Women In Media Profile: Nicola Lewis
B&T believes that women should be recognised for their inspiring everyday efforts – they should be given a fair shot and a seat at the table; someone for younger, aspiring female leaders to look up to. So come one, come all, because in celebration of our annual Women in Media Awards, we’ve created a Women in Media Profile Series!
Our last inspiring profile was on none other than Imogen Hewitt, group managing director at Havas Media and one of the fabulous winners at last year’s awards.
And now it’s time for you to meet Nicola Lewis, who was recently promoted to chief investment officer at GroupM! If that’s not something to look up to, we don’t know what is.
Guiltiest pleasure?
Watching Gladiator on repeat, whilst eating Turkish delight, and drinking a bottle of Pinot Noir (I feel so guilty about these things, I’ve actually never done all three together!).
Your house is on fire (people and animals are fine). What is the one possession you would you save?
A 1950s bar I picked up on the side of the road in Sydney’s Kings Cross and lovingly restored by hand using a very small sandpaper mouse.
It was all I had at the time, and it took me days to complete, but it’s beautiful.
What profession, other than your own, would you never want to attempt?
I’m easily distracted and can lose interest easily, so I’d say an Air traffic controller… Imagine the carnage!
What profession, other than your own, would you love to attempt?
A criminal psychologist.
Another seven years of study didn’t appeal to me at the age of 21 after a university degree in social psychology.
It’s funny how your perspective changes, thinking back now, I know that seven years is just a tiny fragment of anyone’s life.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Your career is not only the result of the hard work you put in, but of how successful those around you want you to be.
That’s why you should surround yourself with people who care about and will invest in your future.
What’s your proudest professional moment?
It would have to be my most recent promotion to chief investment officer of GroupM following a hugely challenging period of my life where I faced breast cancer.
I believe my strength of character and overall positivity towards life, not only carried me through the most challenging times, but also allowed me to emerge out the other side to continue doing what I love with a promotion to boot.
What women do you find inspiring?
My beautiful girl friends around the world – from Sydney, to London, New York and across Europe. It’s not always leaders or high-profile figures that offer the biggest inspiration.
I have been blessed with truly amazing friendships throughout my life. Each and every one of my close girl friends are strong, caring, smart, funny, driven, loving and very, very supportive.
I look up to them with equal amount of respect and admiration.
What advice would you give to young aspiring women?
Be human, respectful, honest, open and fun, but more than anything else, just be nice to others.
Why are women vital to your industry?
As with anything in society, balance is key, and women are vital to achieving this whether it’s our industry or elsewhere.
Women make men better as much as men make women better. I think that’s an undeniable truth.
B&T‘s Women in Media Awards 2018 will be held on Friday 17 August 2018 at Doltone House – Jones Bay Wharf. Grab early bird tickets to the event here and find all other info on the website.
Latest News
‘A Very Rare Breed Of Creative’ – Clemenger BBDO hires Chief Creative Officer
B&T's chatting with Clems boss Dani Bassil on Adrián Flores CCO appointment. We never got to Italian or Thai herbs.
Concrete Playground Debuts Innovative Urban Exploration Platform With Lexus As Launch Partner
Concrete Playground announced the launch of its redesigned website in partnership with Lexus. This partnership introduces a new era of urban discovery, enabling a deeper, more intuitive engagement with cities through a state-of-the-art digital platform. Revolutionised Digital Experience Concrete Playground’s website has undergone a significant transformation, designed to enhance the way users interact with their […]
Mindshare And The Brand Agency Take Top April’s New Business Rankings
Which agencies soared like an eagle for the month of April? As in stellar performance, not Eddie the hapless ski jumper.
Suntory BOSS Coffee Fuels Ambition With New Campaign From It’s Friday
Does your workplace have a strict, policed illegal drug policy? Then Suntory BOSS Coffee will have to do.
Resolution Digital Wins MyPlates Media Account
The best thing about personalised number plates is it makes spotting wankers on the road far easier. And drug kingpins.
Debunking The “Three Year Lie”: A New Approach To Retail Digital Strategy
This columnist says it's wrong to claim digital always has a three-year pay off. Has no opinion on the seven-year itch.
TV Ratings (06/05/2024): The Farmer Is Back And He Wants A Wife
It was a good night for lovers of farming and love.
The Growth Distillery Unveils The New Rules Of Influence
The New Rules Of Influence has arrived. And there appears to be no "difficult second album" syndrome here.
Whittaker’s Launch New Brand Platform, ‘Hello Chocolate Lovers’ Via Bastion Shine
New Zealand chocolate brand continues its insidious march into the Aussie market. Much like New Zealanders themselves.
Tyro Shows They Are ‘Into Business Big Time’ With New Brand Campaign Via Howatson+Company
Think finance isn't funny? Think again with this fun work. Yes, it still applies to funeral homes & Clive Palmer ads.
IAB Study Finds 66% Of Advertisers Have Five Or Less Years Experience With Affiliate & Partnership Marketing
Study finds advertisers & agencies not overly experienced with affiliate marketing. The opposite to networking drinks.
Optus Names NBN boss Stephen Rue As New CEO
In what would've been a delicious irony, alas this Optus news didn't get leaked in a major security beach.
Indy Enigma Delivers Signage For NSW’S First Purpose-built Surf Park
Is the fear of shark attack holding you back from a professional surfing career? This new surf park could be the ticket.
Houston Ramps Up Creative Capability, Appoints Two Senior Creatives
Houston - we don't have a problem! Well, not anymore with the appointment of these other-worldly recruits.
JCDecaux Secures All Major Bus Advertising Contracts Across Sydney
Do you like your ads to arrive 25 minutes later than scheduled? JCDecaux now boasts Transport for NSW's bus ad contract.
CommBank Launches The Brighter Side TV On 10 And 10 Play
Commbank teams with 10 for a new financial literacy program. Pensioners and the unemployed are advised not to watch.
IMAA Announces Next Female Leaders Of Tomorrow Programme
Here's a top initiative by the IMAA that B&T's proud to get behind. Unlike the 20 hotdogs in 20 minutes challenge.
Fast 10: Avid Collective’s Luke Spano On Building Deeper Relationships With Local Publishers & Advertisers
Avid Collective's Luke Spano takes on B&T's fast 10 questions. Well, 11 if you include "did you have a nice weekend?"
QMS Boosts NSW Billboard Network With Australian Turf Club Agreement
The QMS team seemingly now the ones to ask for a hot tip at Rosehill after partnering with the Australian Turf Club.
VMO Signs Deal With Stockland Shopping Centres
Often visit Stockland malls only to forget the very reason you came in the first place? Let VMO give you a gentle prod.
Day Management Appoints Paramount’s Tim Wall As Head Of Talent And Publicity
Paramount's Tim Wall exits the TV business after 12 years. Confesses the Rove years were the most taxing.
Poppet’s Postive Party Celebrates First Birthday At New HQ
Think first birthdays and fairy bread and dirty nappies spring to mind. Not to say it didn't happen at this one either.
Enjoy A Hahn Solo… And May The Fourth Be With You
If anything, this campaign does beg the question - at what age does Star Wars cut off as a cultural phenomenon?
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.