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.
Nicholas Penny: Account manager at Quantcast.
Time at the company:
Six months
How long have you been in the industry?
Two years
How did you get here? Was this always the plan?
Media was definitely not the plan! I ran a personal training business in Sydney and Chinchilla working as a FIFO Personal Trainer in rural Queensland. I then went globe trotting for a few years and worked as a bellman in Canada and France. When I returned home a friend of mine convinced me to try my luck in the media industry so I started my career at Val Morgan Cinema before I made the move to the digital side here at Quantcast.
Who is your right-hand person/who guides you day to day?
I’ve got three right-hand superstars: Larissa Parry, my Technical Specialist who’s made it easier for me to sell and understand more about the digital landscape; my manager Luke Jones, who is my go-to when I need help on my daily tasks; and another colleague Marc Hiscock, who is an absolute wealth of knowledge with independent agencies and partnerships, so I try to pick his brain as much as possible.
What’s the best thing about the industry you work in?
The best thing about this industry is the people who work in it! I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked at two completely different organisations and across a variety of agencies and clients. Being exposed to so many different but like-minded people makes working in the industry so enjoyable.
And the biggest challenge?
Keeping up to date with everything that is constantly changing in the world of digital advertising! It’s very easy to fall behind if you don’t keep your eye on the ball. However, because it’s ever changing and ad tech is a relatively ‘young’ industry, there’s endless opportunities for new entrants. This is both a challenge and an opportunity, depending on how you see it.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I’m learning everyday and seeing where it takes me. However, I’d love to run a sales team at Quantcast someday.
Where do you turn for inspiration?
Bethany Hamilton, an American professional surfer who lost her left arm in a 2003 shark attack, but ultimately returned to the sport. She’s had three kids and still competed at Pipeline this year - truly inspiring!
My favourite advert is:
The iconic Lube Mobile ad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0-Nw2aA9jo
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
I did two stints of schooling in Paris, although my French is a little rusty these days.
Whose job have you set your sights on in the future?
This is a hard one, no one person in particular. I think it’s important to be open to every opportunity that comes your way as you never know what the future holds. In saying that… CEO has a pretty sweet ring to it right?
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