Give A Big Wave To All The Media Winners From B&T 30 Under 30!
They’re the ones who are at the forefront of the media at the moment, the ones keeping afloat among all the fragmentation. And it’s high time we met these five wonderful winners in media from the B&T 30 Under 30 Awards.
Danni Hudson – senior sales exec at snapchat
As a wee little tyke Danni was quite taken with Agro and his cartoon collection. The wily puppet brought a smile to her face every Saturday morning. And the smile didn’t drop, not even when the ads came on. Born was an insatiable curiosity for TV and a desire to learn about media which led Danni to her illustrious career to date.
Snagging a place at one of the hottest social media companies around, Danni is currently the senior sales exec at Snapchat’s Australian office. It’s a small team, but they’re tasked with launching the brand’s commercial presence Down Under – no small feat!
While she’s been nominated for a number of awards and recognition already, Danni’s greatest achievement to date is her passionate work with Youth off the Streets. She is now a permanent volunteer with the charity’s Street Walk program and regularly spends her weeknights walking the streets, talking and assisting some of those in society far worse off.
After reading Sheryl Sandberg’s (chief commercial officer at Facebook) book Lean In, the most valuable lesson she took away from the book was treating your career like a jungle gym, rather than a corporate latter to climb. Sometimes the best move is across, not always up.
“Work hard and opportunities will present themselves. I feel this has rung true with my media career so far and will continue to do so,” she says.
“Success is different for a lot of people however as long as you’re learning and enjoying what you do, you’re succeeding.”
Yeesum Lo – project management at Endemol Shine Australia
To say Yeesum is passionate about TV is an understatement. Having worked with some of the biggest production companies producing some of the biggest shows today, Yeesum is a TV guru. It all started for her one summer in New York City when she was working with NBC Universal. She was a marketing intern at 30 Rock and helped developed a drama pilot with four other interns, eventually presenting the winning pitch to the heads of the broadcaster. She spent the following five years in Los Angeles getting her hands dirty at Millar Gough Ink (known for SpiderMan and Smallville), producing branded content, and honing her skills in financing and operations by working with film producers.
During this time, she also completed her Masters degree at the University of Southern California, as the youngest ever student in the Peter Stark Producing Program. She graduated with the Women in Film Award, the Rock Hudson Award and the Muller Award for outstanding work in motion picture producing.
During graduate school she landed the job business development manager at Shine America. One of her greatest achievements here was successfully pitching MasterChef China in Shanghai to CEO Mark Fennessy.
It’s what brought her to Shine Australia three years later. Here Yeesum has worked on hit reality shows such as MasterChef, The Voice, The Bachelor, Survivor, Biggest Loser and Top Model as well as being part of the development and production of The Great Australian Spelling Bee.
Realising relationships are key in this business, Yeesum founded a young, professional network for other media enthusiasts, called Motiv. It’s specifically tailored to those who are passionate about the content production and producing.
“I believe that the best way to future-proof our careers is by connecting to the right people, at the right time.”
Matthew Coote – group sales manager at MCN
Matthew’s submission last year told of his ultimate goal to reach the group sales manager role. And lo and behold, when writing this year’s submission for 30 Under 30 it gave him the opportunity to reflect back on the fact that he’s now made his goal, and his accolades along the way.
And his employer MCN has also noticed Matthew’s capabilities. He was awarded the MCN All Rounder award, a recognition of and MCN employee who embodies the company’s core values of knowledge, integrity, personal growth, innovation and passion.
On top of that, his abilities to be a stellar TV rep have earned Matthew the Mindshare TV Rep of the Year Award and a nomination for NSW TV Rep of the Media I Awards.
For Matthew, there’s two components that makes a solid leader; vision and a strong focus on people. Being the eldest in a large family, Matthew has the skills to communicate with numerous types of people. No doubt he probably had to hold a few siblings apart and negotiate. However, while enjoys being around people, a necessity for him in being a good leader, he doesn’t want to be seen as a people person. Rather he’d prefer to be seen as a leader figure that can inspire and instil confidence within his peers and work colleagues.
And we’re too email focused, he says. We’re in the communication industry, and yet most of the communicating is done electronically. We need to operate in more human elements.
“It would be interesting to see how many people who work with each other on a day-to-day basis have still not met face to face and are only a name behind an email,” he says. “‘Nice to e-meet you’ and ‘keyboard warrior’ are terms used too frequently.”
Tyla Harrington – Editor at McPherson Media Group
Hailing from the good ol’ country, Tyla’s media career has been centred on regional media papers. And boy has she done a stellar of a job! At the tender age of 18 she entered into a three-year cadetship with the Pastoral Times in Deniliquin before making the switch to the Riverine Herald as its digital editor.
While her post was only supposed to be managing the country paper’s social media channels, country paper’s being what they were, Tyla would end up writing hordes for the paper’s three issues a week. Recently she was made editor of the paper’s newest magazine Bella, a bi-monthly magazine targeting women readers with strong, positive stories about what women in the twin towns are achieving.
As a journalist Tyla has delivered major exclusives for the paper, such as a series on domestic violence culminating in a dramatic interview with a well-known local doctor about her years of beating and abuse, exposed a $500,000 budget blowout in the maintenance of a council owned paddle steamer – a debt to be carried by ratepayers and championed a gay man’s local campaign for marriage equality, which saw Campaspe Shire reject its negative stance.
But despite being in the communications business, as an industry, we’re not as well versed in our own communication, believes Tyla. Her chatter with other journos shows it’s consistent across the board.
She’s the youngest editor at the McPherson Media Group – the group behind the Riverine Herald, and will be the only non-executive member of the company invited to take part in its five-year strategic planning. She’s also the only one under 40 that will attend the planning.
“I am a future leader because I am already a leader now and am making the most of some outstanding mentoring by our group editor, who has a long and high-profile career in metropolitan and regional media.”
Sammy Lewis – group sales manager at REA Group
During a tragic time her family was facing, Sammy found herself with a degree she wasn’t using, working at a bar in Newcastle and stuck in a rut. One morning she woke up with the realisation if she didn’t do something, nothing was going to change. Which is how, on that fateful day in 2010, she applied for a bunch of media roles in Sydney. She travelled to the city with her mum, interviewed at five different places on Tuesday, accepted a job on Thursday, moved to Sydney on Saturday and started as the new media sales coordinator at Telstra Media on Monday.
After Telstra she jumped ship to Big Mobile as an account manager, then onto REA Group in their media team. Recognising her talent, in June 2015 she won the coveted Media Sales Person of the Year Award. It meant she finished the 2015 financial year in the top one per cent of performers globally and had met and exceeded all assigned KPIs. Off the back of those results, she was promoted to group sales manager at just 27, something she didn’t think was possible before turning 30.
Still, she recognises the industry has an issue with gender diversity. “This year’s international women’s day once again, brought to light gender disparity,” she says.
“What struck me so resolutely this year however, was that the media industry still has a long way to go and discrimination based on gender remains rife in our broader industry. While some improvements have definitely been made, a lot of media companies have been very slow to adopt transparency in pay and superannuation during parental leave.”
However it’s showed her how grateful she is for working in REA Group.
“I am surrounded by ambitious, tenacious, strong women every day. I got to work every day feeling supported to achieve my best in every possible way.”
Latest 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.