & Culture team.
What's exciting you about the industry right now?
The constant evolution, what I am doing tomorrow, I might not be doing in a few weeks time.
What concerns you about the industry and its future?
Churn and burn. Learning how to switch off is a skill set we need to instill in our people as our access to technology increases.
Who's your right hand person/who guides you day to day?
My husband, he will always hear me out no matter how ridiculous what I am saying is and bring me back to reality, gently.
And your almighty mentor that you hope to dethrone?
This may be a career limiting move, Katherine Williams, our Brisbane MD - she is an inspiring, people first leader.
Career-wise, where do you see yourself in 2020 and how do you plan on getting there?
Who know’s what our industry and our roles will look like in three years time but I want to know I am contributing to make a positive change to people, whether it be working on consumer change campaigns, building relationships with clients or developing initiatives for the office/industry that will shape positive culture. My plan to get there is to continually learn, proactively leaning in to new opportunities, and continually pushing myself to get involved in the broader industry.
What is the elephant in the room? The thing that no one is talking about – but they should be.
As the battle for the lowest fee continues, how do we stay valued as agencies. That’s why we’ve got to constantly innovate in order to be the best in class business solution.
Where do you turn for inspiration?
Inspiration is everywhere but working in a smaller office with such a diverse group of people there is always someone to challenge your thinking or inspire you. I talk to people. I actively engage with people that have differing opinions to my own in order to challenge my thinking and be inspired.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
When I started at MediaCom I was living on a boat…never again.
Favourite advert is:
TV2 Denmark
What’s your personal motto?
Learn from everyone but do not lose yourself.
I got into advertising/ad tech/marketing etc.
I never really thought I would end up in media originally but the fast-paced nature is contagious and I learn something new every day from challenges we are faced, so I stayed.
If I wasn't doing this for a living, I'd be:
Interior designer with huge budgets.
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