30 Under 30 A Decade On: Ben Hartman

ICYMI: B&T’s 30 Under 30 Awards are back for its 11th year, and we’re officially open for entry (But on-time entries close next Friday so get in quick!) If you haven’t entered yet… seriously, get cracking. Time’s a wastin’!

For those who don’t know, B&T‘s 30 Under 30 Awards are widely regarded as the leading showcase for the best and brightest young talent working across marketing communications.

In honour of our upcoming awards, we’re taking a look back (10 years to be exact), to see where our 2011 winners are now.

Today, we’re chatting with Ben Hartman.

Back in 2011, Ben was the director of athletes and personalities at Octagon Australia, which saw him running the talent representation business. He was part of a team of three in Australia, working with around 10 of Australia’s highest profile athletes to develop and drive their own marketing platforms.

10 years later, he’s still at Octagon, but the journey has “taken many turns”. Soon after he won 30 Under 30, he moved to Singapore for three years to launch an office in South East Asia. After that he became the MD of our business across Asia Pacific – moving back home to Australia. As of a few months ago, he became the chief client officer across Octagon’s International markets.

He said: “Outside of work, I found a few new roles too; as a husband and father of two boys… so it’s been a really big decade on a few fronts!”

Ben hartman

How did you feel winning a B&T 30 Under 30?

It was really the first industry recognition I’d received in my career and no question there’s a level of pride attached when people outside your immediate teams and colleagues also take note of the work you’ve put in, and produced. On the flip side, it also made me the butt of office jokes about my age/hair loss/desire for attention… all fair.

Do you think you winning has affected your career at all?

It certainly gave me some added confidence in my own abilities. This helps when faced with taking a leap of faith, or making tougher or more complex decisions about your life and your career ahead.

What’s your favourite part about the industry?

There are lots that I still love about the industry, like the diversity of people I get to work with and the passion I share with others who, like me, believe that what we do can impact the world in a bigger and more positive way. I also put a tonne of value on the inverse relationship between the seniority of my roles and the formality of clothes I’m required to wear to do the job.

What do you think needs changing?

That statistics overwhelmingly suggest I’m not going to be in this industry past the age of 40. There are so many factors behind this but it’s sad to realise you work in a part of the industry where you certainly question long time viability.

What’s been your biggest achievement?

I’m a naturally impatient person with a fairly short attention span, so I’m actually proud of the fact that I’ve spent over a decade working for the same company. Luckily my need to chase new experiences was served by taking on different roles, markets, challenges and levels of leadership. I’m also excited this year to be the President of the Entertainment Lions for Sport at Cannes, and helping to shape the perception of what the industry believes in best in class marketing in the world of sport.

If you weren’t in adland, what would you be doing?

A question that I have definitely asked myself more than a few times over the past decade. It tends to flip between being a University lecturer or becoming a vet – except I really only want to work with dogs, and large dogs at that.

Ultimate bucket list item?

Right now, a pup. Said goodbye to my best mate last year and feel ready to welcome my next one into our home at some point soon.

What’s a hidden talent you have?

An irrational level of confidence in my Karaoke skills when compared to my actual singing ability.

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30 under 30 a decade on