Women In Media: It’s Code Like A Girl Founder Ally Watson
Ally Watson, developer at comms firm Deepend, is also passionate about luring more women into coding. So much so she started the highly successful education program ‘Code Like A Girl’. Here, she tells B&T why the future looks bright, her love of Melbourne and being the only female in the coding class…
I don’t code for computers, I code for people…
I love learning new ways of making my code pretty, clean and the best it can be, from the way it’s written to the techniques I use. As a backend developer you don’t get much opportunity to wow people with jazzy animations or styling, so when an opportunity arises I put everything I’ve got into it.
Wearable tech is about to get really interesting…
When you start combining different areas to become one, that’s true innovation. Paypal just tested out their wearable payment device at Splendour in the Grass allowing users to travel around cash free and pay for food and drink. Now that the technology is available I think we’ll start to see some really cool solutions come out the woodwork.
If I was Prime Minister for a week I’d make coding mandatory from primary schools through high school…
Countries around the world are already doing this. I hope Tony Abbott catches on.
My industry hero is Linda Luikas…
She’s part programmer, co-founder of Rails Girls and the author and illustrator of Hello Ruby a book for kids to teach them about computers and technology but in the fun and whimsical world they can relate to. I love that she’s making the world of code a more accessible place.
Outside of work I like to plan…
I plan trips, parties and often get made fun of by my partner whilst I work on my ‘life-plan’. I love living in Melbourne and most weekends we’ll be wining and dining in a new area of the town as there is still so much to discover here.
It’s not very difficult to get people on-board with what we’re doing…
It’s fortunate that the facts and figures speak for themselves.
I enjoy working with approachable people who are level headed and passionate about what they do and the quality of their work…
A positive attitude and good sense of humour can really make all the difference when you are constantly faced with tricky coding problems and stressful deadlines.
Leadership is about nurturing, encouraging and inspiring your team…
It shouldn’t be about telling them how to do things but telling them what needs to be done and letting them surprise you with the results.
I’m inspired by the marriage of creativity and science in this industry – I was the only computer science student who also chose History of Art for my curriculum…
I became a web developer because I wanted to get close to all the creative action, as well as maintain and expand my programming skills.
Relocating from the UK to Australia and securing a job at the Melbourne arm of award-winning agency Deepend was a great achievement for me…
The experience I’ve gained here has already greatly expanded my skill-set and they have 100 per cent supported me in my aspirations for Code Like a Girl.
I’ve always had strong entrepreneurial tendencies…
I’d love to have my own company.I’m not sure what the company will be but that’s the joy of being a developer; you can create anything from code in almost any industry. I’d love to get more involved in code-education and inspiring younger generations but how I plan on doing this, who knows.
If you wasn’t doing this I’d probably be an interior designer/furniture maker…
Ikea, West Elm, Matt Blatt – these are my happy places. I love turning houses into homes and helping my partner with Ikea hacks. My Pinterest boards are filled with interior inspo. I think I get it from my mum!
If I could change anything about the industry I’d make it a more diverse workforce…
Diverse teams make better solutions.
Finding the right boss and team is crucial…
It’s a fast moving industry and you need to grow with it. Having the right management team to support and nurture you through that growth can make such a huge impact on the developer you will become. I’ve been very fortunate in my career to work with some incredible bosses and tech directors.
I’m a completer finisher…
I love starting with a problem and fixing it. That’s why coding is so perfect for me. The satisfaction you feel when you code something from nothing and it works, there’s nothing quite like it.
My favourite advertising/marketing campaign from the past 12 months is ‘Like A Girl’ by Always…
What a powerful and incredible campaign. The most recent one features the girls breaking metaphorical boxes that gender stereotypes put them in. This is why we called our initiative ‘Code Like a Girl’
I felt like giving up when I first started to learn programming…
I felt really intimidated and as though I didn’t belong. I remember being in classes full of confident guys who already had so much prior knowledge. I look back now and I am so proud of the fact that I never gave up because it has led me to pursue a career that I am truly happy in and that I feel is perfect for me.
I’d tell my 20-year-old self…
Tiny tweaks make big changes! Just take every day as it comes and don’t compare yourself to others.
Latest News
Kantar: AVOD Subscribers Double In 12 Months
Study finds Aussies happy to watch ads on their streaming services. Or, are they just putting the kettle on more often?
Val Morgan Digital Exceeds All Campaign Uplift Benchmarks Via A 12-Month Brand Metrics Study
Val Morgan announces it has exceeded all its campaign benchmarks. Still can't get under an hour for the City To Surf.
Australian Retirement Trust launches monster of a campaign, by M&C Saatchi and Bohemia
Get offered a seat on the bus today? Knees creak like an old pirate's galleon? This retirement ad may be of interest.
Print Audits To Discontinue As Audited Media Association Of Australia Pivots To Support Influencer Marketing
Is it just B&T or are audits in the media industry suddenly becoming murkier than Roxy's husband's tax returns?
News Corp Australia Launches 2024 National Education Advocacy Initiative With Expanded Program
News Corp set to shine a light on the nation's schools in new series, giving illegal bikie gangs a well-earned rest.
Decoding The Consumer Maze: Urban List Report Reveals How Modern Shoppers Spiral From Discovery To Purchase
Latest report unravels a shopper's journey from the joy of discovery through to a nasty letter from a debt collector.
Cosmo Returns To Australia!
Ever get the feeling we've weirdly warped back to 1988 at the moment? Confirm it with the relaunch of Cosmo in print.
People & Culture Consultancy Human Kind Collective Launches To Plug HR Gap For Media Agencies
Does the very mention of HR have you struggling to remember last year's Christmas party? Get the sweats with this news.
‘We Want To Be A Growth Partner, Not Just A Media Buyer Or Someone That Makes Ads’ – Bohemia Boss On Agency’s Ambition
B&T's chatting with Bohemia boss Paul ‘Hutch’ Hutchison. Although we do think 'the dagger' a far superior nickname.
Initiative’s Geoff Clarke: ‘Youth Hits Targets With Enthusiasm, Experience Hits The Targets You Can’t See’
Initiative’s CCO Geoff Clarke on the value of experience in agencies. Not to mention quoting lines from Pulp Fiction.
The Iconic Teams Up With 5 Aussie Athletes For Latest Campaign
Fashion label brings in the athletes for new campaign, many of whom appear to have prepped with re-runs of Zoolander.
Seven West Media Secures New Director Of News & Current Affairs
After a tumultuous few weeks, Seven unveils director of news & current affairs. And B&T never uses tumultuous lightly.
Seven Network Expands NSW Sales Team With Two New Group Business Directors
Seven ramps up its NSW sales team. Both of whom are well versed in pronouncing Manu Feildel's croque-monsieur.
New PR Subscription Changing The Game For Aussie Start Ups
Need better PR? You can now buy it via a monthly subscription. Price does not include a fascinator or Moet piccolos.
Paul Kent At Centre Of Fresh Scandal After Alleged Street Brawl
Do you long for the fights, gouges & testicle grabs of footy's glory years? So too, it appears, does Paul Kent.
DiDi Taps Disney’s Tim Farmer For Head Of Brand Marketing Role
Disney's Tim Farmer shifts over to rideshare company DiDi. Taking with him his Donald Duck coffee mug & mouse ears.
As Sure As Night Becomes Day, The End Of Third-Party Cookies Has Been Delayed
The question remains: what will we see first? The end of cookies, alien invasion or Jesus's second coming?
Fast 10: Scoundrel’s Tim Bullock Explains What Shane Warne & Salt-N-Pepa Have In Common
It's a Fast 10 with Scoundrel's Tim Bullock. Make it sound even faster by sucking on helium while reading it.
Outbrain Snatches Chris Oxley From Foxtel Media
Foxtel's Chris Oxley shifts over to Outbrain, but not before having his press photo taken in the wilds of the Daintree.
oOh!media & POLY Partner With Greening Australia For OOH Awareness Campaign
Like to quell the road rage with super cute pics of fluffy marsupials? This outdoor's just the ticket.
Are Media Cares For The Carers In Its Latest Social Change Campaign
Are Media calls on the government to add super payments to carers' payments. Remains silent on AUKUS, however.
In A Fragmented World, Engagement Is King
Today, B&T TV's talking fragmentation & engagement. But not in a down-on-one-knee sense of the word.
Kyle Sandilands On Advertising: “We Want Return Business. It’s No Good Just Taking Someone’s Money”
Kyle & Jackie O finally arrive on Melbourne radio. As yet, no sign of the monotonous and bitter AFL-NRL debate.
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.