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.
Scout Houghton: sales executive, Melbourne at Paramount
Time in current role/time at the company:
Two and a half years at Paramount in Melbourne.
How long have you been in the industry?
My first job in media was at Paramount, so just over two years.
How did you get here? Was this always the plan?
Like almost everyone I know in the industry, I fell into media. I was looking for a job after working in retail for a long time and really wanted a change from what I was doing. After finding a Paramount job advertised on Seek, I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of a global brand.
Who is your right-hand person/who guides you day to day?
I have a lot of influences throughout the industry and a lot of people who have helped me get to where I am, however, I must say that Jin Subasinghe has been the master of my development and taught me everything I know. With Jin now being on maternity leave, my new right-hand person is Georgia Ratcliffe who has slid into the GSM role effortlessly.
What’s the best thing about the industry you work in?
I know this is a common answer throughout the industry however, I would have to say the people I get to work with both internally and externally are what drives me and gets me excited to come into work every day.
Apart from the people, I love that not one day is the same in media. I could be working on a huge sponsorship one day and hosting clients at the Formula One Australian Grand Prix the next.
And the biggest challenge?
Knowing what to sell and when to sell it to your advertisers. The advertising landscape is so vast and expansive that one size does not fit all, so navigating through different client’s wants and needs is challenging sometimes. However, this is all part of the fun!
Whose job have you set your sights on in the future?
I would love to continue climbing the ladder in media and hopefully one day can be in a position where I can help to influence young and upcoming media stars.
Where do you turn for inspiration?
My main inspiration would be my friends, family and work colleagues, even though they don’t know it. Their creative ideas and funny little comments help me solve various issues and problems that may arise in the work day.
Tell us one thing people at work don’t know about you?
I lived in Rural QLD for nine months when I was 16 years old.
In five years' time, I'll be:
Hopefully I’ve moved up in the industry and still loving what I do.
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