It’s MediaCom’s Nina Nguyen & The Countdown To The Women In Media Awards!
With barely 48 hours until B&T‘s unmissable Women In Media Awards, there’s no time to lose if you’re after a last minute ticket. And if you know any of our finalists, you should most certainly be in attendance to cheer them to victory! So head here to grab those tickets!
And to help you get in the mood, we’ve had a chit chat with Nina Nguyen, head of MediaCom Beyond Advertising (MBA) Sydney, to discuss a few talking points before the big night. Enjoy Nina’s wisdom right here!
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learnt throughout your career?
That you need to have integrity in everything you do. We are in the services industry which is heavily focused on client service, but that doesn’t mean that you need to be a ‘yes’ person all the time. I’ve noticed there seems to be difficulty in presenting unfavorable news to clients or that clients may make requests without historically understanding the impact. It’s our job to deliver expertise and I believe that to perform our best, with integrity and representing our business, we need to be transparent with clients.
Drawing on your own experience, what advice would you give to young women starting out in the industry?
I have a few pieces of advice:
- To be curious and ask lots of questions to satisfy that thirst for knowledge.
- Schedule meetings to meet people and network up – you never know where these people will pop up next and how these connections will help you throughout your career.
- Lastly, set big challenges for yourself. Never be afraid to put yourself out there.
What have been some of the biggest challenges for you throughout your career?
One of the biggest challenges that I’ve had is a personal one as a mum. When I came back from maternity leave, I put tremendous pressure on myself to deliver the same output and hours that I did before, and to also to be there for my young family. This didn’t work, and then the guilt sunk in that I wasn’t there nearly enough for my family at home, nor my work family.
Eventually, I overcame this when I changed roles, and one of the first conversations I had with my manager was how we best work together. This is so important, and we discussed how we liked to be communicated to, how often, and ways of working. Work flexibility was discussed and four years on I can say it works fabulously well.
This year’s B&T Women In Media feature focused on women with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. What are your thoughts on diversity in the industry? What do you think could be done to make the industry more inclusive?
I come from a Chinese-Vietnamese background and I can say the industry has come a long way since I started my career back in 2004.
At the time, there were only a handful of Asian people in the industry and I think it comes from being a first generation Aussie. At the time, advertising and media was not something that was known as a profession nor was I exposed to it.
You can read memes now about professions in the Asian community that are deemed as prestigious and it’s not far from the truth – I don’t think I even know the word in Chinese for advertising or media. To this day, I’m sure my grandpa thinks I’m an accountant. I guess I am in a way, as I oversee the commercials for the department.
In all seriousness, the industry could get more involved in orientation days to seed the idea of what it is that we do. I think for an industry that sells our clients’ products for a living, we don’t do as great a job selling what it is we do ourselves.
Lastly, what can we do as an industry to encourage more female participation in leadership roles?
Events like The 3% Conference and Women in Media Awards all shine the spotlight on females in leadership roles, so more of these will inspire future leaders to aspire to get to these positions. Having strong female mentors and coaches can also help provide stories for the next wave of leaders.
Please login with linkedin to comment
Advertising Standards Bureau agency Nina Nguyen something rotten Women in Media Awards 2017Latest News
DMARGE Founder Unveils Creator-Led Social Media Agency Feedstar
New creator-led social media agency Feedstar to be aimed directly at Gen Zs. Well, they'd hardly want print, would they?
TV Ratings (02/05/2024): A total of 1,753,000 Aussies Witness Port Adelaide’s Defeat
Seven's AFL numbers almost double that of the NRL last night. The NRL still easily winning for ruptured ACLs.
Hotglue Cashes In With La Trobe Financial Digital Media Account
Hotglue staffers learning their cashflows from their collaterals today after nabbing La Trobe Financial's digital media.
M&C Saatchi’s Sydney Creative Lead Exits
B&T's stopping short of calling it a revolving door at M&C at the present, but there's definitely heat on the hinges.
Taylor Swift’s Music Re-Enters TikTok As Universal Pens Landmark Deal
Yes, B&T may have spent 152 hours failing to get Taylor Swift tickets, but, as you'll read here, it's all behind us now.
HAVAS Red launches inaugural Influencer White Paper
Havas Red has debuted its first influencer white paper. Unless you print it out in colour, of course.
Two Sides Global Campaign Reports Increasing Greenwashing As Organisations Focus On Sustainability
New report confirms greenwashing's on the rise. Apparently Mars' 'work, rest & play' claims also under investigation.
Aruga Launches New HQ & Changed Ownership Structure
PR agency Aruga proves Brisbane is 'so hot right now'. So hot in fact, Adelaide's had to go on anti-anxiety meds.
Delicious & American Express Partner To Launch Month Out 2024 In Sydney
Cost of living got you eating noodles prepared in the two-minute style? Why not live vicariously through this.
Aussie Ad Market Continues Decline In March
The belt-tightening in adland shows signs of a turnaround soon. Bar the belt-loosening at the all-you-can-eat buffet.
VMA Focuses On Skills And Training For Members
If there was a post-COVID hangover (bar the anti-vax ranters) it was the rise in skills shortages. Here's another one.
Nearly 90% Of Consumers Want Transparency About AI Images, Finds Getty Images Report
Study finds consumers want transparency around AI images. Couldn't care less about photoshopped magazine covers.
The National Breast Cancer Foundation Partners With VML To Boost Funds
Anyone else feel we've exhausted the office morning tea for cancer? B&T proposes the office moonshine still instead.
Perry ‘Pez’ Lazaris Named New National Hit Network Announcer
Why is it mandatory for the media to only publish the nicknames of people in radio & underworld crime figures?
Before Adland: Garry Dawson’s Journey From Teacher To Marketer
Here, the Hopeful Monsters marketer talks his shift from the classroom to the room wherever marketers congregate.
Scott Cam Urges Tradies To Prioritise Sun Protection
The Block host promoting sun protection to tradies. Also, don't try getting into the RSL after 6pm wearing high viz.
PubMatic Study: Advertising On Retail Media Is 50% More Effective Than Social Media
New study finds retail media 50% more effective than social. B&T says two-for-one Tim Tams trumps the lot.
From MOWING to life GROWING: Jim Penman launches ‘Life Coaching’ services
Can't decide on getting the hedges trimmed or finding a deeper meaning to life? You're in luck with this new venture.
Budweiser Brazil Turns Songs That Name Drop The Iconic Brand Into Spotify Ads
It's strange that Budweiser never found a market among beer-swilling Aussies. Then again, neither did the fluffy duck.
Effie Worldwide Strengthens Board With 6 New Members
B&T hopes everyone's wearing their Maseur sandals at the Effies, as it's standing room only at the next board meeting.
Special Enlist A Penguin Named Nigel In Latest Energy Campaign For Contact
Special unveils Nigel the penguin in work for energy provider Contact. Apparently Percy the peacock was booked.
Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth & George Miller Ignite Sydney For Epic Mad Max Launch
The Mad Max film franchise is Australia's cinematic gift to the world. That & Chris Hemsworth's near perfect cheekbones.
IAS Launches First-To-Market Integration With Roblox To Provide 3D Immersive Measurement
Always thought you could do with better 3D immersive measurement? Happy days are ahead here.
Fast And Furious: Top Gear Australia Launch Thrilled Motorheads, Car Entusiasts And Guests
B&T is still no closer to knowing who the new Stig is, except that she is a woman and a ridiculously fast.
TV Ratings (02/05/2024): Seven’s The 1% Club Wins The Night
The 1% club did not live up to its name when it comes to TV ratings last night.
TRA Welcomes Raft Of New Hires; Bolstering Expertise Across Markets
Insights and research agency TRA announces slew of new hires. Still no news on the return of marble wash denim, however.
CX Lavender Hires Boston Consulting Group’s Kim Verbrugghe as Chief Strategy Officer
CX Lavender announces new strategy hire and channels 'acoustic folk act at local RSL' for the publicity pic.
Opinion: Community standards, will they be the death of us?
This columnist is talking community standards. Sadly not those people who put dogs in trolleys in supermarkets.
Tegel gets heads bobbing with new free-range chicken platform
Sure, there's a lot of moral considerations when buying a chook. Yet, not as baffling as buying eggs or canned tuna.
Study: 66% of Aussie men believe masculinity is under attack
Two-thirds of Aussie blokes say masculinity's under attack. That said, sales of Solo lemon drink appear robust.
‘Equal Writes’: Canyon reveals new campaign and refreshed brand for women and non-binary writers
As this brand redesign again proves, nothing beats black on white. Well, white on black in this instance.
Icon Agency bolsters consumer and integrated offer with major hires
Icon Agency unveils new recruits. As press photo confirms office moustache competition now a lay-down misère.
Clemenger launches agricultural graduate program
Has Farmer Wants A Wife triggered an interest in dagging & hay balers? This grads program may resonate.
Levi’s Appoint UM As Global Media Agency For $217m Account
Levi's are the jeans for rockstars, models & the cool kids. Although that's not stopped dads from ruining their image.
QMS Nabs Sean Rigby From oOh!media
Things set to get spicy at the next Outdoor Media Association dinner and dance as a rival gets poached.
Bumble Reveals New Brand Identity To Usher In New Era Of Dating
It's ironic that all the dating apps market themselves as having no weirdos, freaks or mummy's boys like their rivals.