Women In Media: It’s The Guardian’s Margy Vary!
It’s another Women in Media profile, and today we’re picking the brains of the wonderfully fascinating Margy Vary, head of marketing at The Guardian. Through this profile, we discovered that she listens to Wu-tang, hates the word ‘disruption’ and once got busted swigging wine from a bottle in a Google Hangout, making her our new favourite person.
Describe your average day?
3am I check emails from NY and London, and try not to email anyone in Australia so they don’t find out about my embarrassing post-natal body clock. Back to sleep till 7am, when it’s all on with the kids and the double school/day care drop-off, and riding my bike to work.
Check media alerts, update on editorial news agenda, check-in with my team about any urgent actions or opportunities that day, plus some random chat to start the day with a laugh.
Then it’s a mix of internal meetings, brainstorms, external partnership catch-ups, hasty speech writing, strategic planning, buying a cheap velvet couch for the office, and finding out how I can support what the commercial, editorial and events teams are up to. Bike home to pick up kids, dinner, bath, bed, then either some Youtube / Iview indulgence or conference call with London.
Read the same paragraph of a novel from the night before. Try not to check emails again before going to sleep. Completely fail to share any of that on social media.
What drives you?
The butterfly effect – start an idea, nudge it along, share it, involve people who can develop it into a campaign that ultimately changes lives.
What has been your favourite job in media and why?
My current job, which covers about 20 different disciplines, and involves daily encounters with brilliant people. I die with routine. I love working with women who are smarter than me. Luckily at The Guardian we have plenty!
What would be your ultimate role?
I’d like to work for a philanthropic organisation helping fair trade businesses get off the ground.
What’s your quirkiest attribute?
According to my colleagues, I am ‘the definition of quirk’. I look like Olive Oyl, drive an imported red Cube (which looks like a Postman Pat van), listen to Wu-tang, eat bugs and am fluent in Olde English.
One thing no one knows about you?
I made a profit out of going to private school (by winning a grant and scholarship worth more than the fees). And then became the only Head Girl ever to be expelled.
What are advertising/marketing’s biggest challenges or threats?
I think in the mad rush to use personal data we’re going to risk getting the door slammed in our faces.
We also have not just an ethical responsibility but an economic imperative now to re-think the neo-liberal capitalist system, and envision a more holistic idea of success within our businesses and broader communities. Professional women can play a vital role in this transformation.
What do you think are the most exciting things in the marketing and creative world at the moment?
Impact and cause-related marketing, the shift towards making acts rather than ads, and the consumer call-out for proof of triple-bottom line activities from corporate bodies.
In terms of tech, I’m excited to see how VR can be used to develop empathy. The Guardian’s first foray into VR is called 6X9, a project which tests your ability to survive in solitary confinement, and so questions its use in a corrective system.
There’s huge potential for this kind of technology to be used by brands to deliver uniquely personal, mind-changing experiences.
If you were CEO what would you do differently?
Run the office from a forest. Add a crèche. Add sleep pods. Tax the use of meaningless PR jargon like ‘moving forward’ and ‘thought leadership’ and use the money to run an indigenous journalist internship programme.
Hardest lesson you’ve had to learn (in or out of workforce)?
That I’m not always the best at my job. That people don’t always like me.
Tea or coffee?
I can’t live without tea. I can’t work without coffee. So I guess tea.
Cats or dogs?
Neither in Australia. When I married a scientist I took on an endless stream of native co-habitants, from scorpions to lizards to giant stick-insects.
Guilty pleasure?
Op-shopping and ethical smugness.
What’s your favourite TV programme?
This month it’s the Katering Show. The laughing is so good for my abs.
What turns you on, emotionally, creatively, spirituality?
I’m a human sponge, I absolutely thrive on everyone else’s energy, ideas, warmth and creativity.
What turns you off?
TLA’s (three letter acronyms). Confusing multi-person conference calls. My colleague recently accidentally invited our UK analyst team to a threesome. And I’ve been busted drinking from a wine bottle on a Google Hangout.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
I’d love to be a builder. I got my ‘owner builder’ certificate when my husband and I renovated our house. Some of my happiest moments have involved noggins and studs.
What profession would you not like to do?
War correspondent.
Have you ever felt like giving up?
Only when I had post-natal depression.
What are the pearls of wisdom you know now, that you wish you knew when they were younger?
When I had PND I learnt the dark side isn’t anger or frustration, it’s an absence of feeling because life deplores a vacuum. Anger is fuel, with intelligence you can use it to make good shit happen.
What is your favourite word?
Bugger.
What is your least favourite word?
Right now, it’s Disruption. What’s suddenly so uncool about incremental improvement?
Please login with linkedin to comment
Advertising Standards Bureau Dentsu Aegis interview PartnerReachLatest News
Sydney Comedy Festival: Taking The City & Social Media By Storm
Sydney Comedy Festival 2024 is live and ready to rumble, showing the best of international and homegrown talent at a host of venues around town. As usual, it’s hot on the heels of its big sister, the giant that is the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, picking up some acts as they continue on their own […]
Global Marketers Descend For AANA’s RESET For Growth
The Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) has announced the final epic lineup of local and global marketing powerhouses for RESET for Growth 2024. Lead image: Josh Faulks, chief executive officer, AANA Back in 2000, a woman with no business experience opened her first juice bar in Adelaide. The idea was brilliantly simple: make healthy […]
Is Meta’s New AI Chatbot Too Left-Wing?
Meta's chatbot accused of being left-wing after being caught wearing a Che Guevara T-shirt & listening to Billy Bragg.
TV Ratings (23/04/2024): Why Did No One Tell Angela That Farmer Wants A Wife Is Set On A Farm?
As wonderful as this headline is, let's face it, we all know an 'Angela', don't we?
PubMatic Unveils New AI Partnership To Turn Social Posts Into Ads For Any Digital Channel
Here's some nifty tech for turning social posts into ads. Assuming said posts aren't one-star character assassinations.
Intuit Mailchimp Makes A Splash With Its First Australian Brand Campaign
Ever laugh along at a gag you didn't get so as not to appear dumb? Get ready for more feigning with this new work.
GumGum’s Rob Hall: Advertisers Can No Longer “Rely On Binary Descriptions” Of Consumers
If anyone's got their finger on adtech's pulse, it's Rob Hall. He also avoids using the good paper in the office printer
Mastercard Nabs Florencia Aimo From Marriott International
Marriott International's Florencia Aimo jumps from the hotel business to the exploitative credit card one.
Bastion Agency Appoints Cheuk Chiang As New ANZ CEO
Cheuk Chiang takes the reins over at Bastion Agency. But not the rains down in Africa.
Spotlight On Sponsors: Major Sponsorship Wins After A Disappointing Week In Sport
B&T continuing our deep dive into local sport sponsorships & that's despite not a single offer of a free ticket as yet.
Macca’s Marketing Director, Samantha McLeod On Big Mac Chant: “What Was Once Old Is Now Cool Again”
Macca's using the power of nostalgia in latest Big Mac campaign. Well, only for those who've ever eaten one sober.
World Premiere Of Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line To Open Sydney Film Festival 2024
Oil's biopic to open Sydney Film Festival. Here's hoping Molly Meldrum will take his pants down at the premiere.
Entries Are Now Open For The 2024 Brandies, IntelligenceBank’s Annual Brand Marketing Awards
The Brandies are, of course, a prestigious marketing gong and not the mystery tipple favoured by nannas everywhere.
The Fred Hollows Foundation Appoints Ardent For PR
Yes, we all like to have a joke at PR's expense. But sometimes it does important work, like this.
AI, eCommerce & Marketing Specialists Are In Increased Demand By Businesses, New Data From Fiverr Shows
Has your philosophy & anthropology degree left you with nothing but a huge HECS debt? Here's what you should've studied.
Perth’s First 3D Anamorphic Billboard Arrives Courtesy Of oOh!media
Do you love a buzzword? Now you can add anamorphic to the list as it relates to billboards, not a colleague's ears.
MasterChef Australia & Crown Resorts Launch Unique Dining Experience With ALUMNI
A pop-up restaurant staffed by MasterChef contestants! That's fine dining prices for first-year apprentice chef cuisine!
Amanda Laing Announces Resignation From Foxtel Group
Foxtel's chief commercial & content officer heads for the exits. Read nice things the bosses said about her right here.
The Lost Letters From Our Diggers: News Corp Unveils ANZAC Day Special
It's nice when brands respectfully acknowledge ANZAC Day.
Howatson+Company Acquires Akkomplice
Large indie acquires a slightly smaller indie. Much like a shark eating a tuna, just with less thrashing and blood.
Google Delays Third-Party Cookie Deprecation Again
In good news for the sale of picture library biscuit photos, Google continues to tease over the end of cookies.
Education A Low Priority For Aussies More Concerned With Cost Of Living Forethought Study Reveals
Study finds Aussies cutting back on education due to cost of living. Booze & Uber Eats sales remain largely unaffected.
“I’m Still The Same Person That I Was”: Rikki Stern Says “Fucc It” To Cancer Stereotypes
B&T always happy to promote the anti-cancer cause. Even brands that massively overdo it with the hot pink.
The Unapproved Climate Certification Allegedly Causing Mass Greenwashing
Are you left flummoxed in the canned tuna & free range eggs aisle? Just wait till this green certification gets up.
TV Ratings (22/04/2024): Fans Mock “Over The Top” Reaction To New MasterChef Judges
MasterChef returns for its 2024 season. B&T stands by putting peppercorns in Gravox & no one will be any the wiser.
Dentsu Restructure: Muddle, Harvey & Johnston Take Leadership Baton As Bass & Yurisich Exit
A large broom has swept through Dentsu's local ops this morning, taking with it some big names & the air con's cobwebs.
Industry Shares Trends Shaping The Industry This International Creators Day
B&T's asking adland creators to reveal their top trends. And it's not good news for your Jenny Kee cardigan collection.
Mable Extends HOYTS Sensory Screenings Partnership
Mable has extended its HOYTS sensory screening partnership. Vigorously defends its two-star Oppenheimer review.
Orphan Launches ‘They Need Our Help. We Need Yours’ For Children’s Cancer Institute
Anything to do with childhood cancers has B&T's 110% support. That said, we do ignore the red meat & alcohol warnings.
Smile Team Orthodontics & Keep Left Collaborate On Smile-Inducing Campaign
As parents would attest, given the cost of orthodontics you'd expect this campaign to be a lavish production indeed.
Opinion: How Video Calls Neglect Learning Diversity
Need an excuse to duck out of a video call this arvo? Show this to your boss.
DoubleVerify Achieves First-Of-Its-Kind Responsible AI Certification From TrustArc
DoubleVerify receives responsible AI certification. However, not its robotic vacuum that's been seen menacing the cat.
Smile For A Good Cause: The Social Media Campaign Giving Back To The Community
Are you known as the office Austin Powers? More for you teeth than shagability? Get snappy new fangs with this news.
Elon Musk Mocks Albo After ESafety Wins Court Injunction Against X
Albo's 2024 from hell continues - Rabbitohs in crisis, down in the polls and now feuding with world's richest man.
Real Estate Developer In Hot Water Over “Sexually Exploitative” OOH Campaign
Real estate agents again tops in the 'least trusted profession' polls, nudging used car salesmen & ad creatives.
Epsilon’s Shane Hanby: Post-Cookie Era Relies On “Teamwork” Between Brands, Marketers & Tech
This pro predicts more "teamwork" in a post-cookie era. Which spells bad news for the uncooperative or plain stubborn.