30 Under 30 A Decade On: Aaron Beashel
Have you heard the good news? B&T’s 30 Under 30 Awards are back for its 11th year, and we’re officially open for entry.
For those who don’t know, B&T‘s 30 Under 30 Awards are widely regarded as the leading showcase for the best and brightest young talent working across marketing communications.
In honour of our upcoming awards, we’re taking a look back (10 years to be exact), to see where our 2011 winners are now. First up: Aaron Beashel.
Back then, Aaron was co-founder of Launchpad6, which is a company that made Video CMS software that allowed agencies to very quickly create video sites. In his words, essentially what WordPress is for blogs, Launchpad6 was for video sites. He ended up selling the company, but it still exists today.
Today, he’s the co-founder of Simul Docs – a version control and collaboration tool for Microsoft Word docs used by over 5,000 people in 55 countries.
Read more from Aaron below on what his life’s been like since winning a B&T 30 Under 30 gong.
Aaron Beashel
Then: Co-founder of Launchpad6 (Video CMS software company)
Now: Co-founder of Simul Docs (collaborative tool for Microsoft Word)
How did you feel winning a B&T 30 Under 30?
Awesome! I was so early on in my career and so hungry and ambitious, and winning an award like this was super exciting for me.
Do you think you winning has affected your career at all?
It’s hard to say what impact it had. I think things like this, particularly in your early years when you may not have a huge amount of experience to lean on, really show potential employers how hungry & ambitious you are, and I think that helps get in the door in the early stages of the interview process.
So yeah, I’d say it probably helped my resume standout when it otherwise may have been overlooked.
What’s your favourite part about the industry?
I’ve always worked a little bit adjacent to the advertising industry, mainly working for companies that provide software used by the advertising industry, from Launchpad6 to InVision (a design collaboration tool used by lots of agencies) to Campaign Monitor (an email marketing tool used by lots of agencies) then Simul.
The thing I like most about the ad industry (and it’s similar in tech too) is that they recognise the value of their people and invest heavily in creating great places to work.
I think as someone who has always enjoyed fun offices, lots of perks, autonomous culture, etc I can sometimes take it for granted, but I can’t imagine ever working in finance or law where it’s very strict 9-5 hours, wearing suits and basically grinding through each week just hanging for the weekend. That sounds horrible.
What do you think needs changing?
Particularly in the tech side of the industry, maybe less in agency side, we need more diversity. And when I say that I don’t just mean gender or ethnicity, but diversity of employment background and just overall thought processes.
As an example, I can remember I’d been consulting on marketing for a particular tech company for about a year when they a hired a new VP of Marketing, who was a female. One of the first things she said to me was ‘75% of the target market are females, but our brand is incredibly masculine and male-focused, I think we need to change that’
It stopped me in my tracks because I’d been thinking about how to grow this company for a year, and not once did that occur to me. It really highlighted to me the value of diversity of thought and approach.
What’s been your biggest achievement?
I worked for Campaign Monitor when they took the $250m funding (largest ever funding round in Australian tech history) and opened offices in San Francisco, and was fortunate to be able to move over there and lead part of the marketing team.
Moving across the other side of the world, making new friends, getting comfortable in a new country, etc was WAY more challenging than I thought it would be (If you think going to the RTA is bad, wait until you have to go to the DMV).
So I’d say having the courage to move over there and the strength to push through the loneliness and hard times and ultimately make it work is one of my biggest accomplishments, and also one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in my life.
If you weren’t in the industry, what would you be doing?
Ideally, if I wasn’t in marketing/tech I’d be a professional surfer, but unfortunately, my skill level fails me a bit on that one.
I think realistically I’d be a designer of some sort. I’m always carrying on out about how User Experience shouldn’t just be a web-related thing, but something that should be thought about by every designer of every product.
My latest grievance: why do the straps on my kids car seat always sit right where I’m trying to put the child? Surely there’s a way to design it so that the straps sit to the side so you can put the kid in the car without having to dig around under said kid for the straps!
Ultimate travel destination?
Maldives. I’ve never actually been, but my god it looks good on Instagram.
What’s a hidden talent you have?
I’m actually a qualified personal trainer. A qualification I have never once put to use…
Latest News
Enjoy A Hahn Solo… And May The Fourth Be With You
This May the fourth Hahn will celebrate alongside Star Wars fans rewarding their passion via a giant Hahn travelling solo through the sky. It’s the one day of the year when all sci-fi fans rejoice and giggle to themselves and Hahn in partnership with Thinkerbell, UM and Affinity is celebrating with an out of this […]
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.