Women In Media: Ultimate Edge Communications MD, Aleisha Haslemore

Women In Media: Ultimate Edge Communications MD, Aleisha Haslemore

While most teenagers are spending their student loans on cheap booze and tearing it up in Bali, Haslemore -the first New Zealander to compete at a World Synchronised Ice Skating Championship – got a $35,000 personal loan at the age of 19 to pay a business coach upfront. Here, she tells B&T’s Women In Media how it paid off…

What is the bravest career move you’ve ever pulled?

Stepping outside of a job that I was very good at and starting my own media agency. It was the boldest, most outrageous move I have ever made in my career and, trust me, I have done a lot of crazy things; but this one beats them all. Twelve months down the track I’m grateful that I managed to bolster-up the courage to leave my securities, ignore everyone who told me I couldn’t do it and take the first step into what has already been an incredible ride!

But 35-grand on a business coach does appear a lot?

Yes. When I was 19 I got a personal loan of $35,000 at 14 per cent to pay a business coach upfront, not knowing how the hell I was going to pay it back. I stepped out of my comfort zone, borrowed an entire year’s salary to register for a business mentoring program designed to teach exponential thinking and the strategies required to achieve extraordinary results. That’s what backing yourself and stepping outside your comfort zones are. Long story short, it was repaid in double within the next six months. As a result of this program, I quit my job in the printing industry and started a career in media. With no prior experience, I learned to mirror the masters and went on to win multiple awards, broke several records and went onto launch my own media agency.

What is your proudest career moment?

My proudest career moment so far would have to be winning the Rising Star Award at the 2014 Women in Media Awards. To be recognised as an up-and-coming female in the industry was a real honour and something that I will always be grateful to be acknowledged for.

What’s been the most challenging thing about setting up your own agency?

The most challenging thing is to figure out what your next best step is when there are probably about 20 different things you should be doing right away to improve the business as a whole. At the very beginning there is so much to do and it can quickly become overwhelming. I had to learn fast to chunk the big stuff down and tackle one thing at a time. I soon realised that anything that wasn’t the best and highest use of my time needed to be outsourced.

What’s your career goal?

To build a brilliant agency! One that is highly respected for the exponential results it delivers for clients. I want us to be known for always going the extra mile and hitting campaign objectives out of the park!

Who is your industry hero?

I would have to say Ciaran Davies, CEO of the Australian Radio Network. In the time that I worked for Ciaran, I was just so impressed by his whole philosophy. He transformed the radio business for ARN from a very traditional, slow moving business to a dynamic and leading force in the industry. For me, he’s just a really great example of what can be achieved when you really believe in your company vision.

What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?

One: follow your passions as far as they will take you. You might just surprise yourself and discover what you are really capable of. Two: At critical moments, back yourself and follow through without doubt or hesitation. Three: Give of yourself generously along your journey and ‘pay it forward’ every chance you get.

And make sure you enter our Women in Media Awards, or nominate a colleague, here!

Sponsor-bar




Please login with linkedin to comment

Advertising Standards Bureau Global ADMA Forum

Latest News

M&C Saatchi’s Sydney Creative Lead Exits
  • Advertising

M&C Saatchi’s Sydney Creative Lead Exits

One of M&C Saatchi’s top creative directors has left the business among a small slew of redundancies. The agency’s Sydney group creative director Sharon Edmonston (pictured above), who was promoted to her role in February 2023, has left. An M&C Saatchi spokesperson said: “As M&C Saatchi embraces the optimum creative structure for our clients’ needs […]

Taylor Swift’s Music Re-Enters TikTok As Universal Pens Landmark Deal
  • Media

Taylor Swift’s Music Re-Enters TikTok As Universal Pens Landmark Deal

Universal Music Group (UMG) have secured the future of Taylor Swift-backed TikTok videos by signing a new multi-dimensional licensing agreement. the deal will deliver significant industry-leading benefits for UMG’s global family of artists, songwriters and labels and will return their music to TikTok’s billion-plus global community. The news comes after UMG failed to reach a deal with […]

HAVAS Red launches inaugural Influencer White Paper
  • Media

HAVAS Red launches inaugural Influencer White Paper

HAVAS Red (formerly Red HAVAS), the global merged media micronetwork today released its inaugural The State of the Influencer in 2024: A Client’s Perspective whitepaper. To understand how influencer marketing is evolving, HAVAS Red surveyed clients across ten markets – Australia, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Japan, The Philippines, Singapore, UAE, the U.S., and the U.K. These […]

Two Sides Global Campaign Reports Increasing Greenwashing As Organisations Focus On Sustainability
  • Campaigns

Two Sides Global Campaign Reports Increasing Greenwashing As Organisations Focus On Sustainability

Two Sides has challenged over 2,650 organisations found to be communicating greenwashing messages to their customers. Over 1,180 organisations have, so far, removed misleading anti-paper statements. Economic pressures remain the driver for much of greenwashing, and many organisations that have relied on paper to communicate with their customers are increasingly transitioning their customers from traditional […]

Aruga Launches New HQ & Changed Ownership Structure
  • Advertising

Aruga Launches New HQ & Changed Ownership Structure

Aruga has unveiled its new Brisbane headquarters, senior leadership team and a changed ownership structure. Lead Image: L-R – CFO Richelle Power, Co-Founder Donna Kramer, Group Account Director Natalie Ogbourne, Agency Director Tracy Llewelyn, Co-Founder Adam Brunes.  The Brisbane-based independent was founded in 2017 by PR wunderkinds Donna Kramer and Adam Brunes in partnership with […]

Image lead story Delicious & American Express Partner To Launch Month Out 2024 In Syndey
  • Campaigns

Delicious & American Express Partner To Launch Month Out 2024 In Syndey

delicious. and American Express have come together for the fifth consecutive year for American Express delicious. Month Out 2024, returning May 1–31. The month-long event returns to Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane, with dining offers, exclusive experiences and one-off events designed to encourage everyone to get out and enjoy the rich dining culture of their […]

Aussie Ad Market Continues Decline In March
  • Media

Aussie Ad Market Continues Decline In March

Marketers across most categories are spending less on advertising this year than they did a year ago, which places Australia at odds with spend patterns in the US and Canada, according to Guideline SMI figures. Cinema and out of home are the only media channels that did not contract in March as ad spend continues […]

VMA Focuses On Skills And Training For Members
  • Media

VMA Focuses On Skills And Training For Members

The Visual Media Association (VMA) concluded its eight-week P.o.P (Power of Print) webinar series this week with a talk from David Barron, executive manager of Stakeholder Relations, Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance (MISA) on the work MISA does to support skills and training in our industry. The webinar highlighted industry’s needs for improving apprenticeship completion rates, […]

Nearly 90% Of Consumers Want Transparency About AI Images, Finds Getty Images Report
  • Technology

Nearly 90% Of Consumers Want Transparency About AI Images, Finds Getty Images Report

Getty Images yesterday held a Webinar to announce the release of its “Building Trust in the Age of AI” report. The study aims to empower marketers and communications professionals by providing data-driven insights into the integration of AI-generated content within marketing and communications strategies. Supported by the company’s cutting-edge visual and creative intelligence platform, VisualGPS, […]

The National Breast Cancer Foundation Partners With VML To Boost Funds
  • Campaigns

The National Breast Cancer Foundation Partners With VML To Boost Funds

Today the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) and VML announce their partnership in Australia. Together they will create a future-focussed, connected marketing and customer experience strategy that will propel the not-for-profit’s ability to raise funds and continue to invest in world-class research towards their vision of Zero Deaths from breast cancer. The team will develop […]

Perry ‘Pez’ Lazaris Named New National Hit Network Announcer
  • Media

Perry ‘Pez’ Lazaris Named New National Hit Network Announcer

The Hit Network has announced Perry ‘Pez’ Lazaris will be taking over the Hit Network’s regional Afternoon shift from Monday, 6 May. Pez knows a thing or two about radio with a career spanning over 15 years, working in Townsville, Adelaide, Western Australia and most recently, Newcastle. Now, Pez will take over the national regional […]

Before Adland: Garry Dawson’s Journey From Teacher To Marketer
  • Advertising

Before Adland: Garry Dawson’s Journey From Teacher To Marketer

Many know Garry Dawson as the prolific marketing manager behind the Hopeful Monsters team, but the story many don’t know is how a chance encounter at a local cafe just three years ago changed the trajectory of his entire life. Having worked as a teacher for six years at this point, Dawson was preparing a […]

Scott Cam Urges Tradies To Prioritise Sun Protection
  • Campaigns

Scott Cam Urges Tradies To Prioritise Sun Protection

New research from SafetyCulture has shed some light on the number of Aussies working outside without proper sun protection. The survey of more than 1,000 Aussie outdoor workers, which included the likes of tradies, landscapers, and road workers, revealed that almost all (93 per cent) are concerned about the long-term effects of working in the sun. […]

PubMatic Study: Advertising On Retail Media Is 50% More Effective Than Social Media
  • Advertising

PubMatic Study: Advertising On Retail Media Is 50% More Effective Than Social Media

PubMatic has released a new study examining the influence of digital media on shopper behaviour at the top and bottom of the funnel. The research found that retail websites are approximately 50 per cent more effective at driving a response from shoppers than social media. Commissioned by Inside Retail and conducted by PubMatic, 500 Australian […]

From MOWING to life GROWING:  Jim Penman launches ‘Life Coaching’ services
  • Marketing

From MOWING to life GROWING: Jim Penman launches ‘Life Coaching’ services

Jim Penman, founder of the Jim’s Group, has officially launched Jim’s Life Coaching and intends to help millions of Australians live their best life. “Life coaching is a powerful and effective way to achieve success in business and personal life. It helps people to set their own goals, and then work out how to get there. It has […]

Budweiser Brazil Turns Songs That Name Drop The Iconic Brand Into Spotify Ads
  • Campaigns

Budweiser Brazil Turns Songs That Name Drop The Iconic Brand Into Spotify Ads

Budweiser has created a new way of advertising on Spotify to ensure that ads don’t ruin the vibe of your favourite playlists. UninterruptAds: a pioneering initiative, converts songs that mention the brand’s name into targeted ads within the platform in Brazil. When the Brazilian team identified that their name is present in more than 500 tracks […]

Effie Worldwide Strengthens Board With 6 New Members
  • Marketing

Effie Worldwide Strengthens Board With 6 New Members

Effie Worldwide, has announced six new members to their Worldwide Board of Directors, alongside three new co-chairs of the Future Council; a powerful injection of fresh talent as the organization evolves across all its programs to expand its mission to champion marketing effectiveness. The Effie Board contributes to the non-profit’s mission to champion effectiveness through […]

Special Enlist A Penguin Named Nigel In Latest Energy Campaign For Contact
  • Campaigns

Special Enlist A Penguin Named Nigel In Latest Energy Campaign For Contact

After introducing “Flatties” a couple of weeks ago, Contact and Special have now enlisted the help of rule-stickler penguin Nigel to motivate all Kiwis to reduce their energy consumption during peak hours. Contact is investing heavily in creating more renewable energy sources to lead the way in decarbonising New Zealand, but to make an even […]

Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth & George Miller Ignite Sydney For Epic Mad Max Launch
  • Campaigns

Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth & George Miller Ignite Sydney For Epic Mad Max Launch

The global promotional tour for Universal’s Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, the much-anticipated return to the iconic dystopian world Academy Award-winning mastermind George Miller created 45 years ago, kicked off in epic fashion in Sydney yesterday. Anya Taylor-Joy returned to Australia, joining Chris Hemsworth, George Miller and producer Doug Mitchell at a fiery media call […]

IAS Launches First-To-Market Integration With Roblox To Provide 3D Immersive Measurement

    IAS Launches First-To-Market Integration With Roblox To Provide 3D Immersive Measurement

    Integral Ad Science, a global media measurement and optimization platform, today announced a market integration with Roblox, a global immersive platform for connection and communication. Available for advertising campaigns on Roblox later this year, IAS’s Viewability and Invalid Traffic (IVT) Measurement products will provide advertisers increased transparency into the quality of their Immersive Ads within […]