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.
Rory Hocknell: client partner at Unpacked by Flybuys
Time in current role/time at the company:
I’ve been a client partner at Unpacked by Flybuys for just over a year.
How long have you been in the industry?
I’ve been in the industry for five and a half years, which has flown!
How did you get here? Was this always the plan?
It’s been quite an interesting journey into the land of marketing.
I jumped around from a love of performing arts and playing the flute in high school, to studying biomedical science at university in hopes of either becoming a researcher or a doctor. Then it was an internship at Ogilvy CommonHealth that introduced me to the world of media and advertising. From there, there was no turning back! As soon as my studies were up, I set my sights on a role at Atomic212 and landed a programmatic executive role there.
Who is your right-hand person/who guides you day to day?
I’d say my right-hand person is my boss and head of sales, Chris Scudder. I also have to give special mention to Erin Campbell, the recruiter who helped land me the role at Unpacked. Prior to Unpacked I’d always worked on the technical side of programmatic, though Erin and Chris really helped push me to transition into sales and partner management, which I’m loving.
What’s the best thing about the industry you work in?
Apart from the events as well as wining-and-dining, I truly love the people that I work with, and seeing campaigns come to life.
And the biggest challenge?
I’d say the biggest challenge is educating clients around our products as well as why programmatic data is so important in a media landscape where FMCG can often be quite focused on reach. The other biggest challenge is explaining to my family what I do for work (no Mum, it’s not IT).
Whose job have you set your sights on in the future?
Not that I’d try to push her out, but I really admire MiQ’s managing director, Fiona Roberts, and the work she’s put into getting to where she is today.
Where do you turn for inspiration?
Being naturally curious and creative, I always like to see what’s happening media wise overseas. I also turn to my close media friends to keep across the latest trends and to help drive that inspiration.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
During high school I was a national swimmer, and I also completed a diploma for the flute.
In five years' time, I'll be…
In Europe, working within the programmatic industry either selling, trading, or consulting.
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