30 Under 30: Akib Hasan Wants Under 30s To Be “Hungry For Success”
Akib Hasan describes himself as a “chameleon”, and who could argue with him? With a degree in commerce, finance and economics, this young gun just as likely could’ve ended up being Australia’s Gordan Gecko as he did working in adland.
But with a stroke of luck, our industry is all the better for welcoming Hasan, who currently works as a senior platform solutions partner for Yahoo, following successful stints with Admatic, Bench and Verizon Media.
In fact, Hasan is such a perfect fit for adland that he scored the People’s Choice Prize at the 2021 30 Under 30 Awards, owing to his strategic planning helping clients to adapt and adopt DSP, as well as his lofty thinking and all-round gosh darn likable personality. I mean, c’mon, he even founded his own community soccer competition!
With the gates now open for the next 30 Under 30 Awards presented by Vevo, returning in March 2022, we caught up with this community-minded chameleon for some refreshing advice including the benefits of discomfort, and why the industry is in desperate need of diversity.
What initially attracted you to join the marketing/communications industry?
It’s not something I planned. I studied economics and finance and always wanted to be an economist and work for the central bank in policymaking. I also had an interest in stockmarket trading and anything to do with that. I never wanted a boring job, I wanted something super challenging that would keep me on my toes.
When I graduated I was just looking for any role and this specific opportunity came up as a programmatic trader. They wanted someone who was good with numbers and loved to analyse data and had a very analytical mind. When I got into the industry, I fell in love with it.
What’s some advice you’d give to young up-and-comers?
Be curious. Curiosity leads to having more knowledge and opportunities. It’s also very important to be uncomfortable in order to learn. I love putting myself in uncomfortable situations. I don’t want to be the same person I was last year. I want to keep growing and developing and have more knowledge.
[Never forget] knowledge is power. The more you know the more impact you would have for any business and any team. And always try to stay humble and never think that [you] know it all. You do not know it all, there’s so much to learn.
Besides winning the 30 Under 30 People’s Choice Award, what have you enjoyed most about your time in the industry so far?
It never feels like work. There are always new things to learn because it’s technology and we’re having a technological boom. There are new challenges and new systems to learn; it’s very dynamic. That’s what keeps me going.
As a young person, do you ever feel as though you can be underestimated at work?
I have worked with people who are younger than me, and people who are older than me with a lot more experience, but I have never felt underestimated in any situation. What I’ve seen from a lot of leaders and people with more experience is their respect for the knowledge you have and the impact you can create.
It’s not about how experienced you are, it’s not about how many years you’ve worked within the industry or if you’ve worked for big names. It’s about how much you know and how much impact you can create.
What words of wisdom do you have for those currently thinking of entering 30 Under 30?
If you want to be successful, there’s no shortcut. You need to be hungry for success. You need to be hungry for knowledge. You want to learn more and you want to create more impact.
The other thing I mentioned in my application was diversity. I have friends in all sorts of industries and I believe [our industry] lacks that proper diversity. If you walk into a room you see most people from a similar background with a similar mindset, there’s not really a lot of challenges that are coming their way.
You need to have a lot of people from different backgrounds and different experiences working for the same mission. That’s when you get a dynamic solution to a problem, rather than having five people saying the same thing. The industry needs to welcome more people from different sorts of backgrounds, even in leadership positions. The outcome would be better for everyone.
I encourage everyone to take part in this competition. I’ve referred a few colleagues of mine as well because I never had an idea how much I would get out of it. It’s not about winning, it’s about being able to know yourself and know what you’ve achieved over the years.
It’s [also] an audit of yourself: “What have I done? What are the things I’m proud of?” We live in such a fast-paced world, and we don’t really look back and reflect.
Enter now!
Get started on your entry HERE, as the deadline for submissions (Friday 4 February 2022) will be here before you know it. You can download the criteria for each category HERE.
However, you MUST be under the age of 30 on the day of the event (Thursday 31 March) to be in the running. So, be sure to include your ID and profile photo with your entry.
Oh, and please save your entry in a Word doc in case so many of you jump on to the awards portal that it crashes. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
The 30 Under 30 Awards, presented by Vevo, are widely regarded as the leading showcase for the brightest young talent working across marketing communications.
Three outstanding individuals will be recognised for their achievements in each of the 10 categories, as well as a Grand Prix award for the most influential individual overall.
You can find all the details on the awards right here and, to avoid disappointment, we highly recommend gathering your crew and securing your spots at the 30 Under 30 Awards night by purchasing early bird tickets (your bank account will thank you later).
Latest News
TV Ratings (18/04/2024): I’m A Celebrity Wins Prime Time And Key Demos
Aussie viewers can be a harsh lot at times. Only days after Ellie Cole bled her heart out, she has been sent packing.
Effie&co Launches New ConnectAsia Division To Help Aussie Brands Market To Asian Consumers Overseas & At Home
Not provided is advice on using chopsticks and not spilling ramen down your shirt.
Cashrewards Sets Out Stall For New CMO
Thinking of applying for the Cashrewards CMO gig? Here are some insider tips that, yes, are tantamount to cheating.
‘I Ask For The TV Industry To Stand Up And Defend Itself’ – Seven Boss James Warburton Steps Down
The Seven supremo heads for the exits after five years. Here's hoping the Spotlight team organised the farewell bash.
Poh! Jamie! Adriano! Paramount ANZ reveals its tasty plans for this year’s MasterChef
It's your fan's guide to this year's MasterChef! Although no tips on how to pronounce crudités or use a un fait-tout.
Dentsu’s iProspect Partners With MOOD Tea Ahead Of May Campaign Launch
We love a Mood Tea here at B&T. Although we do store old screws and nails in the International Roast caterer's tin.
Opinion: When Culture Starts Eating Itself: Navigating The Age Of Self-eating Nostalgia
Born boss David Coupland asks is adland going through a nostalgia period? But please, no repeats of Best Of Red Faces.
Who’s Going To Cannes?! The TikTok Young Lions Winners!
It's Aussie adland's next gen! They're off to Cannes with high hopes of bringing back a Lion & a foot-long Toblerone.
Adobe Launches Express Mobile App With Firefly AI
Want to be the coolest kid at Friday staff drinks but forgot your retro Nikes? This new Adobe wizardry may do the trick.
ThinkNewsBrands & IMAA Extend News Publishing Education In Brisbane
Industry duo takes its publishing roadshow to Brisbane. Was disappointed no male attendees were wearing walk socks.
B&T Chats With Wavemaker’s Provocative Pioneers On Their Cross-Pacific Sojourn
B&T TV heads to Wavemaker's Sydney digs to interview two staffers from its New York & LA digs. If that makes sense?
HoMie & Champion Launch “Give One. Get One” Campaign Supporting Youth Homelessness Via Town Square
Much like the fête's prized chutney wears a blue winners sash, so too should this top initiative from HoMie & Champion.
Thinkerbell Takes Us Back To Summer In Latest Work For XXXX
This beer ad wants to take you back to summer! Just minus any chance of a shark attack on your morning bus commute.
Cannes Lions Unveils 2024 Programme Featuring Queen Latifah, Jay Shetty & P&G’s Mark Pritchard
Are you one of the lucky ducks heading to Cannes in June? Check out the headliner acts you'll be queueing hours to see.
Scroll Media Recruits Costa Panagos From Twitch
Costa Panagos set to bring South American flair to the Scroll offices. Assuming that he is, indeed, South American.
Year13, Microsoft & KPMG Australia Launch AI Course For Gen Zs
Born around the 2000s? Need to amp up your AI creds? This guide's for you (although it's not really that age specific).
General Motors Snares Heath Walker From Scania
Do you rage about oversized American cars on our roads? You need to bail up Heath Walker at parties & industry events.
VML Launches New “Envoyage” Brand For Flight Centre
VML unveils new brand for travel operator Flight Centre. Alas, no sign of those paid actors pretending to be pilots.
Subaru Places Media Account Up For Review
Subaru puts media up for review, as adland journos get set for mandatory "agency drives off with..." headline.
TV Ratings (17/04/2024): Contestants Faced With Harsh Realities As Alone Australia Heats Up (Or Cools Down)
Alone still doing the business for SBS. Overly long train journeys not doing the business, but they persist anyway.
Ben Fordham Loses Number One Spot As Ray Hadley Celebrates 156th Ratings Win
The radio numbers are in! Discover who's off for a boozy lunch today & who's waiting for the dreaded HR death knock.
Gourmet Ice Cream Brand Connoisseur Launches New “Thrill Your Senses” Iteration, Via SICKDOGWOLFMAN
Rattling the old "truth in advertising" adage comes this ice-cream spot full of noticeably thin people.
Paramount’s Global Sales Boss: ‘Australia’s Converged Model Is A Blueprint For How I’d Like All Of Our Markets To Be’
Paramount's global sales boss gives local sales ops the thumbs up. Didn't weigh-in on the Lisa Wilkinson debacle.
TikTok Starts Testing Its Instagram Rival In Australia
In exciting news for piano playing cats & brattish pranks in shopping centres, TikTok unveils its Insta rival plans.
Man Wrongly Named By Seven As Bondi Killer Hires Lawyers
Struggling to save for a house deposit? Why not get wrongly identified by Sunrise!
Smartsheet Appoints Indie Agency Sandbox Media To Its Media Account
Can't stand your colleagues? Like to dob them in when they miss a deadline? These work management platforms are ideal.
Boss Not Letting You Come To Cannes In Cairns? Use This Business Case To Convince Them!
Stingy boss won't spring for a ticket to Cairns? Add this to your persuasive argument repertoire. Or grovel.
Alt/shift/ Brisbane Builds Portfolio With Ausbuild Creative, PR, Content & Social Account Win
The Brisbane comms/PR agency lands constructor Ausbuild. Also hoping for a discount on its new glass conservatory.
Young Guns Versus The Old Guard: Who Adds More Value to Our Industry?
Cannes In Cairns poking this hornet's nest in a lively debate. Just so long as the oldies can get up the stairs.
70% Of Aussies Don’t Have Green Power Plans ENGIE Says In Major Brand Campaign Via HERO
Are you the notorious "light leaver on-er" in your flatshare? Quell any infighting with this green energy news.
PrettyGood Launches Offering Brand & Media Solutions For Australasian SMEs
B&T applauds the charitable nature of this new agency. Although we'd hate to see it impact any Chrissie present sends.
A Blunt End: Dolphins Medicinal Cannabis Sponsorship At Risk
Yes, it's another NRL drug story. Yet, thankfully it doesn't involve coke in Kuta during the off-season.
Slew Of New Creative Hires At Leo Burnett Australia
Ahhh, all black! The outfit of choice for agency creatives, David Jones staff and everyone in Melbourne.
Under Armour Unveils Local “Live in UA” Campaign
American apparel brand set for yet another tilt at the Aussie market, as Nike declares "we'll see about that".
Pepsi Launches New Look, Refreshing Classic Fashion Staples Via Special PR
Are you always the bridesmaid, never the bride, as the old saying goes? How do you think Pepsi feels?
Pure Blonde Returns To A Place Purer Than Yours In New Campaign Via The Monkeys
B&T's always been a huge fan of the 'drink yourself thinner' diet plan. So big thanks to Pure blonde, vodka & tequila.